The 2024 Summer Institute
This summer, the Center for Security Studies (CSS) at the Walsh School of Foreign Service (SFS) welcomed its third cohort of students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) across the country as part of its annual Security Studies Summer Institute. Undergraduate students from different majors and academic backgrounds are invited to contribute their diverse perspectives on national and international security, and the summer institute aims to develop an understanding of key security issues, expose students to a wide network of security professionals in the D.C. area, and strengthen analytical thinking and writing.
Representing 17 students from a wide range of universities— including Howard, Spelman, Morehouse, Alabama A&M, and Bethune-Cookman — and running from June 9-15, 2024, the institute offers a week-long immersive experience designed to expose students to various facets of national security and policymaking.
Students began with a welcome dinner featuring discussions on diversity in national security, setting the tone for a week filled with high-profile engagements and practical insights. Highlights included a discussion with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and distinguished fellow in the Security Studies Program (SSP), General Mark A. Milley (Retired), who spoke about the importance of public service, civil-military relations, and different careers in the field of national security.
Students also had the opportunity to visit several locations of strategic importance across Washington D.C., including a Capitol Hill visit to meet with staff from the House Homeland Security Committee and a visit to the Pentagon, where students met with senior staff in the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy. The agenda also featured a cyber and AI seminar led by SSP core faculty, Dr. Andrew Imbrie, at the Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET) and a visit to the Cyber and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Students had the unique opportunity to engage with senior figures like Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Dr. Stacey Dixon during a fireside chat and gain a behind-the-scenes look at the National Security Agency. The week culminated with a visit to the Spy Museum, including an exclusive discussion on counterespionage led by Museum Director and SSP adjunct faculty member Col. Christopher P. Costa (Retired). Throughout the summer institute, students participated in career development activities, networked with alumni, and conversed with security practitioners – all designed to inspire the next generation of national security and international affairs professionals.
Beyond academic site visits, the students also participated in DC’s vibrant tourist culture, with a moonlight trolley tour of famous landmarks including the Washington Monument, Ford’s theater, the Martin Luther King Junior Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, and war memorials such as World War II and Vietnam.
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The summer institute served as a transformative experience for several students who participated in it. Mia Douglas (2022 Cohort, MSFS ‘26) describes her time at the Institute in 2022 as “completely enchanting and inspiring,” while Isabella Munoz (2023 Cohort, SSP ‘26) explained that, “during the week-long institute, every day felt like a dream-come-true experience.”
Mia and Isabella were drawn to the summer institute for its unique offering of insights into the vast field of national security. For Mia, the program was an extension of her advocacy for career and professional development as Vice President of her institution’s Honors Program. Isabella, initially focused solely on foreign affairs, found the summer institute’s inclusivity and broad approach appealing. “I allowed myself to explore what other career paths might exist for my broad skill set, personal and professional experiences, and commitment to women’s leadership and gender empowerment. The free-of-cost program was an excellent opportunity for my open-minded and independent personality.”
The program historically featured interactions with high-ranking officials such as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield and former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson. “Meeting these influential figures showed us that it is possible for a woman to pursue a career in a field largely dominated by men,” Isabella adds.
Mia highlights the program’s immersive nature, with visits to the Pentagon, the United Nations DC office, and the Defense Intelligence Agency. “The Pentagon visit was profound because, as HBCU students, we all had a seat at the table to share our stories and ask thought-provoking questions,” she recalls. The program also included classes on various subjects of importance to national and international security policy taught by SSP faculty, who are leading experts in their respective fields.
