A Rumsfeld Fellowship was recently awarded to IWP student Jennifer Smith,* who is currently enrolled in the Master of Arts Program in Strategic Intelligence Studies.
The Rumsfeld Foundation, which is committed to promoting liberty and leadership, created this graduate fellowship to “provide grants to promising students with an interest in serving the nation through policy-relevant fields or by pursuing a career in public service.” This is the second year IWP students have received this fellowship.
An Ivy League graduate, Jennifer currently works as a researcher at a private company, while taking classes around her work schedule. She is particularly interested in researching human intelligence and counterintelligence.
Jennifer comments: “It seems like the Rumsfeld Fellowship Program has a strong community of past and current fellows, and I’m excited to be among such a prestigious group.”
Jennifer chose the Institute because “…compared to similar programs, it seemed like the most hands-on. IWP looked like it had the most direct approach to the study of issues related to national security and defense. The faculty also came highly recommended.”
She has already taken many of the courses required in the Strategic Intelligence Studies degree. “All of the courses have been challenging and stimulating in terms of developing my writing skills,” she says. “They have also motivated me to be more inquisitive and investigative in terms of researching national security issues and state affairs.”
So far, Jennifer has excelled in her coursework at IWP. In fact, one of our intelligence professors has described her as “the best student I have had in over 12 years.”
Jennifer is taking a course on international relations this summer, and during her fellowship, she will complete courses on political warfare and other core curriculum courses in her intelligence degree program.
Of her future, Jennifer says, “I am looking forward to a career in public service.”
Jennifer is the third recipient of this fellowship at IWP, following Rebecca Buchheit, who graduated as Valedictorian of the Class of 2014 with an M.A. Statecraft and National Security Affairs.
“We at IWP are honored to be amongst those institutions selected by Secretary and Mrs. Rumsfeld to nominate outstanding students for Rumsfeld Fellowships,” comments IWP founder and president John Lenczowski. “The Rumsfeld Foundation is rendering an uncommon service to our country by supporting young leaders of extraordinary talent and achievement in the professional study of the highest public policy priority: the achievement of peace and security for our nation.”
*Name changed for security purposes.