Intel students benefit from partnership with Security Executive Council

In releasing its 2022 impact statement, showcasing the breadth of its positive influence on the security industry, the Security Executive Council (SEC) specifically highlighted the role of its partnership with Mercyhurst University’s Ridge College of Intelligence Studies & Applied Sciences.

The SEC is the leading research and advisory firm focused on corporate security risk mitigation strategies, transforming security programs into more capable and valued centers of excellence.

As part of SEC’s internship program started with Mercyhurst Intelligence Studies, 122 Mercyhurst interns worked on 47 projects for SEC clients, covering data analysis and intelligence studies as well as capstone research and other projects. In September 2022, Mercyhurst Intel major Joshua Drabik became one of only three individuals to receive SEC scholarships intended to support students of excellence at partner institutions.

“The SEC has been an invaluable partner to Mercyhurst University,” said Lindy Smart, executive director of Intelligence Studies. “They provide guidance, project work for students, and funding; time and again, the SEC has proven to be a consistent and generous resource to our students and to the corporate security community overall. We are thankful to benefit from their expertise and passion—a truly powerful organization.”

The SEC has provided internships directly to Mercyhurst students while, at the same time, coordinated internship opportunities with private-sector corporations and companies, primarily in the security and risk and global security operations areas.

“On top of that, the SEC has also directly provided paid projects for the Ridge College’s Center for Intelligence Research, Analysis, and Training (CIRAT) and coordinated projects with their member organizations,” said Brian Fuller, director of operation for the Ridge College. “Many of these opportunities have resulted in employment for our students immediately upon graduating.

PHOTO: Intelligence Studies major Joshua Drabik, second from right, receives a scholarship for excellence from the Security Executive Council. With him are, from left, Ridge College Dean John Olszowka, Intel Executive Director Lindy Smart, and Ridge College Operations Director Brian Fuller.