From November 11
Central Intelligence Agency Director John Brennan announced on a visit to to UNM on Thursday that the University is to be the first participant in the CIA’s new signature school program, while also commenting on the security challenges that the U.S. faces.
Brennan, who was introduced by UNM President Bob Frank, has been a part of the CIA for three years, and said UNM could have an impact on the CIA’s mission, saying that, from what he has seen, “the spirit of multidisciplinary learning and innovation is alive” at the University.
Brennan expanded on UNM’s involvement with program, explaining that the partnership has already cemented the University’s reputation as an institution that makes decisive contributions to national security. Expressing his confidence in UNM, Brennan explained the program will continue to produce young men and women that can contribute to intelligence work, as well as diversify the agency.
According to a University release, specifics of the partnership center around providing UNM students with firsthand opportunities to connect with the agency, through opportunities to engage with CIA officials in simulations, the development of future programs with the help of the CIA and regular outreach by the agency on campus.
“Challenges we face as a nation and as a global community are immensely complicated,” he said. “One of the things that I am dedicated to doing is making sure that I am able to attract as many bright and talented people in CIA, and it gives me great source of satisfaction to know that the University of New Mexico is the inaugural school for our program.”
Aside from specifically discussing UNM’s involvement in the program, Brennan commented on the three major issues that the U.S. currently faces: the fact that the world is less stable than it used to be, that terrorism has grown exponentially over the last half-century and that certain terrorist groups are too much in control of certain areas.
Brennan also commented on a relatively new kind of terrorist threat.
“Cyber-evolution presents humanity with an entirely new domain, one that offers great promise and also great risk,” he said. “As we have seen in the Middle East and elsewhere, the trend is contributing to the rise of global instability.”
President Frank, before welcoming Brennan to the stage, called the collaboration an exciting opportunity for both students and faculty.
“We think it is a great partnership for the recruiting of students and to enhance the number of students we have that have great opportunities for the future,” Frank said.
Wilfred Chavez, a sophomore political science and international studies double-major, voices his support for the new program and UNM's involvement.
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“I think it is great, especially being from New Mexico,” Chavez said. “It feels like a lot of times we are overlooked but this gives us a chance to show that we are [a] prestigious school.”
Another student, junior political science major James Boone, shed light on how students in any major could benefit from the program.
“It is a good way to be exposed to what is going on, instead of being closed-minded. It also gives you an insight of what is like to apply to a government agency and what they expect,” Bone said. “I think it could be very beneficial to work for the government. It is very hard to get a job in certain agencies.”
Chavez also said that with the diversity the CIA is striving for, the program gives more students and people of different backgrounds the opportunity to be a part of an intelligence agency. He also said the importance of being involved in similar programs with entities like the CIA can’t be understated.
“The more programs we get at UNM the better it is. There is somebody interested in everything,” he said. “This helps people and students expose themselves to different things in the world.”
