Over spring break, Dr. Shari Veil, Dean of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications, took students abroad for the first international offering of “Military Public Affairs,” a course she previously taught on campus at Nebraska.
This inaugural study abroad program immersed students in the heart of international governance and military communications in Brussels, Belgium.
The course provided firsthand experience for students, including several ROTC cadets and reservists, by connecting them directly with public affairs professionals working within global governments. Drawing on her military network, Veil worked with Major General Craig Strong, Director of the Nebraska Military Department and Nebraska Emergency Management, and Captain Henry E. Plimack, USCGR (Ret), Naval Services Section Vice President at the Reserve Organization of America (ROA) to help coordinate visits to key international institutions shaping defense and diplomacy.
During the week abroad, students visited the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Headquarters, European Union Council, Belgian Parliament, and the State Department’s European Media Hub. These visits, along with meetings with public affairs officers and foreign officials, gave students an inside look at how communication strategies influence diplomacy, defense, and policymaking at the highest levels.
Veil’s goal was to expand students’ understanding of military and public service careers, emphasizing the crucial work of public affairs officers, communicators, and strategic advisors who shape public perception, manage crises, and facilitate communication between governments and their publics.
“There are so many different career opportunities in the military,” Veil said. “I wanted to make sure our students were exposed to those opportunities, here in Nebraska and around the world.”
In preparation for the travel portion of the course, Veil brought in guest speakers who shared their experiences and provided insight on the role of public affairs officers in the military. Among the guest speakers were several prominent Naval officers including; Vice Admiral (Ret.) Ted Carter, President of The Ohio State University; former President of the U.S. Naval War College; Captain Dave Hecht, Director of Public Affairs and Outreach for United States Fleet Forces Command; Captain Patrick Evans, Director of Public Affairs for U.S. Central Command; Commander Jennifer Franco, Public Affairs Officer for the Joint Planning Support Element and former ROA Executive Committee member; and Lieutenant Commander Courtney Callaghan, Force Public Affairs Officer for the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, who Zoomed into the class while on deployment in the Red Sea.
Additional speakers with strong Nebraska ties included: Major General Craig Strong, The Adjutant General Nebraska National Guard; Colonel Loren Bymer, USA (Ret), former Director of Public Affairs for U.S. Army Special Operations Command; Colonel Brus Vidal, USAF, Director of Public Affairs for U.S. Strategic Command; Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Hynes, (Ret), Chief of Public Affairs for the Nebraska National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters; Major Matthew Miller, USAF (Ret), Deputy Chief of Public Affairs for U.S. Strategic Command; and Staff Sergeant Lisa Crawford, Public Affairs Specialist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
For many students, the experience was transformative. Meeting high-level communicators and commanders not only deepened their understanding of military public affairs, but it also opened new possibilities for their own futures.
Senior political science major Kendall Bartling said the opportunity to experience the course abroad made all the difference. “I felt that the course being taught on-site in Brussels was not just unique, but integral to my understanding and takeaways from the trip,” Bartling said. “Meeting PAOs from a variety of countries, including the U.S., brought a lot of value.”
Isabelle Bree, a senior philosophy major enlisted in the Nebraska National Guard, said the experience changed her perspective on the field. “This class challenged me to understand the role of public affairs specifically in a military sense,” Bree said. “A PAO’s role in media, communication, and public relations is more critical than I thought prior to this class.”
“Bringing students into these international spaces exposed them to opportunities they never imagined,” Veil said. “I hope they came back with a stronger sense of what’s possible, and the confidence to pursue those paths.”
This inaugural international course marked a significant milestone for the program, blending academic rigor with immersive real-world experiences. By the end of the week in Brussels, students left with a deeper appreciation for the vital role of public affairs in global governance and a clearer vision for how their own careers might bridge communication, diplomacy, and public service.
