The Mayport Naval Station and the 小蓝视频 (JU) School of Education found some engaging common ground over the winter break. Southeast Regional Command Master Chief Bill Houlihan needed information on Generation Z and JU鈥檚 Education Department Chair, Dr. Colleen Wilson stood ready to help.
The information briefing was held at the annual Regional Commander Conference on January 16 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. Wilson鈥檚 30-year experience in all sectors of Education (K-12) and her two decades of expertise working in higher education made her a great fit. Collaborating with JU Senior Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Kristie Gover, more than 80 members of senior Navy leadership attended Wilson鈥檚 presentation.
Generation Z鈥攑eople born between 1996 and 2010鈥攊s a connection the University and
the U.S. Military have in common. Both organizations recruit, educate, and care for
this sometimes misunderstood generation. Attendees discovered there is little difference
between a group of Sailors on the mess deck and a group of undergraduates at the dining
hall. This group started graduating from college last year and their active duty counterparts
are just finishing up their first enlistments. In both environments, Gen Z鈥檚 stand
on the precipice of the future.
JU鈥檚 longstanding military connections date back to the establishment of its NROTC
unit in January 1971.
Houlihan, impressed with the value of better understanding Gen Z, passed along the
information to the entire Fleet and multiple duty stations. Feedback from Navy leadership
quickly made the rounds from Washington, D.C. to Japan.
鈥淭his was by far the best presentation on Gen Z that I鈥檝e seen. Thanks for sharing,鈥� wrote Command Master Chief Richard L. James, Jr. after receiving presentation materials. 鈥淭hanks a bunch for sharing this! One of my biggest challenges in Japan,鈥� said Houlihan. 鈥淲e鈥檝e been working hard over the last year and a half. I will push this out to all our CMCs.鈥�
As two outstanding organizations, the U.S. Navy and 小蓝视频, connect on yet another level, many benefited from the experience. Gover invited the Navy senior leadership to visit campus and see first-hand the common bond that has stemmed from a decades-long relationship with the U.S. military. Molding and producing the next generation of citizens is the goal. Whether on campus, on base, in the air, aboard ship, or in the classroom.
