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We are excited to welcome Mr. Colby Jenkins as this year’s Distinguished Speaker addressing the Class of 2025 at our College’s Celebration on May 17. Mr. Colby Jenkins is an Army Special Forces combat veteran and is currently performing the duties of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict. Colby was previously appointed as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Irregular Warfare and Counterterrorism in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Born and raised in Roosevelt, Utah, Colby knew from a young age that service to his nation and community was important. As the son of patriotic, service-oriented parents, Colby saw firsthand how his family’s dedication to their community, including his father’s service on the city council and later as Mayor, could allow one person to improve the lives of those around them. While considering his own future path, Colby took further inspiration from his grandfather, a member of the “greatest generation,” and his service during World War Two. Seeing military service, and specifically going to the United States Military Academy at West Point, as an ideal path, Colby sought a congressional nomination and gained an appointment to West Point, thus launching him on a career of service to the nation.

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Upon graduating from West Point, Colby became an airborne Ranger-qualified infantry officer before trying out for and being selected to become a Special Forces officer. As a Green Beret Detachment Commander, Colby led his Special Forces A-team on multiple global deployments, including combat in Afghanistan and later various training, counter drug, and hostage rescue operations throughout South America, including the jungles of Colombia.

Colby’s experience in combat and leading his team opened new opportunities to serve beyond the fields of battle. The four-star commanding general of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) hand-selected Colby to initiate a new congressional fellowship program that included graduate school in Washington, D.C., and working in a U.S. Senator’s office. Colby would be the first special operations officer to do so for USSOCOM, creating a path for many others to follow. After Colby’s work in the U.S. Senate and completing a Master’s degree in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management, Colby continued his work on Capitol Hill as a Green Beret liaison to Congress. This experience took him from the halls of Congress around the world with members of Congress and staff. Colby later worked in the Pentagon as a counterterrorism policy advisor to the Secretary of Defense, coordinating critical efforts between the White House, Pentagon, Capitol Hill, and other interagency partners to advance American interests.

After completing his active-duty military service Colby transitioned to the Army National Guard and now the Army Reserves where he continued his military service for more than two decades. During his civilian career, Colby remained active in the legislative arena working for several years in the Pentagon as the senior civilian legislative strategic advisor to the Vice-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation’s #2 military leader. Simultaneously, Colby taught as an adjunct professor in George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management. Following his years of service and work in Washington, D.C., Colby jumped to the corporate tech world working for Google at Google headquarters and later other innovation and entrepreneurial entities in both Silicon Valley and ultimately southern Utah.

Colby is married to Heather, his wife of more than 25 years, and they have two college-age daughters.

Claudia McCarthy was born and raised in a small town in Central New York located in the Finger Lakes region. From the very beginning, her family instilled a sense of patriotism that shaped her life decisions based on the notion of serving others. This desire to serve led her to receive a Bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech while participating in the Corps of Cadets program. She went on to obtain a master’s degree in Homeland Security from George Washington University’s College of Professional Studies.

While working full-time as a contractor specializing in consulting and analytics for Defense Acquisition programs, Claudia continues to embrace her love for adventure and travel. When not traveling to a new place, or training for the next big adventure, she can be found enjoying the arts in the DC area, as well as hosting her friends where she can try out new recipes she is learning to cook. With a strong desire to acquire knowledge, she has a deep love for books and reading and is always looking for the next challenge.

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