For the first time, UT San Antonio’s University College sent a group of to the Student Conference on National Affairs (SCONA) — a nationally recognized policy conference that has convened student leaders for more than 70 years.
The experience gave six Roadrunners the chance to participate in high-level discussions on global security, diplomacy and intelligence, reinforcing how experiential learning prepares UT San Antonio students to operate in complex national and international arenas.
Hosted annually at Texas A&M University, the collegiate conference draws delegates from universities across the nation and around the world. Each year focuses on a topic of national importance and provides students the opportunity to engage with the nation’s highest academic scholars, government officials and well-known public figures. Through facilitated roundtables, delegates debate critical issues and compete in a culminating policy paper competition.
This year’s theme, “Instruments of Power: American Influence on the Global Stage,” challenged students to examine how the United States should implement its diplomatic, informational, military and economic instruments of power within an evolving world order. Delegates explored how American influence shapes national and international audiences.
Participants analyzed complex domestic and global issues through structured roundtable debates, crisis simulations and formal policy presentations. University College students contributed to discussions on the American intelligence community, diplomatic strategies concerning the status of Taiwan and other national security challenges.
“SCONA was a very engaging and eye-opening experience. It pushed me to think critically about global issues,” said JB Bolarin, a Multidisciplinary Studies – Cyber Intelligence major.
Stefanos Santora, who is also pursuing the Cyber Intelligence track within Multidisciplinary Studies degree, remarked that the conference “was very professional and highly organized,” and “an invaluable learning experience.”
For many, the most valuable aspect was collaborating with a diverse array of peers and ROTC cadets while navigating high-pressure discussions.
“The best part was collaborating with students from different backgrounds,” Bolarin said. “I also enjoyed the fast-paced crisis simulations.”
Sonya Smith, an Air Force ROTC cadet majoring in the Strategic Leadership and Defense track within Multidisciplinary Studies, participated in a roundtable group that earned Best Policy and Presentation and received a SCONA challenge coin, recognizing the strength of their research, collaboration and delivery.
“This experience helped me understand real-world policy development and teamwork,” Smith said. “Presenting in front of a large audience helped me step out of my comfort zone and grow as a leader.”
Beyond awards, students emphasized the value of hearing diverse perspectives. Some found themselves listening more than speaking, absorbing insights from peers while engaging in high-level discussions on abstract and complex policy issues.
Despite the long days and fast pace, the students agreed that SCONA was an invaluable learning experience. Through teamwork, debate and public presentation, participants gained firsthand insight into policy development while sharpening essential leadership skills.
Experiences like SCONA, which was organized by the University College Student Success Center, highlight the college’s commitment to preparing students for success through guidance, hands-on learning and leadership development. Throughout the year, the center offers engaging events and interactive workshops that support academic achievement, promote well-being, foster experiential learning and help students build meaningful connections.