National Military Intelligence Foundation board member Natalie Anderson is a perfect example of the work NMIF does. A 2018 scholarship recipient who studied intelligence studies and applied sciences at Mercyhurst University, Anderson is a mission analyst with a focus on cyber and information operations for The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.
“Natalie is already helping pay it forward and was just appointed as the youngest NMIF board member in our organization’s history,” said Stephen Iwicki, a member of the board, fundraising committee chair and founder and director of Blue Water Advisory Services, LLC.
NMIF is an education-oriented nonprofit with a 44-year history of supporting the intelligence community’s workforce pipeline through scholarships, awards and recognition for current professionals as well as its twice-yearly publication of American Intelligence Journal. Each issue of the journal features articles focusing on intelligence professionals, cyber threat, counterintelligence analysis and insider threat.
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NMIF scholarship and award recipients as well as other intelligence professionals are encouraged to submit papers and articles for publication. NMIF also sponsors professional development activities throughout the year for students, government professionals and industry members.
The work of the NMIF complements government and industry efforts to recruit more qualified workers in intelligence jobs, Iwicki said.
“We do outreach with as many universities as we can find that have intelligence or national security programs,” he said.
Averaging a total of between $25,000 and $37,000 annually, NMIF scholarships are given to applicants with demonstrated interest in the intelligence community. Last year, NMIF awarded eight scholarships, while awarding six in 2019. Leaders would like to increase the number of recipients and are encouraging students to apply. The application process is open to undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate students with demonstrated interest in working within the intelligence community.
Sponsorship opportunities to support NMIF work are currently available.
Iwicki retired from the Army in 2005 after serving a 20-year career as an intelligence officer.
His involvement with NMIF has grown as he attended several NMIF events over the years, including as a speaker.
He also knew previous board chairman retired Lt. Gen. James Williams, a former and longtime director of the Defense Intelligence Agency as well as later board chairwoman retired Lt. Gen. Mary Legere, both of whom asked him to join the board.
Iwicki said he saw the value of what the foundation was doing, and felt a need to help pay it forward for all the support and mentorship he had received throughout his intelligence career.
“I was honored to be appointed to the board in 2016 and also took over as the chair of the fundraising committee,” he said. “Having served a career in the Army, I see the pride in our awardees when they are recognized by their service or agency leadership at our annual banquet. As the father of two college graduates, I know the importance scholarships can play in helping these outstanding students offset their education costs and get a healthy start on their professional careers.”