Free ICCAE Bootcamp Gives Students a Look Behind Intelligence Curtain

By Rachel Coleman

LIBERAL, Kan. — Few community college students have the opportunity to explore careers in the United States Intelligence service community — but a unique partnership between Seward County Community College, the University of Kansas, and ICCAE — Intelligence Community Centers for Academic Excellence — will do just that with a free, one-day bootcamp this summer.

“This is a great opportunity for students who study Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Criminal Justice, Biotechnology or Health Sciences,” said SCCC Vice President of Academic Affairs Luke Dowell. Students from SCCC and peer institutions in Garden City and Dodge City will take part in in hands-on activities that replicate a typical Intelligence problem or situation.

“It’s similar to other interactive model camps students might have heard about,” Dowell said, listing Girls’ and Boys’ State mock legislative sessions and leadership summits where teams of students solve problems, create campaigns, and stage presentations as mock elected officials or corporate heads.

The one-day event will take place on the campus of Dodge City Community College, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 20. SCCC will provide free transportation for participants, who will also receive a $100 stipend gift card. In addition to the staged activity, students will learn about careers and opportunities for scholarship funding to complete a bachelor’s degree through the University of Kansas.

“ICCAE serves students who want to work in Intelligence, and that includes a lot of different disciplines,” Dowell said. “You can still major in the subject you are interested in and go on to apply that subject within the U.S. Intelligence community.” Examples include the FBI, NSA, military intelligence, CIA, Homeland Security, and more, including food, biological safety and security services.

KU’s ICCAE program is offered through the Edwards Campus in Kansas City and can be accessed completely online, which makes it possible for SCCC graduates to complete a bachelor’s degree in their chosen field, without having to relocate. Currently, ICCAE offers $10,000 in scholarship aid to individual graduates of the three partner community colleges in Southwest Kansas.

“In this program, you still get the degree you would have chosen, with a few extra courses and a certificate that prepares you to work in Intelligence,” Dowell said. “But it doesn’t obligate ICCAE recipients. You’re not signing your life away, just exploring options for how to use your degree.”

Spots at the ICCAE bootcamp are limited. Students who are high school graduates, currently enrolled at SCCC, or soon-to-graduate from SCCC are welcome to apply. For more information, contact Dowell at 620-417-1012, or email [email protected].