New Security Studies option opens for students

Ryan Dangerfield

January 22, 2016

schedule 2 min read

Photo courtesy of UVU Marketing.

 

Ryan Vogel, a 2004 alumnus and recognized expert in national security was hired as director of UVU’s new Office of National Security Studies.

The new office will offer a wide range of internship and career opportunities for UVU students and also plans to bring several different speakers to campus to speak about national security issues.

“This semester we plan to have speakers, panels and other events on campus and teach national security classes,” Vogel said. “By next year, we hope to have a minor or certificate program available for students.”

The State of Utah has seen significant interest from federal employers recently, said Vogel, and several career opportunities are available to students in the criminal justice program. For example, the Central Intelligence Agency is visiting campus Jan. 27 to recruit students to work for them.

Matthew Duffin, chair of the Criminal Justice Department said the culture of Utah brings a variety of different national security agencies that are interested in hiring students.

“Their background in foreign languages, their understanding of other cultures, and their lack of criminal offenses puts them in the position to get top-security clearance,” Duffin said.

Vogel is expecting that as the National Security Studies Program succeeds, a variety of different students will decide to attend UVU instead of other schools due to its ability to prepare them and provide opportunities to work in the national security sector.

According to Vogel, Utah has seen growth in national security-related jobs since 2001 and Utahns have consistently occupied national security positions in Washington, D.C., and across the country.

Vogel has 6 years of experience as a policy advisor in the Office of the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon, and worked as an advisor on national security and foreign policy issues for Utah Senator Orrin Hatch. During his time at the Pentagon, Vogel was awarded the Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service in 2014.

“It really is an honor to come back to UVU to lead this new office and teach these classes,” Vogel said. “Having worked on national security issues over the past 10 years in Washington, I am well aware of the great challenges that face our country and world.”