Troy University, in partnership with the American Village, hosted the 2026 Trojan Patriot Academy from June 7-12, welcoming more than 100 high school students for an immersive six-day program focused on civic education, servant leadership, and patriotic heritage at the  Troy University campus and the American Village in Montevallo.

Now in its 3rd year as a premier leadership development experience, Trojan Patriot Academy brought together high school students from across the region and organized them into colony groups, each tasked with collaborating throughout the week on a culminating challenge presented on the program’s final day. From the moment students arrived on Troy University’s campus, they were immersed in an environment designed to foster critical thinking, civic responsibility, and the kind of servant leadership that has defined America’s greatest historical figures. 

Throughout the week, these students were given various opportunities to experience a carefully curated curriculum that took them far beyond the classroom. Students participated in hands-on outdoor exercises at Camp Butter and Egg, personality assessments, and a campus tour of Troy University. 

Midweek, the academy traveled to Montgomery, where students were welcomed at the Alabama State Capitol, took a photo with Governor Kay Ivey, and met with Course of Study Administrator Dr. Blake Busbin. Students also toured both the Rosa Parks Museum and the Alabama Department of Archives and History, bringing American history to life in a deeply personal way. The journey continued to the American Village in Montevallo, where students engaged in historical character programs, a distinguished panel discussion with Colonel Alan Miller, Natlie Steed, Scotty Kirkland, and Val Crofts, and an evening address by Medal of Honor recipient Mike Rose. The week concluded with colony presentations and a closing ceremony celebrating student growth and scholarship recipients.

Gregory “Ray” Gibson, a rising high school senior from Troy, Alabama and second-year TPA participant, described the academy as a transformative experience that strengthened his leadership and deepened his appreciation for American history. When asked what advice he would offer to future students who wish to participate in Trojan Patriot Academy, “Do what you can, where you can, while you can,” said Gibson.

Watching these students grow over the course of a single week is a testament to what civic education can do through the lens of history. We are incredibly proud of what this dynamic experience has become in just three years, and we look forward to expanding its reach and impact for future students throughout the state of Alabama,” said Dr. Jeff Scott, Troy University’s Director of Civics Education. 

Troy University remains committed to developing the next generation of leaders through programs like Trojan Patriot Academy, and looks forward to continuing its partnership with the American Village in the years to come.