Utah Valley University is implementing a new Office of National Security Studies program.

“Starting an Office of National Security Studies at UVU puts us and Utah at the forefront of critical issues facing our nation today,” said Matthew Duffin, chairman of the Criminal Justice Department, in a release. “As the first of its kind in our state, it prepares students to confront the issues that federal and state jobs demand. Primed to get these jobs because of language and other skills, these UVU graduates will be in high demand. I expect this program to double and triple in just a few years. We are lucky to have such a distinguished expert as Ryan Vogel to lead this center.”

Vogel has a distinguished defense career in Washington. He was a senior policy advisor in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He started his career at the Pentagon through the presidential management fellowship program. He worked on issues related to counterterrorism, the law of armed conflict, international criminal law, international courts, human rights, legislation and detention.