PRESIDENTIAL SPEAKER SERIES: “How Not to Get in Your Own Way”

The Office of the President hosted a fireside chat on November 10, 2025 with former US Army Surgeon General, LTG (ret.) Nadja West, on shaping public policy, advancing change, healthcare, and the importance of personal growth. 

Ramapo Presidential Speaker Series 2025

Ramapo Presidential Speaker Series 2025

Ramapo Presidential Speaker Series 2025

During General West’s visit with Ramapo College, she spent time with students in our Public Policy class as well as with community partners. In addition, she participated in an intimate roundtable discussion with students representing the Honors Program, EMS Club, Nursing Student Organization, Ebony Women for Social Change, Pre-Med Club, and others.

A recording of the fireside chat is available for a limited time to Rampo College community members. 

LTG (ret.) Nadja West

Lieutenant General (retired) Nadja West is the 44th Surgeon General of the U.S. Army and the former Commanding General of the U.S. Army Medical Command. In 2015 West became the first African American woman in the Army’s history to achieve the rank of Lieutenant General, and the highest-ranking woman graduate of the United States Military Academy. A graduate of The George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, West completed residencies in Family Medicine and Dermatology and has held various clinical, operational and leadership positions throughout her more than 30-year career as a Soldier.

In her culminating assignment in the Army, West managed a budget of $11 billion and led the Army Medical Department, consisting of more than 130,000 dedicated healthcare professionals comprised of Active, Guard and Reserve Soldiers, Department of the Army Civilians, contractors and Red Cross volunteers serving around the globe. In addition to West’s military awards, decorations and honors, she also received the Monumental Alumni Award from The George Washington University, and was inducted into the U.S. Army Women’s Foundation Hall of Fame. In 2022 West was awarded the West Point Association of Graduates Distinguished Graduate Award, the first year a woman graduate has ever been honored with such a recognition. West was a Hauser Leader at the Harvard Kennedy School Center for Public Leadership 2019-2021, and is currently a Distinguished Fellow of the Fuqua/Coach K Center on Leadership and Ethics.

She serves on the boards for several nonprofit, public, and academic institutions and organizations, as well as on the advisory council of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. From 2022-2025 West served on the United States Military Academy Board of Visitors as a Presidential appointee. West and her husband have two awesome adult children.