Saint Louis University Students Examine European Security Challenges
Experiential Learning Is Offered Through SLU's Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence
ST. LOUIS — This summer, Saint Louis University students traveled to Madrid, Spain, for a global learning experience focused on contemporary European security issues. The course brought together students from a wide range of academic backgrounds to explore the complex political, environmental, and technological challenges facing the continent today.
The course is offered through the Security and Strategic Intelligence program in Saint Louis University's School for Professional Studies. The program is designated as an Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence (IC-CAE) and is funded by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
The Special Topics in European Security course was held between May 30 and June 27, the program combined classroom instruction with on-the-ground learning in one of Europe’s most dynamic capital cities. Course topics included environmental security, immigration policy, cybersecurity threats, and the evolving role of military power in regional and global affairs.
“This course gave students the chance to analyze real-world security issues in the very environment where many of these dynamics are unfolding,” said Joe Lyons, Ph.D., director of the Security and Strategic Intelligence program who led course. “Madrid offered the perfect context for students to examine how governments, institutions, and societies respond to evolving threats and shifting geopolitical landscapes.”
Participants engaged in site visits to Tarragona, Toledo, and Segovia, and had opportunities to meet with scholars working in international relations and security policy. In addition to academic activities, students experienced everyday life in Madrid—navigating a new culture, building cross-cultural communication skills, and developing a global perspective on security and cooperation.
“Studying abroad in Madrid helped me connect classroom learning with real-world experience,” said graduate student Luis Solano. “Immersing myself in European culture, building connections with fellow students, and gaining deeper insight into immigration, security, and the intelligence community gave me new perspective and clarity. This experience strengthened my commitment to pursuing a career in federal service and gave me the tools and confidence to get there.”
The European Security course reflects SLU’s commitment to high-impact, experiential learning that prepares students for leadership in an interconnected world.
About the MW-IC CAE
The Midwest Consortium - Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence (MW-IC CAE) at Saint Louis University is a cross-institutional community of educators committed to facilitating collaborative relationships and training the next generation of intelligence officers.
MW-IC CAE was formed in 2022 with a grant from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. It is dedicated to preparing students for professional positions in the 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. The Center supports the design and development of intelligence-related STEM curricula and programmatic training opportunities to prepare students for careers in the field of intelligence.
Spanning geographic, socioeconomic and demographic boundaries, this partnership between urban, rural and historically black colleges and institutions — Saint Louis University, Lincoln University and Harris Stowe State University — recruits and educates talented, diverse students interested in careers in the intelligence and national security fields.