Impact
Goals
These goals guide our ongoing efforts.
Near-Term (1 Year):
- Launch multiple new degrees with pathways that benefit our defense community including leadership, logistics, service-related fields, and healthcare—each integrating 30 percent civics content.
- Launch the Raider Immersion Program with at least five sponsored problem sets.
- Offer the Clearance Ready course and facilitate security clearances (Secret) for students on classified contracts supported by DD-254 and CRADA agreements.
- Deliver at least 16 professional development seminars for educators and 4 student summer camps.
- Expand digital civic tools, including founding father avatars, podcasts, debates, and virtual civic conversations.
- Increase scholarship access and enrollment for active-duty, reserve, and DoD-affiliated students.
- Streamline Prior Learning Assessment tools to articulate prior military service and work experience into academic credit.
Long-Term (5 Years):
- Establish five sustained degree programs with consistent student enrollment that benefit the defense community and WPAFB.
- Become a regional hub for public service training and defense-related workforce preparation.
- Expand the Raider Immersion Program to include over 25 sponsored projects and 250 student employees engaged in year-round applied work.
- Launch an Ambassador Scholarship Fund to support students pursuing civics and workforce development.
- Scale Prior Learning Assessment tools for broader adoption across Ohio institutions.
- Secure long-term sustainability through external funding and legislative support.
- Meet Ohio’s growing demand for a skilled, security-cleared workforce.
Progress
These accomplishments reflect our progress toward our mission.
Leadership Appointed
Dr. Jason Anderson (Colonel, USAF Ret.), former Dean of Students at AFIT, was named Executive Director. Deputy of Workforce hire Dr. Adam Reiman, and Deputy of Civics Dr. Michael Jacobs.
Program Launch
Developed the Civics Certificate, Clearance Ready Program, and a civics-infused undergraduate degree titled Operational Leadership and Readiness.
Civic Literacy Course Launch
This fall, Wright State University has launched its inaugural Civic Literacy course—an initiative that reflects the Center’s mission to equip students with a deeper understanding of American democratic principles and civic responsibility. With over 15 sections offered, the course is being delivered in close collaboration with the College of Liberal Arts to ensure broad, immediate access to this foundational content. The curriculum covers key political documents, historical texts, and philosophical foundations—from the Declaration of Independence to the Federalist Papers and modern civic discourse. This effort not only meets new state expectations but also positions Wright State as a leader in piloting scalable civic education models that can serve as templates for institutions across Ohio.
Scholarships
Established the Undergraduate Scholarship for Military (up to $5,000) and the WPAFB Graduate School Scholarship (up to $6,000), reducing barriers for military students who wish to further their careers through the benefits of higher education.
Raider Immersion Program (RIP)
The Center launched the Raider Immersion Program (RIP) and secured its first sponsor, establishing a workforce development initiative that connects students with real-world, potentially defense-aligned projects. Seeded by the Center, RIP funds paid student workers who solve sponsor-defined problem sets over a sustained period. This immersive experience equips students with essential soft skills—such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and meeting deadlines—while also building hard skills in areas like software, finance, and domain-specific knowledge.
RIP is a powerful résumé builder that provides students with meaningful, applied experience. When aligned with national security interests, the program can also serve as an entry point to obtaining a security clearance in conjunction with the Clearance Ready Program. Successful participation may lead to direct job opportunities with the sponsoring organization or similar employers, as students have already demonstrated their capabilities in a professional, results-driven environment. If effective, sponsors are encouraged to continue supporting the program as a cost-effective and scalable workforce pipeline.
Public Engagement
Hosting events like Constitution Day—a full-day civic celebration including the national anthem, oath of office ceremony, 1776 play, comparative seminar on the First and Second Amendments, flag folding ceremony, and a flyover. Other activities include Civic Summer Camps, professional development seminars for K–12 teachers, the Civic-Quest online platform for K–12 learners, and new degree programs that integrate 30 percent civics content with career-focused coursework.
