NPS students, faculty, and industry collaborators participated in the Secure Software Supply Chain Hackathon and Dell Technologies Tour, organized by the NPS Foundation with support from Dell Technologies, NVIDIA, and Sterling.
With NPS faculty framing the national-security problem, students applied their operational experience and technical expertise to explore software supply-chain vulnerabilities. Hands-on access to emerging technologies and industry expertise gave participants opportunities to test assumptions and develop potential approaches to a challenge that affects national security and critical infrastructure. Learn more.
NPS is supporting the U.S. Department of War to develop a more data-literate defense financial management workforce through its Data Analytics for Defense Management Certificate.
An inaugural on-campus bootcamp gave 33 financial management professionals hands-on experience with analytical tools and opportunities to work directly with NPS faculty. The program connects technical skills with real-world challenges to support better decisions about resources, readiness, and mission outcomes. Learn more.
NPS held its annual Warfare Innovation Continuum Workshop, with 228 students and representatives from industry, academia, the fleet, systems commands, and international partners exploring current and future warfighting challenges.
Themed “Naval Forge 20XX,” the workshop challenged participants to examine how advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies could enable future warfighting concepts. Their ideas will inform a year of NPS research, coursework, and experimentation while preparing students to address complex problems across the fleet and force. Learn more.
AI in Military Education: A Few Perspectives and Experiences
By Dr. Mie Augier, Professor, Organizational Sciences Academic Group, and Dr. Jamie Porchia, Assistant Professor, Acquisition, Finance and Manpower
A Warrior’s View of Why War Fails
Featuring retired Adm. William H. McRaven, MA in National Security Affairs ’93
Listeners’ Questions About the IRGC, Regional Players, and Opportunities for Peace
Featuring Afshon Ostovar, Associate Professor and Associate Chair for Research, Institute for Regional and International Security
China’s Green Halo Hides Its Coal Dependence
By Brenda Shaffer, Faculty Associate – Research, Energy Academic Group
PERSPECTIVE: What Threat Prevention Looks Like in Practice
By Braden Schrag, Adjunct Instructor, Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Why Employee Wellness is Mission Critical for Public Safety Agencies
By Terry Hastings, Certificate in Executive Leadership ’10, Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Cmdr. Brian Richards, Master of Systems Analysis ’23, relinquished command of Navy Talent Acquisition Group Great Lakes during an Oct. 15 ceremony in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Richards received the Meritorious Service Medal for his service as executive officer and commanding officer from August 2023 to October 2026. His previous assignments include recruiting operations in Pittsburgh and serving as officer in charge of Naval Support Activity Gaeta, Italy. Learn more.
Capt. Mathias Roth, PhD in Physical Oceanography ’16, was selected as inaugural dean of the U.S. Naval Academy’s new school for computing, cybersecurity, super intelligence, robotics, and autonomous systems. Roth will lead the transition team and serve as the academy’s senior Information Warfare community leader. His command experience includes leading Information Warfare Training Group Gulfport and Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center in Monterey. Learn more.
Lt. Cmdr. Tia Myers, Executive MBA ’22, assumed command of the military crew aboard USS City of Bismarck (EPF 9) during a ceremony at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan. Myers previously served aboard USS Arleigh Burke, USS Pearl Harbor, and USS Harpers Ferry, and as an amphibious warfare tactics instructor in San Diego. She now leads the rotating military crew working alongside civil service mariners to support logistics, rapid transport, and disaster relief missions.
Wayne Dumais, MA in Security Studies (Homeland Security and Defense) ’18, became director of the Mission Engineering and Standards Division at the Department of Homeland Security. He will oversee mission engineering, digital engineering transformation, and standards development to support DHS missions and identify capability gaps. Dumais previously served as deputy director of DHS’s Office of Test and Evaluation and brings experience in military operations, defense acquisition, engineering, and program management. Learn more.
Max Bluestein, Center for Homeland Defense and Security Executive Leaders Program ’22, became director for counterterrorism in the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans. Bluestein previously served as director for strategic communications at the White House National Security Council and as a senior advisor at INTERPOL Washington. His experience also includes counterterrorism and threat prevention policy roles at DHS and strategy and policy work at the Office of Naval Intelligence. Learn more.
Retired Capt. Matt McGraw, MS in Defense Analysis (Irregular Warfare) ’16, was named chief executive officer of XTEND U.S. on Oct. 26. McGraw served more than 25 years in the Navy as a SEAL, with assignments including deputy commanding officer of the 75th Ranger Regiment and squadron commander at Naval Special Warfare Command. He also worked at the Defense Innovation Unit and will lead XTEND’s U.S. sales, production, and delivery operations. Learn more.
Mustafa Ozgen, MS in Computer Science ’96, became chief executive officer of Roku following FOX’s acquisition of the company on Nov. 6. Ozgen joined Roku in 2019 and most recently served as president of devices, products, and technology, overseeing its hardware and technology portfolio. His previous leadership roles include serving as CEO of SmartKem and QD Vision, following an earlier career as an officer in the Turkish Navy. Learn more.
Retired Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, MA in International Security and Civil-Military Relations ’00, joined Captiva Verde’s advisory board in an appointment announced Aug. 10. The former chief of the National Guard Bureau and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff brings 38 years of Army and Army National Guard service. He will advise the company as it develops atmospheric water stations for deployment around the world. Learn more.
Retired Capt. Dan “Stuckey” Covelli, Executive MBA ’10, joined Darley’s Defense Advisory Board, bringing more than 30 years of experience in military aviation, acquisition, program management, and industry. A former carrier aviator and test pilot, Covelli served 29 years in the Navy before holding leadership positions at Lockheed Martin and KBR and founding Covelli & Associates. He will provide strategic guidance supporting Darley’s work with the military community. Learn more.
