Fort Stewart-HAAF turns partnership into relationship with GSU

By Kelsie SteberJuly 19, 2025

Fort Stewart-HAAF turns partnership into relationship with GSU
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Kyle Marrero (right), Georgia Southern University president, signs a continuing memorandum of agreement with Col. Marc Austin (left), Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield garrison commander, at Georgia Southern University's Statesboro campus, July 18, 2025. Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield established the original MOA in 2023 to provide college programs in the SFC Paul R. Smith – Army Education Center as well as serve Soldier, family members and civilian students. The initial MOA provided several graduate degrees along with two graduate certificates. The update includes an agreement for the university to provide three undergraduate programs, which include Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, Associate of Arts and Associate of Science. (Photo Credit: Kelsie Steber) VIEW ORIGINAL
Fort Stewart-HAAF turns partnership into relationship with GSU
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Kyle Marrero (right), Georgia Southern University president, talks with Col. Marc Austin (left), Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield garrison commander, before a signing ceremony for a continuing memorandum of agreement at Georgia Southern University's Statesboro campus, July 18, 2025. Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield established the original MOA in 2023 to provide college programs in the SFC Paul R. Smith – Army Education Center as well as serve Soldier, family members and civilian students. The initial MOA provided several graduate degrees along with two graduate certificates. The update includes an agreement for the university to provide three undergraduate programs, which include Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, Associate of Arts and Associate of Science. (Photo Credit: Kelsie Steber) VIEW ORIGINAL
Fort Stewart-HAAF turns partnership into relationship with GSU
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Kyle Marrero (right), Georgia Southern University president, and Col. Marc Austin (left), Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield garrison commander, shake hands after signing a memorandum of agreement at Georgia Southern University's Statesboro campus, July 18, 2025. Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield established the original MOA in 2023 to provide college programs in the SFC Paul R. Smith – Army Education Center as well as serve Soldier, family members and civilian students. The initial MOA provided several graduate degrees along with two graduate certificates. The update includes an agreement for the university to provide three undergraduate programs, which include Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, Associate of Arts and Associate of Science. (Photo Credit: Kelsie Steber) VIEW ORIGINAL

Many Soldiers join the Army for its educational benefits, whether they are obtaining their undergraduate or a masters, they have options. Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield Soldiers now have more educational opportunities through a continuing memorandum of agreement with Georgia Southern University. The signing ceremony was held July 18 at GSU’s Statesboro campus.

“We are able to tell the story of what we together with the military accomplish,” said Kyle Marrero, Georgia Southern University president. “These are the type of partnerships and being a part of the educational rising of these talented young soldiers is a big part of that for us, so thank you for the opportunity.”

Fort Stewart-HAAF turns partnership into relationship with GSU
Kyle Marrero (right), Georgia Southern University president, and Col. Marc Austin (left), Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield garrison commander, shake hands before signing a memorandum of agreement at Georgia Southern University's Statesboro campus, July 18, 2025. Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield established the original MOA in 2023 to provide college programs in the SFC Paul R. Smith – Army Education Center as well as serve Soldier, family members and civilian students. The initial MOA provided several graduate degrees along with two graduate certificates. The update includes an agreement for the university to provide three undergraduate programs, which include Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, Associate of Arts and Associate of Science. (Photo Credit: Kelsie Steber) VIEW ORIGINAL

The update includes an agreement for the university to provide three undergraduate programs, which include Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, Associate of Arts and Associate of Science.

“I think what is developing between Georgia Southern and the military, specifically the 3rd ID and Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield, is more of a relationship,” said Col. Marc Austin, Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield garrison commander. “A partnership is transactional, and we are to the point where we are beyond transactional. We ask for help and it comes out.”

Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield established the original MOA in 2023 to provide college programs in the SFC Paul R. Smith – Army Education Center as well as serve Soldier, family members and civilian students. The initial MOA provided several graduate degrees along with two graduate certificates.

Austin is excited about the increase in enrollment and said, “it is about the soldiers, families, and the professionalization of the force.”

Fort Stewart-HAAF turns partnership into relationship with GSU
Kyle Marrero (right), Georgia Southern University president, and Col. Marc Austin (left), Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield garrison commander, hold up signed memorandums of agreement at Georgia Southern University's Statesboro campus, July 18, 2025. Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield established the original MOA in 2023 to provide college programs in the SFC Paul R. Smith – Army Education Center as well as serve Soldier, family members and civilian students. The initial MOA provided several graduate degrees along with two graduate certificates. The update includes an agreement for the university to (Photo Credit: Kelsie Steber) VIEW ORIGINAL

These programs will allow Soldiers to maximize the use of their military training towards college credits. Undergraduate courses will be offered at Fort Stewart as early as Fall 2025.

“Partnerships are great but the relationship we have with your organization, your campus, your university, thank you so much for what you do,” Austin said.