SHU Education Leads Alum to Army Intelligence Career

Kenneth McDougal honed global and community perspectives at SHU

Kenneth McDougal graduated from Sacred Heart University in 2021 with a wealth of knowledge about the world and politics, as well as a true understanding of what it means to be part of a community. Today, he draws on his education and experiences at SHU as he works in military intelligence with the U.S. Army.

McDougal majored in global studies with concentrations in the Middle East, Africa and international systems, and he minored in political science and criminal justice. After deciding to enlist in the fall of 2020, McDougal graduated in May and was shipped off to basic training in June to pursue hands-on experience with the U.S. Army. This path led to his job in military intelligence.

“While there’s this image of everyone going out in the field and getting physical like in the commercials, there’s also a behind-the-scenes aspect to what we do in my profession which is more communication based,” he said. “Learning how to think more critically and collaborate―all the skills I learned at Sacred Heart―have paid off in my early career.”

Isil Akbulut Gok, associate professor of political science & global affairs, complimented McDougal on his work ethic. “Kenneth was one of the brightest and most promising students I have encountered in my classes. I watched him grow into an outstanding student who excelled in both his personal and academic pursuits. His ability to analyze social problems and his aptitude for social inquiry were admirable,” she said. “Kenneth was very well regarded by his peers and was a student others often turned to for advice and leadership.”

McDougal said he is grateful to have been involved with such an intimate academic program. “It brought a lot to the table and allowed me and my fellow students to be successful. I think my education really prepared me to do what I'm doing with the same sense of community that I found at Sacred Heart,” he said.

McDougal balanced his time at SHU among the honors program, his fraternity, Beta Theta Pi, and football. “I know those sound like three very different passions, and stereotypically they wouldn’t blend naturally, but for me they did, and I found success in all three,” he said.

He said he is thankful to SHU for the connections he made with his professors and coaches while he was a student. “I ended up getting a great deal of support from the people around me, and they were able to help me start my own journey,” he said. “Whether it was the athletic environment, in which my coaches created a sense of community, or the classroom, where my professors challenged me, I got a great education. I owe a lot to Sacred Heart.”