The Political Science Department and the Arctic and Northern Studies Program are proud to announce that Professor Brandon Boylan along with two students, Cole Osowski (a Political Science major) and Nels Ure (a Climate and Arctic Sustainability major in the Arctic and Northern Studies Program), recently attended the Student Conference on U.S. Affairs (SCUSA) at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

SCUSA is an annual event that brings together students from around the world to engage in discussions on some of the most pressing challenges facing U.S. foreign policy today. During the conference, Cole participated in a session on African politics, and Nels in one on Russian affairs. Both students worked with their peers to produce policy briefs on these regions, which they then presented to the entire conference.

Professor Boylan co-chaired a roundtable on Arctic conflict and cooperation, where he led discussions with students and experts on this timely issue. He spoke highly of the experience, stating, "I couldn't be more proud of Cole and Nels for participating in the U.S. Military Academy's Class of 1971 Student Conference on U.S. Affairs."

In addition to working in the sessions, students interacted with leading experts in their respective foreign policy fields.

Nels shared his enthusiasm for the opportunity, saying, "SCUSA was an incredible opportunity to network with students passionate about domestic and foreign politics, international affairs, and pressing global issues. It was an experience to say the least living with cadets and getting various civilian and military perspectives on our respective issues. Each roundtable was chaired by senior advisors with extensive experience, providing invaluable insights. I truly enjoyed the chance to connect with both peers and professionals."

Cole also reflected positively on the experience: "Participating in my SCUSA roundtable gave me insights into U.S. strategies at countering Chinese and Russian influence in Africa. The overarching theme of the four day conference — crafting U.S. foreign policy in a multipolar world — tied in with the U.S. Foreign Policy course I'm taking with Professor Boylan. I would like to give appreciation to Professor Boylan, the cadets and staff at West Point, and the office of Undergraduate Research & Scholarly Activity. My round table focused on 'Africa: Managing the Threats and Opportunities of Multipolarity.' The main takeaway from my experience was a better appreciation for the importance of collaboration, discourse, and diversity of thought in opinion in foreign policymaking. Well over 100 institutions were represented and each student in my roundtable provided valuable insights that strengthened our final memo."

The SCUSA conference offered UAF students and faculty an unparalleled opportunity to engage with leading experts in the field of U.S. foreign policy and connect with peers from across the world. Their participation reflects UAF’s commitment to fostering global engagement and equipping students with the skills to address some of the most pressing international challenges.

Congratulations to Professor Boylan, Cole Osowski, and Nels Ure for their outstanding representation of UAF at this prestigious event.