In January 2025, Instructional Design, Development, and Evaluation professors Moon-Heum Cho and Rob Pusch visited the latest cohort of students in the IDDE Fellowship Program.
The program is offered by Syracuse University School of Education through the Sergeant Majors Academy(SGM-A) at the Noncommissioned Officer Leadership Center of Excellence (NCOLCOE), located at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX.
“During our time there, we conducted three two-hour sessions and interacted with the military students,” says Cho. “Professor Pusch covered content from his Human Performance Technology course, while I focused on material from the Evaluation course. We also sought the students’ feedback on how to improve their educational journey.”
The academy’s relationship with the IDDE program began in 2019 when sergeants major were offered the opportunity to complete an IDDE master’s degree fully online. Syracuse was selected as SGM-A’s educational partner because of the high quality of the IDDE master’s program, as well as support offered from the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs, and the Center for Online and Digital Learning at the College of Professional Studies.
We caught up with fellowship students in Cohort 10 to learn about their military and educational journeys, why they chose the IDDE master’s degree program, and how they hope this credential will benefit their future.
SGM Rene Aleman
- Native of: Robstown, TX
- Date of Enlistment: 2000
In addition to NCOLCOE, SGM Aleman’s many assignments include those in the US, an assignment to the Republic of Korea, and deployments to Iraq, Kuwait, and Jordan.
Aleman’s military education includes Basic, Advanced, and Senior NCO courses; Recruiter School; Basic Instructor and First Sergeant courses; and the Global Combat Systems Army Warehouse Operations Course. He holds a Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas-El Paso, an M.B.A. from Webster University, and a doctorate in Business Administration with a cognate in Project Management.
“Serving my country and the Army for more than 24 years has molded me into what I am today,” Aleman says. “The IDDE program provides me an opportunity to give back to the Army and to help mold the next generation of sergeants major.”
“I plan to apply my experience as an instructor to challenge future sergeants major to expand their thinking and open their minds to new ideas and technology,” Aleman adds.
Given his extensive military and civilian education, it’s no surprise to hear that Aleman has “consistently challenged” himself throughout his career: “As a recruiter, I promoted educational benefits, but I did not hold a degree. I sought out my first degree just to apply what I spoke about and ‘walk the talk.'”
“The IDDE program provides me an opportunity to give back to the Army and to help mold the next generation of sergeants major.”
SGM Rene Aleman
Aleman then pursued higher educational goals “to prove you can complete a doctoral degree while on active duty.” Enrolling in the IDDE program continues that quest: “I want to leverage the IDDE program to grow my understanding of technology and educate those around me. IDDE aligns with my long-term career goals as an educator, instructor, and mentor.”
SGM Lourdes M. Barragan
- Native of: Abilene, TX
- Date of Enlistment: 2001
SGM Barragan’s almost 24 years of service has included duty locations throughout the US, as well as two combat deployments to Iraq and an overseas assignment in Germany. In that time, she served the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) as a Drill Sergeant and Battalion Command Sergeant Major, as well as Forces Command (FORSCOM) and the Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM).
Barragan’s awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Military Intelligence Corps Knowlton award, signifying contributions to the Military Intelligence community and its soldiers. Barragan attained her Bachelor of Science degree from Excelsior University in 2018.
“My answer to why I joined the School of Education’s IDDE program might be slightly different than my peers,” explains Barragan. “This program permits me to develop and continue my love for lifelong learning while allowing my fiancé and me to serve at NCOLCOE together.”
The IDDE curriculum, which focuses on creating educational products across technological platforms, piqued Barragan’s interest: “I appreciate the focus on practical skills and the use of educational technology to deliver high-quality instructional solutions.” Barragan also notes that a friend recommended the program, saying “it has good benefits post-military as well.”
“This degree allows me to serve at every key milestone of a soldier’s career and continue to support them during significant moments in their military careers.”
SGM Lourdes Barragan
Like her Cohort 10 peers, Barragan says the IDDE master’s degree program “gives me another opportunity to give back.”
