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Center for Intelligence and Security Studies

WHAT WE DO

Our mission is to educate the future national security, cybersecurity and intelligence workforce. A majority of CISS students go directly into the intelligence community or U.S. government after graduation, while others secure employment with think tanks, NGOs, and leading private sector entities.

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Welcome to the Center for Intelligence and Security Studies (CISS)

The Center for Intelligence and Security Studies (CISS) at the University of Mississippi is nationally recognized for preparing students to excel in careers in national security. Through cutting-edge programs, innovative coursework, and unparalleled experiential opportunities, we equip the next generation of leaders to meet the challenges of global security

National Recognition as a Center for Academic Excellence

In 2012, the Director of National Intelligence designated CISS as an Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence (IC CAE). This prestigious national recognition places CISS among an elite group of universities. With this honor, CISS received federal funding to:

  • Develop specialized courses,
  • Fund student study abroad opportunities, and
  • Host conferences and workshops.

As a legacy IC CAE institution, students in our minors are recognized as IC CAE scholars when applying for Intelligence Community opportunities, giving them a competitive edge in the national security workforce.

International Certification and Leadership

The Intelligence and Security Studies (ISS) minor earned international certification in 2014, with renewal in 2023.

  • This certification, awarded by the International Association for Intelligence Education (IAFIE), is a significant milestone.
  • Meeting 32 rigorous standards—including intelligence history, analysis, counterintelligence, and security—the ISS minor became the first program of its kind to achieve this distinction. 

This recognition underscores our commitment to excellence and ensures that our students graduate with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the ever-evolving field of intelligence.

Opportunities for Students

CISS provides a rich array of opportunities for students, including:

  • Participation in international intelligence and national security conferences,
  • Visits to intelligence and security agencies in Washington, D.C.,
  • Regular campus events featuring senior government officials and Intelligence
  • Community recruiters, and
  • Immersive experiences like Days of Intrigue, a weekend-long simulated national security crisis where students apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios.

These unique experiences complement a rigorous curriculum that emphasizes professional skills like writing for policymakers, briefing, and collaborative teamwork.

Give to the CISS

Help support our mission by making a gift to the CISS.

Meet CISS Faculty & Staff

Shaio Zerba

Shaio Zerba

  • Instructional Associate Professor of Intelligence Studies & Director of the Center for Intelligence and Security Studies
Wesley Yates

Wesley Yates

  • Instructional Assistant Professor and Associate Director of the Center for Intelligence and Security Studies
Susan Kelly

Susan Kelly

  • Program Manager
Leslie Guelcher

Leslie Guelcher

  • Instructional Associate Professor of Center for Intel and Security Studies
Jamie Barnett

Jamie Barnett

  • Adjunct Professor of Center for Intel and Security Studies
Craig Morris

Craig Morris

  • Instructional Associate Professor and Graduate Program Coordinator of the Center for Intelligence and Security Studies
Travis Endicott

Travis Endicott

  • Adjunct Professor of Center for Intel and Security Studies
David Kritz

David Kritz

  • Adjunct Professor of Center for Intelligence and Security Studies
Sam Scurry

Sam Scurry

  • Instructional Assistant Professor of the Center for Intelligence and Security Studies

Information for Students

An Ole Miss student looks at a brochure during a CISS event.

Prospective Students

Find more on how to apply to CISS, academic opportunities for students, and FAQs about the program.

An Ole Miss student speaks with peers during a CISS event.

Current Students

Get connected to internship and student organization opportunities, learn more about careers, and find assistance with charting a future in the intelligence community.

Don't Wait to Start Your Intelligence and Security Education

The Minor in Intelligence and Security Studies is designed to get you the knowledge you need to boost your career in the intelligence community. 

UG

Intelligence and Security Studies, Minor

The Intelligence and Security Studies (ISS) minor is an 18-credit minor designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in the Intelligence Community (IC) and related careers.

  • Oxford

UG

Global Security Studies, Minor

A minor in global security studies (GSS) familiarizes students with the skills and background necessary for entry-level employment in the national security sector.

  • Oxford
  • Online

  • Center for Open Source Analysis

    Affiliated with CISS, the University of Mississippi Center for Open Source Analysis (COSA) is a student-run analysis group that works to publish monthly open source intelligence pieces on relevant national security issues.

    COSA site