In support of U.S. Africa Command's mission and cadet personal development, Major Crystal M. Hills, assistant professor of English, planned an Advance Individual Academic Development (AIAD) trip to Ghana, West Africa, to enhance West Point Military Academy cadets' understanding of the African human condition by learning productive ways to interpret and understand differences.

The 12-day trip that began June 11, 2010, made it possible to continue efforts to promote the mission's goals and increase West Point’s enrollment of African American cadets.

AIAD planners said they believe West Point is more inviting because it extends its definition of “duty” beyond the folds of the United States to less developed countries, such as Ghana. This position reaffirms to West Point supporters and critics that we care about diversity at West Point, in the United States, and abroad and that we are committed to exposing our cadets to these enriching experiences which will improve human relations at home and abroad.

The trip - the second of its kind - included a one-week service project sponsored by Global Volunteers in the New Akrade Community in the Volta Region of the country. During this event-filled week, participants taught in the junior high and primary schools, and continued work at a construction site of a pre-kindergarten classroom and computer lab.