Seton Hall University in New Jersey is addressing the nation’s growing security challenges with a new National Security Graduate Fellowship. The program, housed in the School of Diplomacy and International Relations, pairs graduate students with U.S. government agencies to conduct research on pressing foreign‑policy and security issues.
Hands‑on experience for future analysts
Founder and former Department of Defense official Mohamad Mirghahari says the fellowship’s goal is to have students “ready day one” when they enter the workforce. With an 80% placement rate, alumni have secured positions at the NSA, CIA, Secret Service, the military and defense contractors.
Mirghahari, who served as a presidential appointee and senior advisor to the Transportation Security Administration, emphasizes that the program is unique because students work on live projects for agencies that lack sufficient resources. “Our graduate students are actually tackling real‑world national security challenges and issues from government agencies,” he explained.
Real‑time research on evolving threats
The fellowship has produced research for the State Department on how the United States might re‑engage with the Taliban if the group returns to power in Afghanistan. Projects have also examined strategic concerns involving China, India, Pakistan and the South China Sea.
In addition to traditional geopolitical topics, the program focuses on emerging challenges such as artificial intelligence, data mining and foreign influence operations. Students use AI tools, graph theory and other analytical methods to sift through large data sets, providing agencies with timely insights.
Bridging the skills gap
Mirghahari notes that younger students often bring technological expertise that government analysts may lack. “Artificial intelligence, data and all these different things impacting our national security play a major role in our work,” he said.
By allowing students to conduct research that is later recirculated within agencies, the fellowship helps fill a critical skills gap and ensures that the next generation of national‑security professionals can hit the ground running.
Program structure and support
Practitioners from across the federal government serve as guest lecturers and professors, giving students direct insight into field experiences. The fellowship typically requires a five‑year commitment in a national‑security position after graduation, ensuring that the knowledge gained is applied in real‑world settings.
“Some of the feedback we’ve received from agencies is, ‘Your students are well‑equipped. They’re better than some of the people who have been here for five to ten years,’” Mirghahari said.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
