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Keynote Speakers

This year’s theme is “IMPROVEMENT: At the Core + For the Corps.”
Featured keynote speakers include Dr. Maria Sirois and Ms. DeDe Halfhill.

Thursday Evening | Ms. DeDe Halfhill (Colonel/USAF/Ret.)

Ms. DeDe Halfhill In today’s rapidly evolving world, leaders face an array of multifaceted challenges, demanding constant adaptability. From economic uncertainty and societal inequalities to technological disruptions and remote team management, effective leadership has become more vital than ever. Amidst these complexities, one constant emerges: the critical importance of human connection. Join Col DeDe Halfhill, USAF Retired, featured in Brené Brown’s book ‘Dare to Lead,’ and on 60 Minutes, for a thought-provoking conversation on how the ability to build deep meaningful connection not only fosters trust and inspires loyalty but also provides a crucial foundation for understanding diverse perspectives, driving innovation, and navigating turbulent times with resilience. As leaders strive to make a positive impact and create meaningful change, the power of connection emerges as an indispensable force that can transform challenges into opportunities for growth and collective success.

Friday Afternoon | Dr. Maria Sirois (from Wellness & Resilience Day)

What Respect Requires Respect for self and for others emerges from internal and external environments that cultivate appreciation for difference, curiosity, care for oneself and others, and a willingness to honor oneself and the contributions of others. In this keynote, Dr. Maria Sirois explores how inner respect is built, how we reduce habits of unconscious bias, perfectionism and social comparison, and how we might choose to become our better selves with others, irrespective of difference. We will highlight research on the value of difference in cultivating successful group-based performance, and on the importance of seeing through a lens of appreciation and wholeness.

Sponsor Family Application

Thank you for submitting your application to be part of the Sponsor Family Program. Your application will be processed in the upcoming week. Coast Guard Academy’s policy on background screening now requires all adults (everyone 18 and older living in the home) who volunteer to mentor, teach, coach or sponsor cadets, whether on or off Coast Guard Academy grounds, to be screened every 5 years. They are required to provide personal information (name, birth date and social security number) for the purpose of conducting a criminal background check.

The Security Officer at the Coast Guard Academy, CWO2 Gina Polkowski, is overseeing this process. Her email is: Gina.M.Polkowski@uscg.mil.

Sponsor Family designations fall into several different categories. Below are the guidelines to help you determine how best to meet the background screening requirement:

If you are Coast Guard active duty you do not need to apply for an additional Background Check. You will be vetted through the Coast Guard system by CWO2 Polkowski.
If you are a Civilian working for the Coast Guard you do not need to apply for an additional Background Check. You will be vetted through the Coast Guard system by CWO2 Polkowski.
If you are non-Coast Guard Active Duty, you are required to provide proof of your current security clearance or National Agency Check that is to be emailed by your Command Security Officer (CSO)/ Security Office to CWO2 Polkowski at Gina.M.Polkowski@uscg.mil.
If you are non-Coast Guard civilian who has a current security clearance or National Agency check, you are required to provide proof of your current security clearance or National Agency Check that is to be emailed by your Command Security Officer (CSO)/ Security Office to CWO2 Polkowski at Gina.M.Polkowski@uscg.mil.
All civilians in the families who are 18 years or older and do not have a security clearance or a National Agency Check are required to be vetted through Mind Your Business, the third party vendor hired by the Coast Guard Academy for the vetting process.

After you complete your application, please e-mail the Sponsor Family Program Coordinator at CadetFamilySponsorProgram@uscga.edu. In your e-mail, you must include the e-mail address and phone number of every adult living in the home. The Sponsor Family Coordinator will then initiate the background check process and you will receive an email with further instructions.

Important things to note:

There is a Sponsor Family Training that is a one-hour training which we ask sponsors to attend once every four years. This training is designed to give you an overview of the program, what is expected of you as a sponsor, and what you can expect from your cadets. This training will also help familiarize you with the cadet regulations onboard CGA. You will be notified via e-mail once the training is scheduled.

The matching process of swabs to families will occur during July and August. Please bear with us and remain flexible through this process. There will be a meet and greet scheduled on Campus, typically in late August. This will give families an opportunity to formally meet their cadet if they have not already done so. Details on this will also be via email.