Intelligence Community Scholars Program
Developed under the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Intelligence Community Centers for Academic Excellence (IC CAE) helps schools provide workshops, seminars, internships, and funding support to prepare prospective intelligence professionals for success in a national security career.
The NE IC CAE (North-East Intelligence Community Centers for Academic Excellence) is a consortium of 5 schools, including:
- University of New Hampshire (lead institution of the consortium)
- University of Mount Saint Vincent
- Howard University
- Essex Community College
- University of Massachusetts Lowell
Becoming an IC CAE Scholar
An IC CAE Scholar is a current or graduated student at an IC CAE institution who has successfully completed at least one course in IC CAE study areas.* This individual has also participated in at least two IC CAE-focused activities each school year and is interested in a career within the Intelligence Community.
The IC Scholar certification is recognized by the Intelligence Community. As an IC Scholar, students will have special access to events and information from professionals in the field, as well as recruiters from various intelligence agencies. Students will also have the opportunity to apply for internships with intelligence agencies, as well as financial support for research and student assistantships. The IC scholar program welcomes women, minorities, people with disabilities, and transitioning service members.
*Please note: Due to ODNI regulations, IC Scholars must have U.S. citizenship.
2024 IC CAE Scholar Spotlight
“I was given the opportunity to travel for work and the chance to envision a higher purpose and more. The simulations were amazing and insightful. All agencies were incredible to learn from and visit, and I saw everything as both challenging and rewarding, and I feel it really contributed to my growth.”
—Anthony Arce, Class of 2026
“Each day was educational and engaging, as we were placed into groups to work on interactive, scenario-based simulations. The week was filled with numerous events, including lectures, visits to agencies like the CIA, NSA, and FBI, as well as museums, with my favorite being the International Spy Museum. We participated in interactive discussions, hands-on exercises, and had many opportunities to network and meet new people.”
—Jerolina Frias, Class of 2026
Four students from the IC Scholar program at the University of Mount Saint Vincent were selected to participate in the 2024 Intelligence Community Summer Seminar in Washington, DC. Jerolina Frias, Anthony Arce, Coraima Jimenez-Lopez, and Berlianny Almanzar joined other IC Scholars from across the country to participate in a week-long intensive immersion program hosted and paid for by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Our IC Scholars had the opportunity to meet with legislators, IC professionals, and experience site visits to the headquarters of various intelligence agencies such as the CIA, NSA, and FBI. In addition to site visits, lectures, and briefings, they participated in a week-long simulation of a national security threat, where small groups of students were trained to take raw, ground level intelligence and form it into an intelligence briefing for officials at the highest levels. In this case, our students reported to the Deputy Director of the National Security Agency.
2023 IC CAE Scholar Spotlight
“It was a wonderful opportunity I will never forget.”
—Joseph Santana, Class of 2024
“It was truly one of the best times I’ve had yet at the Mount. This was such an interesting trip and I would definitely like to look into getting an internship in these areas. At first, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do with my future, but this has motivated me—now I have something to look forward to.”
—Nail Rodriguez, Class of 2026
On December 5, 2023, IC Scholars Nail Rodriguez and Joseph Santana were selected to represent UMSV for an intensive daylong set of tours, meetings, and workshops in Washington, DC. Travel expenses fully covered by the ODNI, their day began with meetings and an in-depth tour of the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC) and ended at the National Intelligence University (NIU) with additional meetings and workshops.
NE IC CAE Events 2024-2025
IC Scholar students are given meaningful access to IC recruiters and professionals in the field. Below is a list of the events over the past year.
Events |
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| Date | Time | Event |
| 9/17/2024 | 5 PM EDT | Soviet/Russian State Security PR Projects from Lenin to Putin: Four Case Studies |
| 10/22/2024 | 5 PM EDT | Faculty Only: Dr. John Borek on Teaching ODNI Analytic Standards |
| 10/30/2024 | 5 PM EDT | NE IC CAE Annual Speaker Series: Kevin Riehle |
| 11/6/2024 | 5 PM EST | NE IC CAE Annual Speaker Series: Joe Wippl |
| 3/19/2025 | All Day | Save the Date: National Security Speakers Series (N3S) |
Contact
718.405.3251
Mia Peters | UMSV IC Scholar Program Coordinator
mia.peters@umsv.edu
Omar Nagi | UMSV IC Scholar Program Director
omar.nagi@umsv.edu