By UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
Seth Kastle, Assistant Professor of Leadership Studies and Director of Military Program Innovation at Fort Hays State University, has been named one of 34 scholars who will form the George W. Bush Institute’s Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program’s fifth annual class. The program is a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at individuals serving our nation’s veterans and their families who are motivated to broaden their skillsets, knowledge, and influence across the country.
Scholars were selected after a rigorous application and interview process. Throughout the five-month program, they will meet with a variety of nationally-known and distinguished professionals, educators, and experts in veteran transition and leadership development, including the eighth United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald, retired United States Air Force General Alfred Flowers, and Bush Institute Senior Fellow Dr. Deborah Birx. They will attend the first three sessions at the George W. Bush Presidential Center and travel to Washington, D.C., for the fourth session. The program will conclude at the Bush Center in November.
Kastle has been with FHSU for 10 years. He is a retired Army First Sergeant and teaches in the FHSU Leadership Studies Program. During his time at FHSU, he has developed multiple academic programs and partnerships to assist the military community in reaching their educational goals. In 2019 FHSU launched the Associate of Applied Science in Technology and Leadership degree that Kastle developed in partnership with the US Army Command and General Staff College. It allows service members to complete their associate degree in as little as one year by taking advantage of common core military leadership training offered among several branches.
Since its inception, more than 50 service members have completed their associate’s degrees, and many have gone on to pursue a bachelor’s degree. In 2020 Kastle worked to launch the Kansas Army National Guard Officer Candidate School Program that provides a pathway for current and prospective members of the Kansas Army National Guard to take Military Science classes at FHSU as they progress towards earning their degree and a commission as Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve.
“There is so much learning that takes place in the military,” Kastle said. “Service members are engaged in formal instruction from the first day they don the uniform. Much of it can be applied in a university setting to help service members reach their educational goals. The tide is beginning to turn in higher education, and the value of learning outside of the formal collegiate classroom is starting to be recognized. There are endless ways that universities can work to assist service members, and FHSU is doing some great work and leading the pack in this area.”
The Veteran Leadership Program is part of the Bush Institute’s commitment to developing and supporting effective leaders, and it builds on the organization’s extensive body of work on veteran transition issues. Each scholar brings a leadership project to the program. The project serves as a vehicle for them to implement what they learn in the program. The ultimate goal is to improve outcomes in veteran and military-connected communities across the United States.
During the five-month program, Kastle will develop an initiative that is focused on the creation of a Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Leadership Program. He hopes this program will help service members earn a degree that will contribute to advancement in their military career and ease their post-service transition to civilian life.
Dr. Dennis King, associate vice president at FHSU, heralded Dr. Kastle’s selection.
“I can’t think of someone more deserving of this honor than Dr. Kastle,” King said. “What he brings to the table, in addition to the support of this distinguished community, will be of great benefit to veterans and the leadership community.”
This new cohort of scholars joins an active network of more than 170 alums from four previous classes who are rising leaders – both veterans and non-veterans – from a wide range of sectors who are working to improve veteran outcomes. They serve in a variety of business and community-based leadership roles and in a variety of professional settings, including veteran-serving nonprofits, government agencies, academia, and active and reserve military service.
The 2023 program will begin on July 11 in Dallas, Texas.
George W. Bush Institute
The George W. Bush Institute is a solution-oriented nonpartisan policy organization focused on ensuring opportunity for all, strengthening democracy, and advancing free societies. Housed within the George W. Bush Presidential Center, the Bush Institute is rooted in compassionate conservative values and committed to creating positive, meaningful, and lasting change at home and abroad. We utilize our unique platform and convening power to advance solutions to national and global issues of the day. Learn more at bushcenter.org