By Quintessa Williams
Georgetown University has announced its third annual launch of their Security Summer Institute for HBCU students.
The Security Studies Summer Institute, conducted through the Center for Security Studies (CSS), brings together rising college undergrads from HBCUs interested in security-related studies and professional paths.
The week long program is intends to expand the diversity and provide HBCU students access to graduate education and career opportunities in the security-related field.
This year’s program will take place from June 9th-15th at GU, with site visits across Washington, DC.
CSS established the summer institute in 2022 with the goal of improving diversity in the field of security. The distinct nature of the security field often precludes many from pursuing it as a career.
The institute aims to demystify the security field and reduce barriers to entry that often discourage minorities from considering careers or graduate education in security.
“This is like a once in a lifetime opportunity for a lot of people, […] a lot of very high-ranking individuals that look like us. It was kind of surreal,” says Camryn Agee, a 2023 Alum cohort.
The goal of the Institute is to spark interest in any number of broad-ranging security topics such as national defense, international security, intelligence, foreign policy, terrorism and counterterrorism, and technology.
All travel, room and board, and related expenses for the week-long Institute on Georgetown’s campus will be paid for by CSS.
The program is free to students and includes housing and meals on campus, all travel to and from Washington, DC, and a $600 stipend for the week. While the Institute does not offer academic credit or assign grades, it will appear on a Georgetown transcript as a non-credit course.