Class of 2024 Dean of Students Welcome

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This position exists because of you-To serve you. 

The Dean of Students is your advocate in the University and College; that is my primary job. 

Don’t confuse the Rank of the position; its not designed to create separation from you.  It’s an O6 to fight through the Bureaucracy in the University and College to assist you and keep you in class.

If things are not going well, challenges in a class, with a faculty member, family/life challenges etc-please see me.  Early is better.

The Dean of Students

Key is to keep you in class.

Use this week to figure out the ‘online/virtual’ process.

You can have video/audio one minute and lose it the next.  Play around with your system to figure out what works.  I know on line that I have to unplug my speaker and replug it back in

We 

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Administrative Notes (1 of 3)

Student Handbook.  Please review and ask about any questions.  You will find it linked in Blackboard.

Instruction. All instruction will be in person.  This is subject to change.

Attendance.  You are expected to participate in all scheduled class sessions and activities.  You are being paid to be here, unlike a normal graduate school where attendance is optional - your place of duty is in class.  

Academic Day.  Tuesday and Wednesday can be long days 0830-1745.  Think through your child care-early drop off and late pick up. Mondays and Thursdays we are done by 1630 and most Fridays by 1130.

Academics.   36 Credit Hour degree in 9 months (9 CORE Courses and 3 electives)

20-25 Classroom/Contact Hours a week

Plan on 40+ Reading and Research hours ‘outside’ of class

White space (free time) exists you have to figure out how best to manage it.

Student HB Link is on the NDU Homepage under CIC College JPME II Incoming Students

It is also under Course Information in the SLFC BB Folder.

We are also working to get hard copies printed for you as well

If you do come on campus ensure you notify the Dean of Students (CAPT Zirkle-starting today) and your seminar leader.  We have some reporting requirments and if enough of you are here we might be able to assist with in person learning

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Administrative Notes (2 of 2)

Inclement Weather.  NDU follows OPM.  This is the best way to get accurate information. You will also get info via blackboard from your instructor—configured via email or by logging in.  Follow their specific guidance-expect to do virtual if the government shuts down or we are delayed.  

https://www.opm.gov/

Driving.  Ft McNair and DC both enforce hands free use of mobile devices.  Also, look out for pedestrians—they have the right of way.  The Ft McNair speed limit is 20mph, but there are several 15 mph zones to include in front of Marshall/Lincoln Hall.  MPs like to give tickets and they rarely give warnings.  Save your time and money!

Commute.  Class starts at 0830.  Commuting dynamics  will change after Labor Day.  Accidents happen and cause traffic jams.  Fort McNair gate backs up.  Class starts at 0830.  You would not show up to a meeting late don’t show up to class late.

Parking.  Don’t park in reserved spaces.  Raised Sign-not painted

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Student Government

Class President:  (Senior US Military)

Class Vice President:   (Senior Civilian)

International CIC Leader:  (Senior International Fellow)

‘Hopps’ Management:

Year Book Rep

Sports Rep:

Social Rep:

Academic Rep:

Others??:

***If you want something ask (‘Hopps’-The CIC Student lounge was the AY 19-20 student ‘idea’ that we assisted them in realizing.)

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My Thoughts..... (1 of 3)

YOUR Priorities:  Establish them now and share with someone who will hold you accountable.

Academics may not be #1.    

For the military-this is probably your last ‘break’ until you retire or remove yourself from the train.

Opportunity to fix your family and/ or even your body.

Prepare yourself to be a Senior Leader:  

One of your last chances to really broaden yourself, think and reflect.

My life as an O6  (Civ-Mil relations and Solving complex problems with limited resources)

The War College Experience’

Contacts, Contacts, Contacts (This was the most important part of my experience)

Get Outside your comfort Zone; Electives are a great Opportunity for that

Learn about the other Services, Nations and Interagency partners  (What makes them tick?)

Requirements above the Academics that DO NOT COUNT toward Contact hours.

Family

Spend time with them.

May be one of the last times you can have dinner with them every night.

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My Thoughts (cont) ..... (2 of 3)

Academics:  

Masters Degree in 10 months is tough! (Actually its 9 months-mid May you are really done)

Spring Semester is long and tough; stay ahead of your work in Fall.

