Charting a Global Future

When Hunter Flanagan (’25) arrived at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott Campus, he wasn’t entirely sure what the future held — only that he craved a challenge.

That decision led him to the Bachelor of Science in Global Security and Intelligence Studies (GSIS), a one-of-a-kind program within Embry-Riddle’s College of Business, Security and Intelligence (CBSI), the first college of its kind in the nation. What began as an uncertain choice quickly became a launchpad for discovery, ultimately changing the way he saw the world.

“I began to feel the challenges the track provided, and I knew I was in the right place,” he recalled. 

Discovering CBSI

Flanagan first learned about Embry-Riddle when university representatives visited his high school. Intrigued by Embry-Riddle's strong reputation and the unique GSIS program, he began researching more. “It had the degree I wanted and a few backups — cybersecurity and engineering,” he said.

At CBSI, he found more than a degree — he found a community built on real-world application, faculty expertise and global awareness. “This program not only granted me knowledge and skills but a whole new way of looking at the world,” he explained. “In high school, I never even thought about visiting other countries, learning other languages or even working with the government.”

That global mindset — and CBSI’s emphasis on blending classroom learning with hands-on experience — became the foundation for his growth as a student and professional.

Faculty with Real-World Experience

At CBSI, textbooks come second to experience. The college’s professors include former intelligence officers, analysts and global affairs experts who bring decades of field knowledge into every classroom.

When asked what makes CBSI truly stand out, Flanagan didn’t hesitate. “You are taught by men and women who have been in the agencies and businesses you want to be employed at for decades and have risen to the top of those organizations,” he said. “They are knowledgeable and willing to help you with anything.”

Professors like Dr. Tyrone Groh and Professor Ed Cochran have been particularly impactful. “Government, International Relations and Foreign Policy are the best classes I have taken here,” he said. “I’m also Professor Cochran’s student partner right now, and I’m learning things I didn’t even know from classes I already took.”Flanagan believes CBSI’s prestige stems directly from its people. “Trick question — they are the experience,” he said. “I am convinced that the prestige of this school has to come from the professors and their experiences.”

Global Perspective Through Study Abroad and Internships

CBSI students don’t just study global security — they live it.

One of the standouts of CBSI is its commitment to hands-on learning and global immersion. Flanagan’s journey has already taken him from Washington, D.C., to Shanghai, to the streets of Morocco, where he studied Arabic and immersed himself in a new culture as part of his minor in Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies.

“The writing style I learned was almost one-to-one with what the State Department uses for cable writing,” he said of his Washington experience. “My networking skills carried over very well.”

In Morocco, he immersed himself in language and culture. “People in the U.S. don’t often get opportunities to travel to other countries, so just being able to learn a language in another country is incredible,” he said.

“I made some great friends over there and learned enough Arabic to keep up with higher-level classes when I returned. It also looks good on resumes to say that I took initiative by participating, and cultural adaptability is always a desirable skill.”

Through these experiences, Flanagan developed a deeper understanding of how cultural context shapes global security.

“Understanding the perspectives of people in other nations is essential,” he said. “There is a perception in the U.S. that China, Russia and Iran are our adversaries. The people of those nations don’t see it this way nearly as strongly as we think. They are just like anyone else here, just living their life, making it by. I think that is a very valuable perspective to have.”

Prepared for Industry

Back on campus, Flanagan’s studies have already paid off in many ways. His GSIS coursework prepared him for internships with the U.S. Foreign Service and the Diplomatic Security Service, where he applied his classroom learning in professional settings.

“Thinking critically and treating problems like a business are two skills that I have gained during my time here,” he said. “We are taught how to think well, and that goes beyond what other courses and colleges do.”

As he prepares to graduate, Flanagan is focused on leveraging his CBSI experience to launch a career in national security. “My goal is to find a job in the private sector to get established, then move into the government when hiring starts back up again,” he said. “My experiences here and abroad make me a very competent and competitive candidate for these programs and positions.”

Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders

As the world faces rapid technological change and global uncertainty, Flanagan believes programs like CBSI are more essential than ever.

“The world has been shaken by so much recently — shootings of prominent figures, uncertainty in job markets, instability and war, technological advancements we can hardly keep up with,” he said. “We need bright, intelligent and critical people to help us solve these problems. CBSI outputs people just like that.”

With every class, internship and international experience, Flanagan has built the confidence and global awareness to step into a world that needs both.