The First Woman to Lead the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets

Alyssa Marie Michalke of Schulenburg, Texas, will take over as Commander of the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University at the end of the spring semester. She will continue to lead the 2,400-member Corps throughout her senior year. She will be the first woman to the lead the Corps of Cadets in the 139-year history of Texas A&M University.

Michalke is majoring in ocean and civil engineering. She currently holds the post of Corps Sergeant Major, the highest rank for any Cadet who is not a senior. She is the first woman in university history to hold that post.

“I am deeply honored to have been selected to serve as the next Corps Commander and will do my very best to uphold the tradition of leading my fellow cadets, while also continuing to learn and grow. The Corps of Cadets has provided me a tremendous opportunity to grow as a person and to develop good leadership skills. More importantly, I’ve been able to mentor others, and I will continue to do so in my new position as Corps Commander,” Michalke said.

Women were first permitted to join the Corps of Cadets in 1974. During the current academic year, women make up about one eighth of all Corps members.