Trinity Magazine: Fall 2005

Intelligence Studies Initiative

Trinity launches a new academic program in intelligence studies.

Analyzing the economic trends of a country in Asia. Assessing the impact of a political change in one of the members of the European Union. Researching the impact of religious movements on a small country. Using mathematical analysis to monitor the movements of terrorists. Drawing on excellent writing and critical thinking skills to prepare a national security briefing. These are just a few of the wide range of skills and knowledge the U.S. intelligence agencies need to ensure national security and support U.S. foreign relations.

With a federal mandate to increase significantly the number of qualified personnel in its 15 federal agencies, the U.S. Intelligence Community is turning to higher education to encourage students to consider an intelligence career and prepare them with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful. The U.S. Intelligence Community selected Trinity to establish a pilot program for this new initiative.

The Intelligence Community Center of Academic Excellence (ICCAE) at Trinity was established in 2004 with a $250,000 federal grant from the U.S. Intelligence Community. This one-year grant, which is in the process of being renewed for two more years, launched a pilot program aimed to increase the pool of eligible applicants for positions in intelligence agencies by raising awareness among college and high school students. While the program is designed to increase the pool of all applicants, there is a particular emphasis from the intelligence agencies on women, persons with disabilities and ethnic minorities, with diverse cultural backgrounds, language proficiency, geographical expertise and related skills.

There are four components to the Intelligence studies program at Trinity:

• Curriculum Development, in which faculty members are revising curricular components and developing new courses that relate to intelligence studies. Trinity faculty have participated in professional development seminars to learn about the skills the intelligence agencies are seeking.
   
• Intelligence Community Scholars, a selective academic program for Trinity students. Students accepted into the program take intelligence-related courses customized to their academic interests and major and are eligible for travel scholarships for study abroad experiences through travel scholarships, and internships at intelligence agencies.
   
• Academic Colloquium for students and faculty at Washington-area colleges and universities. The theme for the spring 2005 Colloquium was “The Future of Intelligence: Meeting the Challenges.”
   
• Spy Camp, a week-long, pre-collegiate summer seminar, which was held in July to expose high school students to the many agency careers available. The program included field trips to the CIA and Spy Museum and an intelligence simulation. In summer 2006, Trinity plans to add a summer seminar for high school teachers.

“Some people are surprised that Trinity, with our commitment to social justice and ethics, was selected to be the pilot program – and that we accepted the opportunity,” notes Dr. Kathleen McGinnis, professor of political science and director of the ICCAE. “But it really makes perfect sense for Trinity to launch this initiative. Our focus on ethics across the curriculum was a key factor in the Intelligence Community approaching Trinity – the agencies know they need people who think and act ethically.” She adds that “Trinity’s reputation for high quality, and our curricular emphasis on strong writing, excellent research and critical thinking were factors in the decision to start the pilot program at Trinity.

McGinnis notes that another Trinity advantage is that its “small size, yet comprehensive structure, makes it easy to implement
changes and new programs without a lot of red tape. Being located in the Washington area allows Trinity students easy access to the intelligence agencies and other organizations, a fact that also played a part in the decision.”

McGinnis, who has taught political science at Trinity since 1975, emphasizes that “the Intelligence program provides tremendous opportunities for our students. The tie between Trinity and the CIA and other intelligence agencies seems counter intuitive, but Trinity is the perfect preparation for the intelligence field. Trinity’s liberal arts education, with particular attention to critical thinking, writing and ethics means our students are naturally ready to move into jobs in intelligence agencies. Through the revision of currently offered courses, and the creation of new ones, students become more aware of the career options available in the intelligence communities and they are better prepared for employment in the field.

“The intelligence agencies are not recruiting more women, minorities, and persons with disabilities simply to fill a quota. Work in the intelligence community requires a wider variety of skills, perspectives and knowledge than ever before. These agencies have had difficulty adapting to the changing environment, and they are realizing that their employees need to look like the world.” McGinnis explains that the environment has changed considerably from the time when the U.S. was geared up to fight the Cold War. New languages have to be spoken. New locations have to be studied. Diverse ideas must be understood and embraced.

McGinnis became involved in the Intelligence studies program to enhance the liberal arts education of Trinity students. She feels that this is a win-win relationship for everyone involved: “Students get a more robust education, professors take part in professional development, and the intelligence community can take advantage of a better pool of applicants.”

Nine students were selected to be Intelligence Community Scholars in the first year of the program, and 14 more were selected this year, after careful evaluation by faculty. “These are high caliber students. They are very academic and possess excellent character,” says McGinnis. “Intellectual curiosity would be a defining characteristic shared by all of the scholars. Looking at the students individually, each one is very distinct. This program will help each scholar develop as an individual within the context of her academic development.”

McGinnis notes that one of the student scholars selected in the first year, Jesmeen Kahn, “is not someone who would normally have come to the attention of intelligence agencies. Jesmeen is academically outstanding, but she is soft-spoken. She has studied Arabic and she is part of the Muslim community, and she embraces American values.” McGinnis adds that “Jesmeen brings a new perspective to the intelligence community. She also possesses excellent qualitative and analytical skills.”

Tanjier Belton had perhaps the greatest growth of the scholars, according to McGinnis. “Service, character, and a desire to contribute come to mind when I think of Tanjier. She is motivated for the right reasons. Tanjier truly maximized her study abroad experience. I think this experience was life changing for her.”

Faculty members also have a renewed energy, as they develop intellectually challenging courses with a focus on analytical skills. An emphasis on writing skills is being added to several classes that were not previously writing intensive.

With the first year of the pilot program complete, McGinnis has a strong sense of satisfaction. “Trinity has benefited greatly from this grant. The program has increased the visibility of Trinity in the academic community and has put the spotlight on our graduates for placement in intelligence agencies. Through the Academic Colloquium, we brought to campus top scholars and active professionals in the intelligence field. Our students and faculty have had the opportunity to learn from professionals they otherwise would not have, and they are able to further mesh majors with career opportunities. Trinity is an exemplary model for Intelligence Community Centers of Academic Excellence being established at other colleges and universities across the country, and we are the information hub for universities planning to apply for future grants.”

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