2025 Graduation Stories: Steph Bossert

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For Steph Bossert, a student in the Master of National Security Policy (MNSP) program, the pursuit of understanding policy isn't just academic; it's deeply personal and professionally ingrained. An active-duty officer in the U.S. Air Force currently serving as a Director of Operations in Air Force Special Operations and a Gold Star Daughter whose father passed away from combat-related injuries sustained in Afghanistan and Iraq, Bossert brings a unique blend of lived experience and operational expertise to her studies at Sanford.

Her path to the MNSP program was driven by a desire to delve deeper into the mechanisms shaping the world she operated in. "The idea of pursuing an advanced degree in national security was very appealing with how complex the current security environment is, transitioning out of the Global War on Terror and focusing on strategic competition," Bossert explains.

Witnessing the withdrawal from Afghanistan unfold was particularly challenging, fueling her quest "to better understand the ‘why’—how defense and broader security policy is formulated." A short seminar on national security taught by Sanford's Professor Tim Nichols solidified her interest, leading her to Duke.

"Duke is a fantastic school, and the opportunity to go to grad school while also working full time was just too good to pass up," she added.

Advocating for policy change

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Shortly after beginning the program, Bossert encountered a policy issue firsthand that would define much of her Sanford experience. As a Gold Star Daughter, she qualified for VA Chapter 35 education benefits, designed for dependents of service members killed in action, disabled, or former POWs/MIA. However, she discovered a barrier: "I found out that even though I qualify for the benefits, I cannot receive them because I’m serving on active duty."

This personal challenge became a powerful catalyst for applying her classroom learning. An action memo assignment for Dr. Francis Tilney Burke’s Institutions of National Security class became her first formal exploration of the topic. Encouraged by Dr. Burke, she penned an op-ed calling for change, which was subsequently published in Stars & Stripes.

The research deepened in Professor Philip Candreva's Budgeting in National Security course, where she investigated the legal code and potential costs associated with extending these benefits. "With the help of my professor, Prof. Candreva, I wrote a memo to several senators and congresspeople advocating for the change in policy," Bossert recounts.

Her dedicated research and advocacy have yielded significant progress.

"Now I’m currently working with my Texas Senator on a bill, named after my dad, to change the law and extend Chapter 35 benefits to active-duty service members," she shares. "It has been a long journey of research and writing and great experience in how policy is made and changed!"

Mentorship from faculty played a crucial role in this journey. Bossert credits Professor Candreva not only for demystifying federal budgeting – "I was a bit nervous... I equated budgeting with math (and there’s a reason I majored in psychology in undergrad!)." – but also for his direct encouragement on the VA benefits issue. "I was able to articulate the impact extending these benefits would have on both national security and the minimal impact on the federal budget because of his course and mentorship," she states.

She also highlights the impact of Dr. Bruce Jentleson's Strategy course.

"He brought a great deal of knowledge and experience to the classroom and had a way of connecting with each of us," Bossert notes. She particularly valued his approach following the October 7th attacks, where he offered additional, balanced sessions on the history and policies surrounding Israel and Palestine.

"He approached the topic with care and presented everything in a balanced manner, creating an environment where we could ask questions and have civil conversations... He reinforced the idea that two things can be true at the same time and most issues are more complex than the headlines or soundbites make them appear to be."

Clicking with her cohort

Beyond faculty, Bossert emphasizes the value of her peers.

"My classmates have also had a big impact on my time at Duke," she says. "I really lucked out with two great cohorts as part of the 20-month program. I’ve learned so much from my classmates and their diverse backgrounds. I’ve made some lifelong friends in the program."

Next Steps

Looking ahead, Bossert's commitment to service and education continues. Following graduation, she heads to Colorado for her next Air Force assignment: teaching at the U.S. Air Force Academy, a role she's prepared for through the USAF Academy Faculty Pipeline Program, and her previous experience as an Admissions Advisor there.

"I’m really excited to be back in the classroom and have a positive impact on cadets!" she says.

While initially teaching psychology (her undergraduate major), she hopes "to expand and teach a course on decision-making and national security."

Further down the road, she envisions potentially pursuing a Ph.D. in public policy or attending law school, aiming "to integrate my knowledge and experiences in the psychology and policy realms."

Regardless of the specific path, her core motivation remains clear: "Either way I plan on continuing to serve in some capacity!" Steph Bossert's time at Sanford exemplifies how personal experience, rigorous academic inquiry, and dedicated mentorship can converge to not only deepen understanding but also drive meaningful policy change.