Chief Audit Officer Selected for Prestigious U.S. Army War College National Security Seminar
Carla Jacobs, chief audit officer at UNC Pembroke, was among a select group of civilian leaders invited to participate in the U.S. Army War College’s 2025 National Security Seminar in Carlisle, Pa.
The weeklong seminar brought together senior military officers, international fellows and prominent civilians to examine pressing national security issues. Jacobs joined discussions ranging from global conflict to emerging technologies, alongside full-bird colonels, generals and national policy experts.
“Being selected for the U.S. Army War College National Security Seminar was truly an honor,” Jacobs said. “To sit alongside senior military officers and national security experts while offering a civilian perspective was both humbling and eye-opening.”
UNCP General Counsel Kelvin Jacobs characterized Carla Jacobs’ selection to participate in the National Security Seminar as a “tremendous honor and a reflection of her leadership and professional excellence.”
“This program brings together some of the nation’s most accomplished leaders, and her inclusion not only underscores her achievements but also elevates the prestige of our institution,” Kelvin Jacobs said. “We are proud to see her representing us on a national stage and contributing to conversations that shape the future of our country’s security and leadership.”
One of the most impactful sessions for Jacobs focused on Eurasia and the complex relationships between Europe, Russia and China. “Hearing military strategists explain these dynamics in practical, common-sense terms—not filtered through social media or television—was invaluable,” she said.
She also emphasized how the seminar highlighted the critical role of technology in leadership and strategy. “The discussions on artificial intelligence in strategic planning hit home. If we are not using AI in our professions, whether in higher education or auditing, we are already behind.”
Beyond global security, Jacobs said the experience changed the way she approaches her profession. “As an auditor, I tend to focus narrowly on specific issues. This seminar challenged me to think about the bigger picture — how decisions in one area ripple across many others. That shift in perspective will influence how I approach my work at UNC Pembroke.”
The National Security Seminar fosters greater understanding between the military and civilian communities by including leaders from education, government, business and the nonprofit sector. For Jacobs, that exchange of ideas was invaluable.
“Every decision the military makes, no matter how large or small, impacts us as civilians,” she said. “That’s why it’s so important for people outside the military to be part of these conversations. It helps bridge understanding between two worlds that are deeply connected.”
Jacobs has served as UNC Pembroke’s chief audit officer since 2020.