Have you ever wondered where some of the most influential people in history got their education? How did they choose their field of study, what challenges did they face, and what did they learn from their college years? In this article, we will explore the college journey of one such person: Colin Powell. He was an American politician, statesman, diplomat, and United States Army officer who served as the 65th United States Secretary of State from 2001 to 2005. He was the first African-American secretary of state. He was also the 15th United States national security advisor from 1987 to 1989, and the 12th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1989 to 1993. He played a leading role in planning and executing several military operations, such as the invasion of Panama in 1989 and the Persian Gulf War in 1990–1991. He was widely respected for his leadership, integrity, and diplomacy.
But before he became a prominent figure in world affairs, he was a student who pursued his higher education at two different institutions. Here is a summary of his educational background:
| Name | College Attended | Degree(s) Earned | Field of Study/Major | Graduation Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colin Luther Powell | City College of New York (CCNY) | Bachelor of Science (B.S.) | Geology | 1958 |
| George Washington University (GWU) | Master of Business Administration (MBA) | Government and International Relations | 1971 |
Let’s take a closer look at his educational journey and see how it shaped his life and career.
Educational Journey
Colin Powell attended the City College of New York (CCNY), a public college that offered affordable and quality education to students from diverse backgrounds. He enrolled in 1954 and chose geology as his major, although he was not particularly interested in it. He later said that he picked geology because it was “the easiest major I could find”.
However, he found his passion and purpose when he joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) at CCNY. He enjoyed the discipline, camaraderie, and sense of achievement that came with military training. He excelled in ROTC and became the commander of his unit. He also received several awards and honors, such as the Pershing Rifles Gold Medal for Leadership Excellence and the American Legion Award for General Excellence.
He graduated from CCNY in June 1958 with a B.S. degree in geology and a commission as an Army second lieutenant. He later said that CCNY gave him “a good basic education” and “a sense of direction”.
He continued his education at George Washington University (GWU), a private university in Washington, D.C., where he studied government and international relations. He enrolled in 1970 while serving as a White House fellow, a prestigious program that allowed young professionals to work with senior government officials. He completed his MBA degree in 1971 with a thesis on Vietnamization, the policy of transferring more responsibility for the Vietnam War to South Vietnam.
He said that GWU helped him “understand how Washington works” and “how to deal with complex issues”. He also met influential professors and mentors, such as Frank Carlucci, who later became his boss at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the National Security Council (NSC).
Early Life and Background
Colin Powell was born in New York City on April 5, 1937, to parents who immigrated from Jamaica. He grew up in the Harlem and South Bronx neighborhoods, where he faced poverty, racism, and violence. He attended public schools that were overcrowded and underfunded. He struggled academically and socially, often feeling insecure and inferior.
However, he also had positive influences in his life, such as his parents, who worked hard to provide for their family; his older sister, who encouraged him to read books; his church, where he learned about faith and service; and his community, where he experienced diversity and solidarity. He also developed interests in music, sports, and movies. He learned to play the piano, joined a baseball team, and watched films starring Humphrey Bogart and John Wayne.
He said that his early life taught him “to be self-reliant” and “to overcome adversity”. He also said that he was inspired by the examples of successful African Americans, such as Jackie Robinson, Martin Luther King Jr., and Thurgood Marshall.
Post-College Journey
Colin Powell’s college education prepared him for a long and distinguished career in the military and government. He served in the Army for 35 years, holding various command and staff positions and rising to the rank of four-star general. He fought in Vietnam, where he was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. He also served in Korea, Germany, and the United States. He was the commander of the U.S. Army Forces Command in 1989, overseeing all Army troops in the continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.
He also held several political positions, starting as a White House fellow in 1972. He worked as an assistant to Frank Carlucci at the OMB and later at the NSC. He became the deputy national security advisor in 1986 and the national security advisor in 1987 under President Ronald Reagan. He advised the president on various issues, such as arms control, terrorism, and regional conflicts. He was the first African American to hold this position.
He was nominated by President George H.W. Bush as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1989, becoming the first African American and the youngest person to hold this position. He was the highest-ranking military officer and the principal military advisor to the president, the secretary of defense, and the National Security Council. He oversaw 28 crises, including the invasion of Panama in 1989, which resulted in the capture of dictator Manuel Noriega; and Operation Desert Storm in 1990–1991, which liberated Kuwait from Iraqi occupation. He formulated the Powell Doctrine, which states that military action should only be taken if it serves a clear national interest, has a defined objective, uses overwhelming force, has public support, and has an exit strategy.
He retired from the military in 1993 and wrote his best-selling autobiography, My American Journey, which chronicled his life and career. He also founded America’s Promise Alliance, a nonprofit organization that helps children and youth achieve their potential. He was considered a potential presidential candidate in 1996, but he decided not to run for personal and political reasons.
He returned to public service in 2001 as the secretary of state under President George W. Bush. He was the first African American to hold this position. He was responsible for conducting foreign policy and diplomacy on behalf of the United States. He dealt with many challenges, such as the September 11 attacks, the war on terror, the Afghanistan War, the Iraq War, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the North Korean nuclear crisis. He advocated for multilateralism, human rights, democracy, and free trade. He also promoted initiatives such as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which provided billions of dollars for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment in Africa and other regions; and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), which provided aid to countries that met certain criteria of good governance and economic development.
He resigned as secretary of state in 2005 and became a private citizen. He remained active in public affairs, giving speeches, writing books, serving on boards, endorsing candidates, and supporting causes. He died on October 18, 2021, at age 84 from complications of COVID-19.
Impact and Significance
Colin Powell’s educational background was an important factor in his success and reputation. His college degrees gave him credibility and expertise in his field of work. His college experiences gave him skills and values that shaped his leadership style and vision.
He was widely regarded as a role model and a trailblazer for African Americans and other minorities who aspire to achieve high positions in society. He broke many barriers and stereotypes that limited their opportunities and potential.
He was also respected as a statesman and a diplomat who represented the United States with dignity and professionalism. He earned the trust and admiration of his allies and adversaries alike.
He said that his college education was “one of the best investments” he ever made in his life. He also said that he was “proud” of his alma mater and “grateful” for what they taught him.
Interesting Anecdotes or Trivia
Here are some interesting facts or stories from Colin Powell’s college years:
- He met his wife Alma Johnson at a party while he was a student at CCNY. They married in 1962 and had three children: Michael, Linda, and Annemarie.
- He was nicknamed “The Professor” by his fellow ROTC cadets at CCNY because he wore glasses and carried books.
- He almost flunked out of CCNY after his first year because he spent too much time playing pool instead of studying.
- He received an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in 1993 for his role in the Persian Gulf War. He was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, and the Legion of Merit, among other honors.
- He was a fan of classic cars and owned several models, such as a 1955 Ford Thunderbird, a 1966 Corvette Stingray, and a 1972 Volvo 1800E.
- He was an avid reader and enjoyed books on history, biography, and leadership. Some of his favorite authors were Winston Churchill, Ernest Hemingway, and Tom Clancy.