NIU’s Bachelor Program, Energy and Engagement

NIU’s Bachelor Program, Energy and Engagement
By William Colligan

The National Intelligence University’s Bachelor of Science in Intelligence degree program has hit the ground running this year with a dynamic student body from all five uniformed services and three government agencies.  These students take on a rigorous course load to complete credits already accrued from previous undergraduate programs in order to earn their bachelor’s degree after a year of full-time study at NIU. The Class of 2012 has demonstrated a special energy in this unique year of academic exploration by tapping into the professional connections of their parent agencies by providing orientations, tours, and lectures to supplement NIU’s already rich curriculum and distinguished speaker series.

Less than a month after starting the bachelor’s program these twenty three eager undergraduates had arranged on their own initiative a briefing at the State Department on world events dealing with their current and future studies. Recently, Andy Abell, the political advisor for the Joint Staff J5 at the Pentagon, came to NIU thanks to the initiative of bachelor student David Brownstein of the State Department. Mr. Abell gave a riveting presentation on the Middle East and North Africa and the dynamics of the “Arab Spring,” which will be the theme of the student’s Capstone Project, a student driven and produced analytical endeavor that will be the crescendo of the bachelor students ‘year at NIU. We can expect many more student driven opportunities from this highly motivated and dynamic class. The high quality education offered at NIU for these intelligence professionals will last long into their careers but it is the experience and friendships they gain from this interagency environment that is sure to last a lifetime.