Donor Support Sends Fairmont State Graduate Students to London to Brief BAE Systems on Maritime Security

​Thanks to donor support, three Fairmont State University students traded the classroom for London this spring – briefing senior executives at BAE Systems on UK critical maritime infrastructure alongside NATO military officers and international graduate students.

From March 6-15, three students, one industry analyst and three faculty members traveled to the United Kingdom to collaborate with the University of Plymouth, culminating in a formal presentation to BAE Systems.

"The students used their skills gained from the Master of Science in Cyber Security & Risk Management program to perform intricate critical infrastructure analysis of key UK maritime assets," said Dr. Greg Cutlip, who led the trip. "It reinforced the relevance of their academic experience at Fairmont State, their ability to perform at a high academic and professional level, and to represent the United States with utmost professionalism and decorum."

BAE Systems took notice. Dr. Damian Terrill, account manager for BAE Systems Digital Intelligence's Space business unit, called the students' presentation "first-rate" and said it "demonstrated the ability to understand complex problems, synthesize large amounts of data, and undertake detailed critical analysis." BAE Systems has since requested a formal report from the FSU-Plymouth team for consideration by the UK government.

"Azimuth Inc, a local defense contractor, served as a corporate sponsor for this trip, allowing students and faculty to represent the University on an international stage, working with NATO partners in analysis of those topics critical to international security," Cutlip said. “We’re thankful for this investment in our students. None of this happens without donor support.”

"Experiential learning that allows students to take what they learn in the classroom and apply it to complex, real-world challenges is a critical part of our graduate students’ professional development," according to Dr. Rebecca Giorcelli, dean of the College of Business and Aviation. "Opportunities to collaborate internationally with professionals and peers expose them to new perspectives, strengthen their confidence, and demonstrate how their education can make an impact on a global stage. We are incredibly proud of how these graduate students represented Fairmont State University in the U.K. and grateful for the donor support that makes transformative opportunities like this possible."

Private support made this experience possible – giving students a seat at the table with NATO officers, international academics and a global defense contractor, and the chance to prove they belonged there.