Simons Center spring 2004 intern conducts final brief

The Simons Center’s most recent collegiate intern, Tom Kuehnel, an undergraduate student from Hamburg, Germany studying at Park University, conducted a final briefing on his project to his advisors, Park University representatives and Simons Center leadership in the McCoy Meetin’ House at Park University on June 14, 2024.

Kuehnel’s project for the Simon’s Center resulted in a significant paper entitled “Why did NATO’s post-Cold War policy towards Russia fail?” that will be published as a Simons Center InterAgency Paper in the near future. In preparing the work, Keuhnel drew on his personal interviews of subject matter experts on NATO – Russian relations, Simons Center publications, official NATO documents, Department of Defense documents, and countless books, journal articles and press releases.

(Top photo and above) Tom Kuehnel, Simons Center intern and Park University undergraduate student from Hamburg, Germany, provides a synopsis of his research and paper entitled “Why did NATO’s post-Cold War policy towards Russia fail?” at Park University’s McCoy Meetin’ House June 14, 2024.

A political science major at Park, Kuehnel came on board as a Simons Center intern from May to June 2024. He had taken the initiative in March 2024 to send a request for an internship to Simons Center Director Col. (Ret.) Bob Ulin after becoming familiar with the Simons Center in October 2023 when Ulin escorted a former ambassador to Park University for a presentation there. Ulin, a former Foreign Area Officer with extensive experience in NATO, approved his request. Kuehnel was immediately tasked to conduct a project that would contribute to the body of knowledge on international relations and interagency cooperation which led to his ultimate topic selection.

Upon beginning his research Kuehnel was introduced to Dr. Lester Grau, senior research analyst at Fort Leavenworth’s Foreign Military Studies Office (FMSO), and Col. (Ret.) Tom Wilhelm, the former FMSO director, who both helped Tom on the project given their extensive background in research and experience with Russian studies. During his research Kuehnel also had the opportunity to conduct research at the Combined Arms Center Research Library where he said he was able to find sources he may not have found anywhere else.

At the end of his presentation and a short question and answer period, Kuehnel thanked everyone who assisted him on the project and provided some feedback for future interns at the Simons Center.

“I would recommend this program for those who enjoy research – reading and writing,” Kuehnel said. “If you’re interested in ‘ground work,’ helping make decisions in the working world, then this internship isn’t for you. This was perfect for me because I was able to enjoy what I did with resources I never had. It was pretty fitting for me.”

Ulin wrapped up the session with a few comments to Kuehnel about his work.

“I’m really impressed that you’ve done so well,” Ulin said, “particularly since English is not your native language. I’ve been very impressed…what you’ve done in six weeks is really amazing. It’s usually a graduate student who would do this kind of work, so as an undergraduate student, putting in the effort, the energy and the thoughtfulness that you did here is truly amazing. Keep it up.”

Kuehnel is the first intern from Park University sponsored by the Simons Center. The program is intended to advance the study of topics relevant to interagency cooperation and foster a closer relationship between the Command and General Staff College and Universities of the students involved.  The internships provide an opportunity for scholars from these Universities to not only be exposed to the extensive archives and resources of Simons Center but to contribute meaningful research benefitting the development of U.S. military officers and personnel involved in interagency operations.  Individuals interested in a possible internship with the Simons Center should contact the Center’s Deputy Director, Lt. Col. (retired) John Nelson at john.nelson@cgscf.org.

For more photos see the CGSC Foundation Flickr album

Attendees, advisors and academic leaders gather for a group photo with Park University undergrad and Simons Center intern Tom Kuehnel after his final project brief on June 14, 2024, at Park University’s McCoy Meetin’ House. From left: Erik Bergrud, Park University chief strategic communications officer; John Pilloni, acting director, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College Department of Command and Leadership; Col. (Ret.) Tom Wilhelm, former director of Fort Leavenworth’s Foreign Military Studies Office; Dr. Lester Grau, senior research analyst at Fort Leavenworth’s Foreign Military Studies Office; Tom Kuehnel; Col. (Ret.) Bob Ulin, Simons Center director; Lora Morgan, CGSC Foundation president/CEO; John Nelson, Simons Center deputy director; and Dr. Andrew Shoffner, Park University vice president for strategic initiatives.