Yvonne Hardy is an Assistant Professor and Faculty Program Coordinator for the Military Leadership Program at Palomar College. A retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Sergeant with 20 years of active-duty service, she supported global humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and counterinsurgency operations across multiple deployments. Her military career included service as a Drill Instructor and as a Faculty Advisor for Marine Corps University’s College of Enlisted Military Education. Professor Hardy’s academic credentials reflect a broad interdisciplinary background, encompassing social psychology, higher education administration, management, and leadership. yhardy@palomar.edu

Dan Balaszek is an Assistant Professor in the Military Leadership Program at Palomar College. A retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Sergeant with over 23 years of active service, he supported global humanitarian, disaster relief, and anti-insurgency operations across multiple FMF components and deployments. Professor Balaszek brings a well-rounded academic foundation to his teaching, with degrees spanning the liberal arts, including history, religion, leadership, and business administration. dbalaszek@palomar.edu