KU Law a partner in grant to establish intelligence, national security curriculum
LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas has received a grant to develop an intelligence and national security curriculum to provide students with the capabilities crucial to the national security interest of the United States.
KU has partnered with Dodge City Community College, Donnelly College and Seward County Community College to form the Kansas Consortium for Intelligence and Security Studies, which is the recipient of a $1.5 million Defense Intelligence Agency grant.
The grant is made possible through the DIA’s Intelligence Community Centers for Academic Excellence (IC CAE) program, which was established in 2005 to support the need for qualified intelligence professionals to carry out the United States’ national security initiatives. Through the program, a select group of about 40 institutions across the nation is educating students to better understand the intelligence community and its role in securing the nation. By instituting intelligence-focused curricula, supporting cultural immersion, and advancing critical skills education, IC CAE schools are considered by the intelligence community to be important partners in meeting the nation’s need for multi-disciplinary job applicants.
KU’s investigating team includes Paul Atchley, associate dean in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences; Mike Hoeflich, John H. & John M. Kane Distinguished Professor of Law; Carl Taylor, director of security, and Mike Denning, director of graduate military studies.
“This grant will allow KU and our partner schools to assist in building a culturally and ethnically diverse intelligence community, which contributes to our nation’s security,” said Atchley, the principal investigator for the award. “In turn, KU benefits from having a greater understanding of how the intelligence community works and assisting our students in finding meaningful internships and jobs. This was a competitive grant process, and it speaks well of KU’s capabilities that the Defense Intelligence Agency selected us to be part of this program.”
The five-year grant includes funding for minority student scholarships, faculty research grants, and curriculum development.