Students & Alumni

“I am so appreciative of your generosity, and I would like to thank you so much for making this award possible. It’s a great honor that you selected me for this award, and I will not disappoint you.” -Aubrey Hodges to our alumni donors IWP M.A. candidate Aubrey Hodges has been awarded the 2023 IWP…

Jenna Akers and Taylor Weinsz have been selected for the prestigious Rumsfeld Fellowship for the 2023-24 school year. This fellowship includes scholarship funds to enable Jenna and Taylor to continue their graduate studies at IWP, as well as events that connect them to an extensive network of current and former Rumsfeld Fellows, the great majority…

During his graduate studies at IWP, Erik fully delved into the experience. He quit his job to become a full-time student, spent significant time doing extracurricular reading in addition to his assigned readings, and shared his research in public lectures at the Institute. Since graduating, Erik has worked for a political risk consulting firm, consulted…

IWP student Dr. Baiju Gandhi made a presentation on the Violent Non-State Actor (VNSA) panel at the Intelligence Studies Consortium held at the George Mason University on 24 March. The conference theme was “Intelligence Support for the 2022 National Security Strategy.” Dr. Gandhi, a consultation-liaison psychiatrist who is working towards the IWP Non-Violent Conflict graduate…

Mark Balboni came to IWP in 2012 when he was transitioning from an infantry role to being a Strategist with the U.S. Army. Since graduating, he has worked on the staff of the 1st Cavalry Division, U.S. Army War College, and Combined Forces Command in the Republic of Korea. He is now serving as an…

Isaac Brocato (’19) came to IWP with an interest in helping international communities, and he focused his studies on East Africa. He is now working with PATH International in Ethiopia, where he helps provide education, tutoring, and character-building activities for orphans and vulnerable children while providing their parents with business training to help them become…

Zachary Sheren (’02) began his studies at IWP when he was transitioning from serving with the U.S. Navy to serving in the Intelligence Community. After a stint at the Office of Naval Intelligence, Zach’s IWP education helped him obtain a position with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, where he currently serves as Assistant Special Agent…

Brian J. Smith (’17) has helped his firm, Global Security Resolutions (GSR), launch a new security service for corporate and private aviation aircraft entering or leaving Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA). This new Armed Security Officer (ASO) program is run through the Department of Homeland Security Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Federal Air Marshals Service. GSR…

Littoral Commander was “a valuable experience in making time-constrained decisions…using finite resources with incomplete information to achieve an objective.” – IWP student Julia Wilson A dozen IWP students met on a recent Saturday and played out near-future combat between the Chinese navy and army and the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, learning valuable lessons about…

“IWP was a lifesaver for me. I was at the Naval War College, and I needed to stay in D.C. and get my electives out of the way. At the time, I did not realize the impact IWP would have on my career – I am forever appreciative of my time at the school.” -Jake…