The University of South Florida (USF) at present introduced the creation of the Global and
National Security Institute, an initiative designed to additional place the state of
Florida at the forefront of addressing essential points going through the nation in sectors
resembling protection, financial and political safety, well being and human safety and infrastructure
and environmental safety.
The institute will probably be led by government director Kenneth F. “Frank” McKenzie, retired
Marine Corps basic and former chief of U.S. Central Command, who brings intensive
management expertise and a decades-long army and worldwide safety background
to the place.
Through the institute, USF is uniquely positioned to help international and nationwide safety
partnerships, given its educational and analysis experience in associated fields, mixed
with proximity to Special Operations Command and Central Command situated at MacDill
Air Force Base in Tampa Bay, and different army websites throughout the state.
“The Global and National Security Institute aligns with the University of South Florida’s
core mission of being in direct service of its communities and addressing regional
and nationwide challenges,” USF President Rhea Law stated. “I am happy to announce the
appointment of Gen. McKenzie as its government director. Through the work of the institute,
he’ll play a essential function in creating partnerships to construct a affluent and sustainable
future for our regional communities, the state of Florida and past whereas constructing
upon the college’s long-standing dedication to veterans.”
McKenzie will present strategic imaginative and prescient and operational oversight for the institute
whereas working alongside trade and college and leaders from the schools of Engineering,
Arts and Sciences, Behavioral and Community Sciences, the Muma College of Business
and Marine Science to leverage experience in utilized engineering, know-how, cybersecurity,
coverage improvement, and human and social dynamics to assist form the institute.
The institute’s objectives embody:
- Advising state, county and municipal authorities, together with company entities, on
coverage issues, greatest practices and danger assessments associated to international and nationwide
safety to assist shield important infrastructure essential to Florida’s economic system, together with
communications, power, monetary, water and transportation (ports, roads and rail). - Discovering progressive options by increasing college analysis clusters in international
and nationwide safety. - Providing the academic instruments to develop the subsequent technology of safety professionals
by constructing upon current cybersecurity, intelligence research, criminology, and analytics
applications, increasing specialised certificates applications, skilled improvement and
upskilling. - Supporting elevated federal and company grant awards in international and nationwide safety.
- Publishing actionable coverage briefs related to threats to international and nationwide
safety with relevance to the state of Florida.
Advancing the strategic progress of USF’s Institute for Applied Engineering to evolve
into Florida’s first University Affiliated Research Center (UARC). There are 14 UARCs
in the United States, with the closest situated in Georgia. - Establishing a nationally and internationally outstanding board of advisors and affiliated
community to assist information, talk and consider the Institute’s work.
In the new function, McKenzie will even take over the management of Cyber Florida from
Mike McConnell, who served as its government director since 2020. McConnell, who additionally
beforehand served as chair of Cyber Florida’s Board of Advisors, has determined to retireat
the finish of June.
McKenzie will proceed to develop Cyber Florida’s profitable work with all 12 public
universities in Florida and non-public trade, authorities and the army to construct
partnerships and develop applications that deal with the most urgent cybersecurity wants.
“I look ahead to establishing the Global and National Security Institute at the
University of South Florida, and working with our college consultants, school management
and trade companions. Using an interdisciplinary strategy, our focus will probably be to integratenational
safety and protection coverage with human and social habits points, engineering and
know-how,” McKenzie stated. “At the similar time, we now have important alternatives to construct
upon the optimistic momentum established by Vice Admiral McConnell for Cyber Florida
to strengthen Florida’s cybersecurity trade.”
McKenzie’s distinguished profession spans over 40 years and has targeted on worldwide
and international safety points. He retired from lively obligation in April 2022 after commanding
U.S. Central Command since March 2019.
He is a 1979 graduate of The Citadel and was commissioned into the Marine Corps and
educated as an infantry officer upon incomes his diploma. He has a grasp’s diploma in
educating with a focus in historical past. Other high-level assignments embody obligation
as the director of the Joint Staff and as the director of Strategy, Plans, and Policy
for the Joint Staff. Last month he joined the International Advisory Board of the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations.
A whole bio is obtainable here.