As an Army aviator who has led and commanded at platoon, company and battalion levels, Lt. Col. Zachary Dadisman is no stranger to the demands and skills that are part of becoming a successful leader. Through the U.S. Army War College fellows program, he’ll have the opportunity to further that experience.
Dadisman was recently welcomed as Vanderbilt’s first USAWC Fellow, and as such he’ll spend a year conducting research and outreach while auditing courses to sharpen his leadership skills and expand his outlook as a strategic and innovative thinker.
The Army War College manages the education of more than 90 fellows each year, and their advanced educational experience takes place at 49 locations in 55 programs across the U.S. and overseas. Fellows take advantage of a learning environment that is different from that which is traditionally offered by the war colleges and use that knowledge for the betterment of the Army. The USAWC Fellows also act as ambassadors of the U.S. Army, engaging students, faculty, researchers and the public in presentations as well as both formal and informal engagements.
“The opportunity to engage with students, professors, administration members, and the community during the coming year is very exciting,” said Dadisman. The university has been incredibly welcoming, and I’m eager to contribute to and learn from the vibrant intellectual environment at Vanderbilt.”
Douglas Adams, Daniel F. Flowers Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and executive director of the Vanderbilt Institute of National Security, will serve as Dadisman’s faculty adviser during his time at Vanderbilt. “LTC Dadisman is an extraordinary leader and ambassador for the United States Army, and we are incredibly fortunate that he has been assigned to Vanderbilt University as our inaugural War College Fellow,” Adams said. “I know that our faculty, students and staff will all benefit from engaging with him and that he will thrive in our interdisciplinary culture of scholars. It’s a great privilege for me to get to serve as LTC Dadisman’s academic adviser.”
Dadisman graduated from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, in 2004, earning a bachelor of arts in political science and a commission through the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps. He earned a master’s degree from the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, in national security and strategic studies in 2015.
“I am thrilled that LTC Zachary Dadisman has joined Vanderbilt as our first Army War College Fellow. This fellowship highlights the university’s commitment to supporting the military community and collaborating with its outstanding leaders,” said Jill Stratton, assistant provost for academic support and community engagement. “Moreover, we know he will contribute his experience and leadership, which will enrich the Vanderbilt community. I eagerly anticipate the positive impact he will have here and am particularly excited for our ROTC students to benefit from his expertise.” Stratton will also serve as Dadisman’s executive sponsor during his time as a fellow at Vanderbilt.
While keeping residence at Fort Campbell, Dadisman will commute to campus during the academic year to conduct research with the Institute of National Security and build on his leadership skills through coursework at Owen Graduate School of Management, the Law School and other Vanderbilt schools and colleges. He also plans to engage with the campus community, sharing valuable experiences and insights from his service.
Vanderbilt’s work with the U.S. Army War College fellows program is one of several important collaborations that continue the university’s relationship with, and support of, the military community. This includes work with the U.S. Army’s Pathfinder Program, an Army and Naval ROTC program, and a project to improve grappling hooks with the U.S. Army’s Fort Campbell EagleWerx Applied Tactical Innovation Center and the Vanderbilt School of Engineering.
