Maddy Scholar, the CIB’s Chief Operations Officer, is the recipient of a $50,000 scholarship to study abroad for a year. Called the Rotary Global Grant, the scholarship is part of an annual nationwide competition organized by Rotary International and administered by Rotary’s District 7770. Scholar, from Marietta, Georgia, joined the CIB in the fall semester of 2017. In spring of 2018 was elected by CIB members to serve on the organization’s Executive Team. In addition to her role in the Executive Team, Scholar leads the CIB’s North America Desk and is an analyst studying the operations of the Mexico-based Sinaloa drug cartel.

The Intelligence and National Security Studies major was nominated for the award in April of this year by CIB faculty mentor Dr. Joseph Fitsanakis. She then had to undergo a lengthy selection process in order to be sponsored by a local Rotary Club, during which she was coached by Coastal Carolina University (CCU) faculty and staff who are members of CCU’s Rotary Global Grant Mentoring Committee. The final selection process took place on August 18, where Scholar was one of 12 finalists for three scholarships.

Speaking about Scholar’s success, CCU President Dr. David DeCenzo praised her “work ethic, drive and commitment to learning about the world”. He added that “the students in the Intelligence and National Security Studies Program here at CCU have many ways to get involved and enhance their ability to lead change. We congratulate Ms. Scholar on her achievement!”. Scholar said that the scholarship would give her “a chance to combine my academic knowledge and passion for leading through service toward a career aimed to making the world a safer place”. Her plan is to use the funds in order to pursue a Master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Prevention at the University of Manchester in England.

Dr. Fitsanakis, the CIB’s faculty mentor, said that Scholar epitomized the values of CIB: “As a member of CCU’s preeminent intelligence club, Maddy is very much committed to using her analytical skills to combat crime and violence in our country and beyond. But the CIB also values advanced education and learning, because in their absence complex problems cannot be solved. Maddy’s success encapsulates precisely that combination of practical skills and intellect that the CIB represents. She has a bright future ahead of her and she will continue to make CCU proud from Europe”.