2022 with 47 students:  Lowest GPA was 3.33; 3.78 was dead center, 2 perfect 4.0.

Military AERs and Evaluations-most of you will be ‘average’

Many non-Academic requirements that you will have to attend.  

Research and Writing Days.

We treat you like Adults

Typically, on a Friday tied to a Federal Holiday on Monday (i.e. 4-day weekend)

Have fun, but this is designed for you to focus on your papers. ZERO Sympathy in May

Elective Time Blocks.

4 Time Blocks each week starting in September

You will do 3 electives over the course of the year; typically, 2 in the Fall and 1 in the Spring

International Fellows:  The American Studies program covers you (Summer/Fall/Spring).

When you are not in an elective those open time blocks are yours.

Step outside your comfort zone-broaden yourself (Seek additional arrows for your quiver)

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My Thoughts (cont) ..... (3 of 3)

Life is Going to Happen:  Your average age is 45, older children, elderly parents.  Be up front and honest with the right Faculty member(s)

A parent or child will require immediate attention. Children will have to visit (hopefully) college Campus.

Your body will fall apart and require major surgery.

Look Deep on the Calendar to schedule Appointments

In AY 22				Last 4 years

-4 students lost a parent			(Average 2 a year)

-1 student had a surprise divorce		(First time)	

-1 student welcomed a new child		(average 1 a year)	

-1 student was pregnant most of the year		(First time)

-1 student had a major life tragedy		(average 1 a year)

-2 students' body’s fell apart on them		(average 1 a year)

Eisenhower School lost 2 students in 2022 and 1 student in 2021  (take care of yourself and look after your medical needs, get your routine check ups done)

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My door is ALWAYS open(and I have treats....)

OFFICE:  Marshall Hall 202A (directly across from the Library)

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email:  Jonathan.r.Beasley.mil@ndu.edu

Office:  202-685-3891

Cell:  202-277-8572

I’m in a unique position where I can say I bribe my students with candy to come see me and not go to jail.....

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1 August

Expect minor changes to this for 2023-2024

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Higher Learning Outcomes(Masters)

Joint Learning Areas (JLA) Ref: CJCSI 1800.01F, 15 May 2020

JLA 1 – Strategic Thinking and Communication.

JLA 2 – The Profession of Arms.

JLA 3 – The Continuum of Competition, Conflict, and War.

JLA 4 – The Security Environment.

JLA 5 – Strategy and Joint Planning.

JLA 6 – Globally Integrated Operations.

CJCS Special Areas of Emphasis (SAE) Ref:  CM-0108-19, 6 May 2019

1. The Return to Great Power Competition

2. Globally Integrated Operations in the Information Environment

3. Strategic Deterrence in the 21st Century

4. Modem Electromagnetic Spectrum Battlefield

5. Space as a Warfighting Domain

6. Ability to Write Clear and Concise Military Advice Recommendations

7.  Irregular Warfare (Enduring)

8.  Nuclear capability and posture (Enduing)

Title X U.S. Code

National Military Strategy

Joint Planning

Joint Doctrine

Joint C2

Joint Force and Requirements

Operational Contracting

National Security Strategy

Theatre Strategy and Campaigning

Joint Planning Process and Systems

Joint, IA, Multi-National Integration

Desired Leader Attributes (DLA)-Ref CJCSI 1800.01F, 15 May 2020

1.  Understand the security environment and contributions of all instruments of national power.

2.  Respond to surprise and uncertainty.

3.  Recognize change and lead transitions.

4.  Operate on intent through trust, empowerment, and understanding (Mission Command).

5.  Make ethical decisions based on shared values of the profession of arms.

6.  Think critically and strategically in applying joint warfighting principles and concepts to joint operations. 

NDU Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILO). Ref NDU Policy Guidance for AY 2022-2023, 03 March 2022

ILO 1:   Foster collaborative relationships across joint, interagency, international, and cultural boundaries

ILO 2:  Demonstrate critical and creative thinking in support of national security decision-making.

