• About
  • Advertising
  • History
  • Staff
  • Contact

The Andersonian

The Anderson University Student Newspaper

Anderson University’s Student Newspaper

  • Campus News
  • Audio
  • Features
  • Arts & Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Video
  • COVID-19
You are here: Home / Features / National security major benefits from Pistole’s expertise


National security major benefits from Pistole’s expertise

September 27, 2017 by Maria Neathery

AU’s national security studies program is not only new, but one of few integrative undergraduate security studies majors in the country. The difference for students studying the major at AU is the incorporation of Christian ethics as the base in preparing for a career of public service. The students also have the privilege to learn from President John Pistole, former head of TSA and FBI deputy director.

The curriculum is intentionally interdisciplinary, with courses in political science, criminal justice, history, sociology and psychology, meant to prepare students for public service or security-related positions in the private sector.

Staples of the major are American national government, political violence and terrorism, homeland security and American foreign policy.

The electives of the major tie directly into the context and understanding of this specific field, including nature of crime and social deviance, drugs and American society, and history of Russia and the Soviet Union.

Phoebe Mangas, a senior national security major, describes the program as primarily focused on preparing individuals for a career in any Federal Agency or to participate in civil service.

Mangas came to Anderson as a global studies major before transitioning to criminal justice her sophomore year. When the national security major was introduced at the beginning of her junior year, she switched yet again.

“I had been preparing myself for the major without knowing it existed,” says Mangas.

Students like Mangas have the opportunity to meet in class or individually to discuss careers in national security and cybersecurity, especially in the FBI, with Pistole. He is involved with the major on an almost-weekly basis.

“I have been impressed with the caliber, interest and aptitude of students in these areas,” says President Pistole.

With three decades of national security experience, Pistole believes that his experiences will be beneficial to students at AU who pursue national security studies.

“I believe this will be helpful in two respects, including subject matter expertise about how the U.S. intelligence community and federal law enforcement work to deal with national security issues,” says Pistole. “Second, in terms of being able to invite nationally-known leaders to campus to engage with students, faculty and staff on National Security issues.”

Students receive advice, guidance and encouragement from Pistole. His support carries over into the people he helps brings to campus: Bob Mueller, former director of the FBI; Lloyd Rowland, former deputy director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency; David Shedd, a U.S. intelligence office and former Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency; and, most recently, Eric Holder, the former attorney general of the United States.

“I believe that this type of national engagement will help make reality our vision of making Anderson University distinctive and compelling,” says Pistole.

The political science department houses many professors qualified to help further the vision for AU.

Dr. Michael Frank, professor of political science; Dr. Jaye Rogers, professor of history; and a handful of adjuncts brought on by the department, all bring different specialties to the table. One specializes in American government and pre-law, one is a specialist in foreign policy and a Senior Fellow of the Sagamore Institute and another previously worked under Pistole.

“Our advisers are the perfect balance of encouraging and instructive, and it’s hard to imagine finding anyone better,” says Mangas.

Studying this field at a Christian university is seen as beneficial to students because being a Christian in an area that isn’t inherently faith-based brings light to questions about compromise.

“We have very frank and open conversations about possible realities, we talk about boundaries, which forces us sometimes to play very different roles,” says Mangas. “One of the best things I’ve learned is anything besides my opinion, and I love that I’m pushed to argue against myself in this field.”

Pistole says, “It is my hope that by equipping students with a strong liberal arts background in these areas, done in the context of a Christian university, that we will provide a future generation of servant leaders who also live out our other four core values of integrity, excellence, generosity and responsibility.”

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Features

Watch

Jacey Crawford discusses the breaking news that classes will be virtual for the remainder of the semester, beginning Nov. 16.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Jacey Crawford discusses the recent esports win and talks with Dr. Sarah Neal, Lead of AU’s COVID-19 Task Force.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

More Video

Listen

Raven Watch 2020-12-07

On this episode of the Raven Watch Podcast, Jordan is joined by former Big Ten Player of the Year and Indiana Pacer Clark Kellogg as they discuss displaying your faith in sports, Clark’s career as a player and broadcaster and his game of “H.O.R.S.E.” with President Obama.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Raven Watch 2020-12-03

On this episode, Jordan Yaney sits down with senior soccer player Drew Sonnefeldt to discuss his soccer career, trips to Europe, hobbies, and dreams of playing professional soccer

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Raven Watch 2020-09-24

In the third Raven Watch Podcast, Jordan Yaney talks with Hannah Hawkins, a senior basketball player, about starting her freshman year 0-25, becoming more of a leader on the team and facing their one-on-one battle on the court freshman year. Thanks to our sponsor, the Folgate Agency. Please contact Steve Folgate for Allstate insurance and […]

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Raven Watch 2020-09-18

In the second-ever Raven Watch Podcast, Jordan Yaney talks with Kennedy Parker, a senior baseball player, about finding out last season was canceled while the team was in Florida, why he decided to come back for a fifth year and play and what he expects out of this year’s team.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

More Audio

Follow

andersonianAndersonian@andersonian·
16 Jan

Check out these pictures from the Men's Basketball game on Thursday: https://andersonian.smugmug.com/AUMBB-01142021/

Reply on Twitter 1350570022108860423Retweet on Twitter 13505700221088604232Like on Twitter 13505700221088604236Twitter 1350570022108860423
andersonianAndersonian@andersonian·
8 Dec

After several weeks of searching for a new esports head coach, AU has filled the position. Learn more about Head Coach Matthew Burnstedt: https://andersonian.com/2020/12/08/au-hires-new-esports-head-coach/

Reply on Twitter 1336445599244292096Retweet on Twitter 13364455992442920961Like on Twitter 13364455992442920963Twitter 1336445599244292096
Retweet on TwitterAndersonian Retweeted
AURavenWatchRaven Watch@AURavenWatch·
7 Dec

Check out the new Raven Watch Podcast with former @Pacers forward Clark Kellogg (@ClarkKelloggCBS). Tune in as Clark and @jordanyaney discuss faith in sports, his career as a player and broadcaster, and his game of H.O.R.S.E against President Obama.

LINK https://andersonian.com/2020/12/07/raven-watch-2020-12-07/

Reply on Twitter 1336095317591265291Retweet on Twitter 13360953175912652918Like on Twitter 133609531759126529114Twitter 1336095317591265291
Load More...

The Andersonian, the student newspaper of Anderson University, Anderson, Ind., publishes a print edition and maintains this website. As a matter of institutional policy, the University administration does not review or edit Andersonian content prior to publication. The student editors are responsible for both print and online content. While the administration recognizes the role of the student press on a college campus and in journalism education, the views expressed in the Andersonian are not necessarily those of Anderson University.

© Andersonian 2017, All rights reserved · Site by Mere
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.