LEXINGTON, Va. March 22, 2025 — Capt. Nolan Lipscomb ’19, has been named assistant director of the Office of Global Education (OGE) at Virginia Military Institute, assuming the position held for nearly 25 years by Lt. Col. Patricia Hardin.

Lipscomb graduated from VMI with a degree in modern languages and cultures, with a concentration in French. During his time as a cadet, he tutored French, was a member of the boxing club team, and was a corporal as a 3^rd Class cadet. He spent the 2017 spring semester and a portion of the 2018 summer studying in Paris, France, and reflects on his time overseas as an aspect of the adversarial system that characterizes VMI’s approach to education. “Studying abroad is where I truly found my passion for language learning and cultural exchange. I am glad I took that leap of faith, left the safety of my home country, and struggled but grew with the French language through the study abroad program. I am now a big advocate for international education,” said Lipscomb. 

Col. Jeff Kendrick, director of OGE, remarked that Lipscomb’s enthusiasm for education abroad and knowledge of how the process works from the cadet perspective, enhances his contributions to the office. “In his capacity as assistant director, Captain Lipscomb will serve a critical role, coordinating and expanding opportunities, both here and abroad, so cadets have the international leadership and educational experiences necessary to become global leaders. Many of our alumni regard their time abroad as key to their success post-graduation, whether in the military or civilian life.”

Lipscomb shared that he is thrilled to be back at VMI. “Walking around post, memories of my time as a cadet come flooding back. While at the time life seemed unbearable, hard, and unfair, I now see what a blessing it was to be a part of something so unique and powerful. I’m more than excited to give back to the place that gave me so much.”   

VMI emphasizes global outreach in many ways: study tours, cultural exchanges with foreign military academies and civilian universities, international internships, and study abroad programs.

Over 10% of the Corps of Cadets take advantage of global education every year. VMI offers semester study abroad programs with approved third-party providers, exchange programs at military academies, and direct enrollments at universities abroad, as well as summer study abroad opportunities both through VMI faculty-led summer programs and through approved third-party providers.

Cadets are permitted to study abroad after their first year at VMI, and may study abroad one regular semester — spring or fall — and as many summers as they like.  

The Institute has several scholarship funds to aid cadets who want to go abroad. The OGE assists cadets with applications for national scholarships, including the Gilman, Gilman-McCain, Critical Language Scholarship, Olmsted, Fulbright, and Boren Scholarships and all aspects of planning study abroad programs.

Marianne Hause
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE