UND LEADS: Broad Perspectives on National Security
Join us for our speaker series focusing on key topics of national security.
Each fall and spring semester, UND invites a prominent, national expert to speak at an event hosted by President Andrew Armacost. The fall event is held on the UND campus in Grand Forks, N.D., and the spring event in Washington, D.C. This series serves as a complement to the University’s National Security Initiative, which focuses on research and educating tomorrow’s workforce leaders in national security.
Spring 2025 - Lt. General Harris
Lt. General David A. Harris
UND President Andrew Armacost and Lieutenant General David A. Harris
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
2025 Defense Communities National Summit
Arlington, VA
About U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. David A. Harris
Lt. Gen. David A. Harris is the deputy chief of staff for U.S. Air Force Futures,
stationed at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., where he is the senior Air Force leader
responsible for strategy, integration, and requirements. He focuses on developing
Air Force strategies and concepts, delivering integrated force designs, conducting
strategic assessments through wargames and workshops, and achieving timely and effective
operational capabilities. He has also served as special assistant to the chief of
staff of the United State Air Force.
A native of the Philadelphia (Penn.) area, Lt. Gen. Harris received his commission
from the University of Alabama in 1993. He is a master navigator and basic parachutist
with 2,500 flying hours, having flown in support of operations Deliberate Force, Allied
Force, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa,
and Inherent Resolve.
Lt. Gen. Harris has commanded at the squadron, group and wing level, and has served
as the vice superintendent at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Throughout his distinguished career, he has also served as the deputy director of
operations for Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, N.C., and the director
of strategic plans, programs and requirements for Air Force Special Operations Command
at Hurlburt Field, Florida.
Prior to his current position, Lt. Gen. Harris was deputy commander of the Ninth Air
Force (Air Forces Central), and deputy Combined Forces Air Component Commander for
U.S. Central Command in Southwest Asia.
Fall 2024 - General Robinson
On Sept. 27, 2024, USAF Gen. Lori J. Robinson lead off the UND discussion series with UND President Andrew Armacost. Gen. Robinson is the the first woman to lead a U.S. combatant command and the former commander of the United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
Gen. Lori J. Robinson
Gen. Robinson has had a historic career. After first being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in May 1981, she rose through the ranks of the Air Force to become a Brigadier General in July 2008. She ascended the ranks again ultimately attaining the rank of General in October 2014.
Gen. Robinson was among 13 women featured in a 2016 Time Magazine article about the world’s most influential women, and has been featured in multiple other publications.
Gen. Robinson is the former commander of USNORTHCOM, which made her the first woman in U.S. history to lead a combatant command. There are 11 combatant commands that the U.S. military administers. USNORTHCOM conducts all military matters in North America and assists non-military entities in times of need. While commander of USNORTHCOM, Gen. Robinson also simultaneously led the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
Media
Media wishing to attend may contact:
David Dodds
Director of Communication
david.dodds@UND.edu
701.777.5529
Contact
For general event questions, please email UND.eventrsvp@UND.edu.