The Class of 1971 Student Conference on U.S. Affairs Breadcrumb academics academic departments social sciences student conference on us affairs The Class of 1971 Student Conference on U.S. Affairs (SCUSA) SCUSA is a four-day conference in which students work with scholars and practitioners to develop proposals that address important topics in U.S. foreign policy. SCUSA is one of the largest conferences of its type and is attended by approximately 200 undergraduate students from over 100 institutions around the U.S., abroad, and across academic disciplines. West Point has hosted SCUSA 72 times, with the first event held in 1949. In addition to offering an opportunity to discuss complex issues of foreign policy, SCUSA provides a foundation for developing lasting civil-military relationships among future leaders in the military, government, and private sector. Venue for New Ideas Throughout the conference, student delegates deliberate the impact of current obstacles to the United States and work to formulate sound policy recommendations for the United States Government. The conference begins with a panel of senior leaders who introduce the theme, features a keynote address by a policy expert, and includes roundtable sessions to facilitate the development of policy recommendations. Unique Interaction with America’s Military While attending SCUSA, delegates get a unique glimpse into the daily life of the United States Corps of Cadets, future officers in the U.S. Army. Delegates interact with cadets on conference roundtables, while residing in the cadet barracks, and over meals in the cadet mess hall. Mentorship Beyond the Classroom SCUSA draws academic and policy practitioner experts who facilitate roundtable discussions and guide student delegates in developing a series of policy recommendations for their table region or topic. Past Distinguished Guests and Keynote Speakers Secretary Henry Kissinger Secretary Madeleine Albright Ambassador Susan Rice General Paul Nakasone Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield Recent Themes 2022: American Foreign Policy in an Era of Polarized Politics and Revisionist Powers 2021: Disruptive Technology and American Influence in the Coming Decade 2019: Advancing the National Interest: The Intersection of Domestic Politics and Foreign Policy 2018: Cooperation Reimagined: American Influence in an Increasingly Complex World 2017: The Politics of the Forgotten and the Aggrieved: Remaking the World Order? 2016: Democracy and Democratization: Challenges and Opportunities SCUSA will be back in the Fall of 2023! Contact your school's political science department to request an invitation to SCUSA 74 in 2023. Past Conference Pages SCUSA 73 SCUSA 72 SCUSA 71 Follow Us Linkedin Twitter Twitter Instagram Instagram Contact the SCUSA Staff Please contact the SCUSA staff if you have any questions about the conference. If you would like to attend, please coordinate with your university's political science department, as SCUSA invites delegates to the conference through their respective academic institutions.