In Fall 2016, as a result of a shared understanding of the importance of excellence in national security education, The Institute of World of World Politics signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mercyhurst University. Since then, the two schools have continued to work together to promote the shared goal of preparing leaders for our nation’s national security and intelligence communities.
“We are very excited to partner with them in this mission,” commented IWP Director of Graduate Recruitment Tim Stebbins. “IWP has hosted many interns from Mercyhurst, and we have been thoroughly impressed. We are delighted that we have had a few Mercyhurst graduates join our MA program this fall.”
Above: Mercyhurst graduate Calvin Eichhorn joined IWP this fall.
Calvin Eichhorn, a Mercyhurst graduate who just joined IWP this fall, hails from Buffalo, New York. His interest in intelligence studies brought him to Mercyhurst, which, in turn, impacted his career aspirations. He comments: “As a Junior at Mercyhurst, I had the opportunity to take a class on Intelligence in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy, taught by an Intelligence Studies professor who had been a career Foreign Service Officer. The ideas we discussed in that class inspired me to enter the Foreign Service, which is now my ultimate career goal.”
Calvin is now an MA candidate in IWP’s Statecraft and International Affairs program. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my first few weeks here at IWP,” he said. “The foundational philosophy and the foreign policy ideas I have been exposed to so far will be invaluable in the future.”
Above: Joseph Ryan joined IWP this semester after graduating from Mercyhurst.
Joseph Ryan, another Mercyhurst student who began this semester, is originally from Winnetka, Illinois. He was recruited to Mercyhurst to play water polo, and served as a captain of this team for two years. At Mercyhurst, he majored in intelligence studies with a minor in business administration.
Now an MA candidate in the Statecraft and National Security program concentrating in intelligence, Joseph commented: “The discussions at IWP are probably my favorite part. The mix of professors with exceptional professional backgrounds and a diverse student body generate really interesting conversations on any number of topics. It seems like every week at IWP I’m learning about something really cool that another student or professor is involved in.”
IWP’s agreement with Mercyhurst states that Mercyhurst students graduating with degrees in international affairs, national security, intelligence, or related fields will receive special partner scholarships at IWP. These scholarships also apply to Mercyhurst alumni.
Additionally, Mercyhurst University and IWP will host an annual lecture exchange to allow students from each institution to learn more about the other. Dr. James G. Breckenridge, Dean at the time of the Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Sciences at Mercyhurst, spoke at IWP this past April on the topic of “Leadership and Intelligence: The Key Intersection.” This event was followed by a special reception at IWP for Mercyhurst alumni.
“We very much enjoyed working with Dr. Breckenridge,” commented Mr. Stebbins. “Now that he has moved on to the Army War College, we look forward to continuing the partnership under the leadership of Dr. Duncan McGill.”
IWP professor John Sano, Former Deputy Director of the CIA’s National Clandestine Service, gave a lecture at Mercyhurst in November 2016. He addressed a large auditorium of about 150 students, and discussed his life working for the CIA, the hiring process, and what character traits can make someone successful at that agency.
Above: Mercyhurst student Natalie Merucci interned at IWP during summer 2017.
This past summer, Natalie Merucci participated in the IWP internship program. Natalie is a now a senior at Mercyhurst University, where she is majoring in Intelligence Studies and Psychology. At IWP, she took Dr. Schroeder’s Defense Strategy, Planning, and Budgeting course and conducted counterterrorism research. Of her internship, she commented “The experience I received during The Institute of World Politics internship was one that not only went above and beyond my expectations, but also supported my progress toward reaching my full potential as both a professional and an individual.”
IWP looks forward to its next visit to Mercyhurst for the Ridge College Career Fair, which is currently planned for 10:00AM-4:00PM on October 11th.