A new program is paving the way for students to pursue careers in national intelligence. Federal cuts have left the University footing the bill as its leaders work to boost the program. 

Recently, the Intelligence Community Centers for Academic Excellence formed an ASU Intelligence Community Fellows program with 62 students. In Fall 2025, the U.S. intelligence community launched a political science course at ASU, with around 60 students currently enrolled. They also developed plans for an undergraduate certificate in U.S. national security and a graduate concentration in intelligence studies at the University. 

In September 2024, the University was awarded a nine-year, $2.4 million grant from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to establish an IC CAE under the Future Security Initiative, with support from the ASU School of Politics and Global Studies. However, under the Trump administration, this grant has been terminated. 

In an interview on The Megyn Kelly Show, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said the ODNI Human Capital Office, which oversaw the grant, was closed over concerns about diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. 

“Because of the importance and value of the program, ASU made the decision to continue the program,” Col. Erich Schneider, the faculty director for the IC CAE and a retired officer from the U.S. Army, said in a written statement. 

The program’s leadership is committed to offering students opportunities to prepare for entering the intelligence industry with the fellows program, courses and certificate, Schneider said.  

José Moreno, the senior global coordinator for Barrett, the Honors College and a retired U.S. Army officer, said national intelligence careers are demanding and require a varied skill set to meet expectations for the future of intelligence.

The University is an ideal environment for this program because of the variety of academic specialties students pursue, Moreno said.

Schneider said the ASU Charter promotes many of the values and skills encouraged by the IC CAE. The program is also trying to recruit a diverse range of candidates with specialties ranging from the sciences to the arts, Schneider said.

Diversity and collaboration in the program allows students to take multiple approaches on issues, Moreno said, an especially useful attitude for national security.

Collaboration and teamwork is especially important in the program because people end up learning new skills from each other and finding different ways to work with others, Schneider said. 

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“We get to see a variety of places where your expertise can have effect,” Moreno said.

Schneider and Moreno also said this type of work calls for selfless, patriotic leaders with the intent to serve.

“We’re looking for leadership.” Schneider said. “We’re looking for decision makers.” 

Moreno said they are putting together the next generation of the intelligence community and need to foster a strong group of people who are ready to take on challenges.

Aysha Viene, a junior studying computer systems engineering and a member of the ASU Intelligence Community Fellows program, said it helps students gain more experience in potential national intelligence career paths.

“There is something that’s very admirable about actually going in and working for a country in one of these agencies,” Viene said. “National security, it really is of utmost importance.”

Viene said it is crucial to her that citizens feel safe and their privacy is respected. Viene said she is committed to using her skills to ensure that.

Schneider said the program is motivated by a desire to help achieve national defense goals.

“We can’t rely on our military in order to achieve our national security objectives,” Schneider said. “We have to have this civilian national security force that’s just as powerful, just as strong and just as well-funded.”

Schneider said the IC CAE program is focused on recruiting more students in the upcoming years and preparing them for rigorous government intelligence jobs. 

“We want ASU to be considered a premier institution for national security and intelligence studies,” Schneider said. “We have an amazing student body with so many things to offer our nation for service.” 

Edited by Carsten Oyer, Senna James and Pippa Fung.

Reach the reporter at apruiz@asu.edu and follow @andiruiz2405 on X. 

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Andi RuizPolitics Reporter

Andi Ruiz is a politics reporter at the State Press dedicated to serving her community with truth and honesty in her reporting. She has been working in broadcast and news since high school and was recently an anchor at The Cut Network during her first year at Cronkite. She is going into her second year at ASU as a Barrett Honors student studying journalism and mass communication with a minor in political science. 

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