ILO 3:  Create strategy and policy options in support of national security interests

ILO4:   Communicate effectively to provide clear and concise military and policy recommendations  

All the things CIC is told they ‘MUST’ teach

Academics

Code of Conduct.  The strength of the University and this College is built upon a foundation of trust that demands excellence in professional conduct and ethical standards.  Students will not lie, cheat, or steal or behave in any way that discredits themselves or their fellow students.  

Academic Integrity.  We have a zero-tolerance policy towards plagiarism and other breaches of academic integrity (falsification of credentials, unauthorized collaboration, multiple submissions of the same work).  Academic integrity boards are not pleasant for anyone, but they are known to happen here.  When in doubt, cite; don’t copy and paste from sources, and manage your time.  We have tools like SafeAssign and your instructor is available if you have questions or need help before you submit.  

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Presidents Lecture Series (PLS)Chancellors Lecture Series (CLS)

Normally Wednesday morning in Lincoln Hall Auditorium

This is a ‘DRESS’ Event  (Class A Military, Suit and Tie for Civilians)

Colleges rotate responsibility to introduce the Speaker and Moderate the Question-and-Answer sessions (Student led)

CIC does a Post PLS/CLS Discussion in Seminar Rooms

Discuss the Communication style and techniques of the Speaker

Discuss the message the speaker delivered

You can switch clothes after the PLS for the rest of the Academic Day

Academics Awards

Distinguished Graduates:  Top 10% of class.  57 students= 6

Chancellors Award:  The number 1 Distinguished Graduate

Best Individual Student research Paper:  Winner and 2 runner ups

Chair Writing Award: Up to 6 students

Student Peer Leader Award:  Winner and runner up

Outstanding International Fellow  Winner and runner up

University Writing Awards:  Many opportunities (Full brief in the 1st week)

I’ll go over these in great detail on Friday at my end of the week close out

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Electives Part 1

Concentrations and Electives

You Do Not have to do a Concentration

Concentrations are normally 2 courses, some are 3 courses

CIC requires 6 credits of electives

Majority of NDU Electives are 2 Credits (small handful that are 4)

Most of you will take 3 electives

You can overload (Dean of Students Approval)

You can take electives from other Colleges 

International Fellows are automatically enrolled in the American Studies Concentration  (Program takes 14 American Fellows-very competitive)

Director or ISMO Approval to be moved out of this Concentration 

Director of ISMO and Dean of Students approval to overload (Several each year)

Electives Part 2

Electives run in 4 Blocks on Tuesday and Wednesday Afternoons

Block 1 (Tue) and Block 3 (Wed)  1330-1530

Block 2 (Tue) and Block 4 (Wed)  1540-1730

Electives have 12 Lessons

Starting with Lesson 7 the time slots switch (All courses will have a 1540-1740 period)

Don’t pick electives based upon times

Where are your gaps in knowledge that an elective can assist?

Does something that just really interests you?

9 August:  NDU will give an overview of the Concentration

16 August:  NDU will hold the Fall Electives Fair

18 October:  Spring Electives Fair

Fall Electives:  12 September-6 December 2023

Spring Electives:  9 January-28 March 2024

PracticumDomestic and International Travel

Domestic

   -Fall:  Gettysburg (Early September) 

2 days event (leave on Thursday and return on a Friday)

   -Spring:  NYC and United States Military Academy (Late MAR-early APR)

NYC Crisis C2 , Banking Security, UN and Cyber Research Center

4 day event (leave on Monday and return on a Thursday)

International

   -International Fellows go on Western Field Study (late APR-early May))

   -US Students break into 2 COHORTS (late APR-early May)

 COHORT 1:  PACOM South (Hawaii and Australia)

 COHORT 2:  EUCOM

  Plan on a 7 day trip

Think through Family Care plans

Individual Student Research Project(ISRP)

DUE:  10 May 2024

Follow the Course Milestones.  

They are aggressive but are in place to help keep you in track

You only have 9 months to complete

You can turn it in early

Don’t Panic when:

You can’t decide what you want to write and research about.

You come back after Winter Break and decide you want to go a different direction (this will be at least 2 of you-A tough road but can be done)

A major world event proves or disproves your research/ thesis  (Ok-we will work with you to complete a product-have had at least 1 of these each year)

Plenty of Reading and Research days over the year; ZERO Sympathy when May rolls around.

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