Seton Hall University’s National Security Graduate Fellowship equips students with practical experience in tackling contemporary national security challenges, preparing them for immediate contributions in the field.
As the United States faces increasingly complex threats from China, foreign influence, artificial intelligence, and various geopolitical flashpoints, Seton Hall University is stepping up to prepare the next generation of national security experts. The National Security Graduate Fellowship at Seton Hall’s School of Diplomacy and International Relations offers graduate students hands-on experience in addressing real-world national security challenges before they enter the workforce.
The program boasts an impressive 80% placement rate, with graduates securing positions at prestigious agencies such as the National Security Agency (NSA), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Secret Service, military branches, and defense contracting firms. Mohamad Mirghahari, the program’s founder, emphasizes the importance of this initiative, stating, “My goal for my students is they’re ready day one if they get hired.”
Mirghahari, a Seton Hall alumnus and national security expert, has an extensive background in the Department of Defense, where he spent 14 years in leadership roles supporting counterterrorism efforts worldwide. He also served as a presidential appointee and senior advisor to the Transportation Security Administration’s chief of staff, and he continues to advise the Defense Department.
According to Mirghahari, the fellowship program is unique in the nation because it allows graduate students to engage directly with government agencies, addressing pressing foreign policy and national security issues. “Most government agencies have a lot of things going on and they don’t have enough resources,” he explained. “Our graduate students support those agencies by conducting research that meets real-world requirements in the national security field.”
The program also stands out due to its collaboration with practitioners from various sectors of the U.S. government who serve as guest lecturers and professors. This exposure provides students with invaluable insights into the field, especially considering the evolving landscape of threats the nation faces today compared to previous decades.
Mirghahari noted, “Part of what makes our program so unique is that we address the real-world issues of today. History is very important, and you learn from history, but we also want to be the classes that can support the government in real time.” The fellowship has tackled projects on topics ranging from China and India to Pakistan and the South China Sea.
One notable project involved research for the State Department on how the U.S. could re-engage with the Taliban if the group were to regain power in Afghanistan. Mirghahari highlighted that the research remains relevant, with papers being recirculated within the government over the years. “That’s part of what we do, provide that real-time research,” he said.
The program also addresses emerging national security challenges, particularly those related to artificial intelligence, data analysis, and foreign influence. Mirghahari pointed out that younger students often bring valuable technological expertise and perspectives that government agencies may not have previously considered.
“Artificial intelligence, data, and all these different things impacting our national security play a major role in our work,” he explained. “We examine foreign influence, including how data is mined and distributed, and we use tools such as artificial intelligence, graph theory, and other analytical methods to analyze large datasets.” This approach equips students with an understanding of how these technologies can be leveraged across government operations.
Mirghahari emphasized the importance of teaching students to sift through vast amounts of information to extract relevant data for their research. “That process is extremely time-consuming, so we’re helping government clients bring the information together in one place and examine it more thoroughly,” he said.
He believes that the skills students acquire during their time in the Seton Hall program would typically require five years of on-the-job experience in a national security position to develop. Mirghahari noted that, now more than ever, the ability to hit the ground running is critical. “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 10 years,’” he said.
This innovative approach to education in national security not only prepares students for immediate employment but also equips them with the skills necessary to navigate the complexities of modern threats. As the landscape of national security continues to evolve, programs like Seton Hall’s National Security Graduate Fellowship are essential in cultivating the expertise needed to address these challenges effectively.
According to Fox News, the fellowship exemplifies a proactive approach to national security education, ensuring that graduates are not just knowledgeable but also ready to make impactful contributions from day one.