Sexual Orientation, Military Service, and Citizenship

Please join us on campus for an event exploring the intersection of sexual orientation, military service, and citizenship. On Thursday, December 2, 2021 Dr. Sheri Swokowski will share her personal experiences regarding these subjects and speak to current Department of Defense issues and policies regarding sexual orientation and serving in the armed forces. 

Dr. Swokowski retired from the Army in 2004 with the rank of Colonel, after 35 years of service as an Infantry officer.  She is the senior, out, transgender veteran in the United States. She holds a Ph.D. from Cardinal Stritch University in Leadership for the Application of Learning and Service, and a master’s degree in Management and Organizational Behavior.  Dr. Swokowski also graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the Army War College. She has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, Headline News, and Al-Jazeera; and has published articles in the Washington Post, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and the Huffington Post.

This in-person event is offered by the CSLD’s Civil-Military Initiative and Civic and Economic Literacy Initiative.