MCEC Atlanta GTS Brings Students and Educators Together; LTG Sean A. Gainey Highlights Tech–Life Balance; Scholarship Announced

ATLANTA, GA — October 7, 2025 — The Military Child Education Coalition® (MCEC®) hosted its Atlanta Global Training Summit on September 22 at the Emory Conference Center & Hotel, uniting educators, student leaders, and military partners for a full day focused on technology, student well-being, and readiness for college and careers.

The day opened with a student-moderated conversation featuring LTG Sean A. Gainey, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, who urged young people to use technology wisely: “Don’t forget to be in the moment, validate your sources, and build personal relationships.” The session also spotlighted emerging opportunities in AI and cybersecurity for tomorrow’s workforce, presented by Lorraine Hastings of College Board.

Throughout the day, attendees engaged in four Distinguished Lecture Sessions (MIC3 Compact casework; MTSS leadership; supporting Reserve-connected students; and the FTC’s Welcome to Youville digital-literacy program), a Master Class on building school–family–installation partnerships, and a two-hour Forum on digital/social media led by pediatric expert Dr. Eric Flake.

The closing session announced the Heroic Hearts Scholarship with Columbia Southern University, with the first recipient to be revealed during Month of the Military Child in April. The program also featured a keynote by Fig O’Reilly, who noted: “Technology can open doors, but it is our collective power as educators that helps students walk through them.”

MCEC President & CEO Mary Bier closed the day by urging action: “Take what we’ve learned here today back to your communities and schools, and put it into practice to create a lasting legacy for military-connected kids and their families.”

By the Numbers — Atlanta

257 participants: 102 professional attendees, 155 S2S® students and advisors, representing 31 schools from 11 states and D.C.

Media Contact:

Karen Kirk
Director of Marketing and Brand Creative
Military Child Education Coalition
Karen.Kirk@MilitaryChild.org

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About the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC)
Established in 1998, the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) is a nonprofit organization that solely exists to help the military-connected child and youth thrive. MCEC supports all military-connected children by educating, advocating, and collaborating to resolve education challenges associated with the military lifestyle and works to ensure they are college, work, and life-ready. Visit MilitaryChild.org to learn more.