On 5 February 2026, the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies met with 11 security cooperation and bilateral affairs officers attending the Security Cooperation Course at the Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU). Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. William Godnick and Associate Director of Outreach and Admissions Kara O’Ryan led the engagement. The officers will serve at US Embassies in Mexico, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Honduras, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

During the engagement, Dr. Godnick and Ms. O’Ryan provided an overview of the Perry Center’s mission, academic programs, and key activities. They highlighted the Center’s role in supporting US security cooperation efforts across the Western Hemisphere, including its collaboration with US Military Groups (USMILGPs). USMILGPs serve as key partners and ambassadors for Perry Center programs in their respective countries and represent one of the Center’s most important relationships across the US Government. The discussion also included an explanation of the Center’s student selection process and how Perry Center programs are aligned with and responsive to embassy and regional security priorities.