Eighty-six rising high school juniors and seniors from across Alabama gathered at Troy University June 8–13 for the second annual Trojan Patriot Academy, a leadership program designed to forge civic strength through the lens of history.
The week began with team-building activities at Camp Butter and Egg, leadership assessments and Myers-Briggs personality testing. Dr. Duane Gunn, Director of Operations at TROY’s Leadership Institute, explained that every component was strategically designed to develop civic-minded leaders.
“Everything from the bonding experience at Camp Butter and Egg through all the classes and reenactments at American Village—all are designed to build them as leaders and to foster civic-minded leadership,” Gunn said.
Historical Immersion and Leadership Development
Students visited Montgomery’s State House, met with Governor Kay Ivey and State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey, and toured the Rosa Parks Museum before moving to the American Village for living history presentations on the Bill of Rights and founding era.
Brooklyn Jones from Pike County High School called it “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that really opens your mind and deepens your knowledge of history. We study history in class, but coming here has shown me visually the things we learn about.”
The curriculum emphasized servant leadership principles. Maggie Kate Dixon from Deshler High School grasped this concept clearly. “Part of being a leader is being a servant. Many people think leadership is only about being in charge, but being a servant leader means walking alongside others and helping them,” she explained.
Students heard from Medal of Honor recipient Mike Rose and Alabama leaders including Col. Alan Miller, Judge Lara Alvis, Scotty Kirkland and Rep. Kenneth Paschal.
Partnership and Growth
The academy represents a partnership between Troy University and the American Village that began in Fall 2022. “TROY is very civic-minded and American Village is dedicated to civics and patriotism—it was a natural fit,” Gunn said.
Program leaders noted significant improvements from the first year. Dr. Jeff Scott, Executive Director of Academic Operations at TROY’s College of Education, observed remarkable student growth throughout the weeklong event.
“Seeing them come together in just one week from not knowing anybody to delivering presentations that demonstrate leadership has been phenomenal.”
Scott expressed ambitious plans to expand the event in the future. “Next year I want to see us increase participation by about 30%. We don’t simply run programs—we create experiences. Every experience should forge civic strength through the lens of history.”
The week concluded with colony challenge presentations before students received certificates and returned to their communities across Alabama with enhanced leadership skills and connections to peers committed to civic engagement.