“I will have the opportunity to teach future sergeants major once I complete my degree. I will be responsible for developing future curriculum, which would not have been possible without this program,” explains Barragan. “One word sums up my life and career: service. “From the moment I joined, I have had unwavering support from my fellow soldiers who helped mold me into the person I am today,” says Barragan. “This degree allows me to serve at every key milestone of a soldier’s career and continue to support senior noncommissioned officers in their success.” She notes that the instructional design program will allow her continued investment in senior leaders, “equipping them to continue to shape and guide the next generation of soldiers.”
“The program has provided me with countless opportunities to bridge knowledge, skill, and attitude gaps and shape future curriculum,” she continues. “This program provides both government and private sectors paths towards success post-military and allows me to continue serving through education and self-development.”
SGM Brady Ryan Davis
- Native of: Dallas, TX
- Date of Enlistment: 2000
After basic training, SGM Davis completed Advanced Individual Training, the US Army Airborne School, and the Ranger Indoctrination Program at Fort Benning, GA, before his assignment to Charlie Company, 3d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment as an anti-tank gunner.
Davis has served in multiple duty positions for the 75th Ranger Regiment, including as Headquarters and Headquarters Company First Sergeant. He deployed multiple times in support of the Global War on Terrorism and Operation Inherent Resolve, including as Command Sergeant Major for the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment. Following this assignment, Davis served as a Brigade Command Sergeant Major in the 82nd Airborne, deployed to Poland, and then as a Nominative Sergeant Major within the US Army Forces Command (FORSCOM).
Davis’ military education includes the Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer and Maneuver Advanced Noncommissioned Officer courses, US Army Airborne School, US Army Ranger School, and Jumpmaster and Pathfinder courses. His bachelor’s degree is from Thomas Edison State University and his master’s is from the American Military University.
Davis describes his military career path as “non-standard.” Deployed “perpetually” with the 75th Ranger Regiment from 2001 to 2016, his first change of station was at SGM-A, “where I felt I would be an outcast as I did not know many ‘basic Army things.’”
However, Davis found he excelled in the academic environment, assisting fellow students and participating in traditional military activities he had only read about during 16 years of service: “This left such a lasting impact on me that I was determined to find my way back to the Academy to continue mentoring and educating our future leaders.”
“The opportunity to attend Syracuse University and hone my skills in instructional design seemed to fit well with my proficiencies and attributes,” continues Davis. “It allows me an opportunity to give back through my experience as a Nominative Level Sergeant Major with the additional skillset I will learn through my Syracuse education.”
Davis says once he retires from the military, he hopes to continue service as a federal employee, “utilizing the credentials I am receiving with my IDDE degree.”
SGM Liela Shadmani
- Native of: Guam
- Date of Enlistment: 2002
After graduating basic combat training at Fort Jackson, SC, SGM Shadmani graduated the dental specialist course at Joint Base San Antonio, TX. Her duty stations have included Fort Carson, CO; Fort Drum, NY; Fort Jackson; Fort Riley, KS; Baghdad; and South Korea.
In addition to serving as a dental specialist, Shadmani has been a dental and triage NCO, Platoon Sergeant, Small Group Leader with the 1st Infantry Division Warrior Leader Course, and Team Lead NCO at the US Army Physical Fitness School. She also has served as First Sergeant with the Dental Health Activity at Fort Jackson and Fort Drum; First Sergeant at the 10th Mountain Division NCO Academy; and Clinical Operations SGM for the William Beaumont Army Medical Hospital.
In addition to an M.S. in Sports and Health and B.S. in Exercise Science, Shadmani holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Liberty University. Her military education includes courses for Sergeant Major, Master Resilience Facilitator and Trainer, and Master Fitness Trainer.
“My overarching goal is to create meaningful changes within the US Department of Education as a second career,” says Shadmani. “But for now, I’m focused on being an asset across the military. I’ve seen firsthand the critical role education plays in shaping effective leaders and teams.”
In her previous roles as an instructor, Shadmani has had “the opportunity to shape young leaders and help them understand the importance of self-efficacy.”
“The more I immerse myself in education within the Army, the more I see gaps that need to be addressed,” she continues “I want to be a part of filling those gaps by empowering soldiers and leaders with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed—giving them the confidence and sense of worth to tackle any challenge they face.”
Shadmani says SOE’s IDDE program is helping her gain the tools she needs to make a lasting impact on leadership development within the Army and beyond: “I’m excited to continue this journey and bring what I learn into my future endeavors.”