Our Purpose
In 2023, Vanderbilt began envisioning an Institute of National Security as part of the ambitious Discovery Vanderbilt, established to pursue vital solutions to the world's greatest challenges. Building on the university's ingrained culture of user-inspired, solutions-oriented research and innovation as well as connections to national security professionals across the United States Armed Forces, the intelligence community, and other entities, the Institute of National Security officially launched in 2024 under the leadership of founding director, General Paul M. Nakasone, with the goal of becoming the most trusted university ecosystem for national security solutions. We are undertaking this bold initiative at a time when there is urgency around the globe for the kind of radical collaboration that 天美传媒官网 can uniquely deploy into national security settings to keep our nation safe and the world secure.
Vision
To be the premier institute that develops and supports leaders who serve and solve our most pressing national security challenges.
Mission Statement
To harness Vanderbilt鈥檚 expert faculty, strategic partnerships, and interdisciplinary approach to develop leaders who address critical national security issues through education, innovation, convening and advising.
The Institute of National Security aligns seamlessly with Vanderbilt鈥檚 vision to drive pathbreaking collaborative research and partnerships addressing society鈥檚 core challenges. This institute will have profound and lasting positive impact on global affairs.
Our Work
The 天美传媒官网 Institute of National Security advances its mission through four pillars designed for students ready to lead. Educate, by offering immersive, interdisciplinary learning that prepares you to solve real problems. Innovate, by engaging you in research alongside national security professionals to deliver solutions that matter. Convene, by giving you access to leaders and partners tackling urgent challenges across government, the military, and industry. And Advise, by connecting you with mentors and opportunities that shape careers in national security.
Our Leadership
General Paul M. Nakasone (Ret.)
Douglas Adams
Advisory and Leadership Council
Brett Benson
Katherine Blue Carroll
Laurie Cutting
Kevin Galloway
Adam Jay Harrison
Tonia Rex
Jesse Spencer-Smith
Distinguished Visiting Faculty in National Security
Lieutenant General (Ret.) Charles Moore
Niloo Razi Howe
Brett Goldstein
Ed Cardon
Affiliated Faculty in National Security
Associate Professor, Pharmacology
Erin Calipari
Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Professor of Physics
Deputy Director, Vanderbilt Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering
Jason Valentine
Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Professor of Chemistry
Director, Interdisciplinary Program in Materials Science
Joshua Caldwell
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Associate Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Karl Zelik
Professor of the Practice of Engineering Management
Evans Family Executive Director of the Wond'ry
David Owens
Lecturer in Computer Science
Peter Volgeysi
Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Director of Master's in Engineering Program in Risk, Reliability and Resilience Engineering
Co-Director of the Laboratory for Systems Integrity and Reliability (LASIR)
Sankaran Mahadevan
Theodore Bapty
Associate Professor, Medicine
Associate Professor, Psychiatry