In September 2011, USF was awarded a grant from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to establish a Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) to help train students to sharpen their analytical skills. Part of the purpose of this grant is to prepare students to compete successfully for demanding positions in the U.S. national security and intelligence agencies.
The USF CAE program is founded on the conviction that the skills required of a good intelligence analyst – collecting and aggregating information; assessing that information; and communicating conclusions both orally and in writing – will benefit anyone pursuing a professional career at the executive or managerial level. As a result, USF’s Center of Academic Excellence also reaches to local companies and other non-governmental institutions.
The heart of USF’s program is a series of workshops (one day; four hours) and summer workshops (four days; roughly 32 hours). All workshops promote the key skills of information gathering; analysis; and presentation. Any student enrolled at USF is welcome to participate in program-related events and does not need to be enrolled in the certificate program.
Students who wish to participate in the USF CAE program just need to indicate their interest by notifying the program director or one of the program assistants. Interested students may also pursue an Undergraduate Certificate or Graduate Certificate in National and Competitive Intelligence. Enrollment in the certificate program is not a prerequisite for participating in the workshops/seminars.
High School Program
The program’s High School outreach component has partnered with Hillsborough and Pasco County International Baccalaureate Schools to offer a parallel critical thinking / analytical skill program that mirrors the University-level program.
Internships
The USF CAE program encourages and supports students to apply for internships with any federal agency where a security clearance is required. Only American citizens are eligible to obtain a security clearance, but the USF CAE program itself is open to any student.
Affiliated Institutions
USF’s CAE program in National and Competitive Intelligence has partnered with the military commands located at MacDill Air Force Base – U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM). USF also has developed a working relationship with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and students interested in a career in law enforcement are encouraged to seek internships there.
Director
Walter Andrusyszyn
Adjunct Professor
Phone: (813) 974-4155
Office: BSN 3205
Email: waltera@usf.edu
Andrusyszyn Bio
Graduate Assistant
Alex Neill
alexhneill90@gmail.com
Student Assistant
Lynn Francois
lynn6@mail.usf.edu
