Building a National Security Program at a Small School: Identifying Opportunities and Overcoming Challenges

ABSTRACT

This article offers insights into the overall program development process and—institutional obstacles and constraints notwithstanding—successful introduction of a new national security program at a small liberal arts university at a time of growing institutional prioritization of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs. The successful launch of the program at a time of rising institutional resource constraints provides valuable suggestions for colleges and universities of similar size to University of Mount Union on how to develop programs in national security and/or intelligence studies that not only remain solidly grounded in the social sciences but are also tailored to a specific career path. Although aspiring to build the ideal program may be a natural inclination, the ability and willingness to settle for what is feasible rather than optimal and to devise creative ways to leverage existing resources and to align as best as possible with institutional direction is a prerequisite for effective and successful new program development.

KEYWORDS:

• engineering
• intelligence
• mathematics
• national security
• science
• STEM
• technology

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank three anonymous reviewers as well as the participants in the “Innovations in Political Science Teaching & Learning” panel at the 2014 Northeastern Political Science Association (NPSA) meeting for their helpful comments on an earlier version of this article.

Notes

Unless pursuing a double major, students enrolled at the University of Mount Union are required to complement their major program of study with a minor program of study.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Michael Grossman

Michael Grossman is Associate Professor of Political Science and International Studies at the University of Mount Union. He has served as Director of International Studies and chair of the department. He received his PhD from the University of South Carolina. His areas of study/research include international relations, U.S. foreign policy, and Post-Soviet politics.

Francis Schortgen

Francis Schortgen is Associate Professor and current chair of the Department of Political Science and International Studies at the University of Mount Union. He received his PhD from Miami University of Ohio. His areas of study/research include comparative politics, Asian area studies, and international political economy.