Story by Adelia Henderson, ODNI Office of Strategic Communications
The University of Hawaii Mānoa hosted Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines in a virtual engagement with students in December 2021. During the initial discussion with UH President David Lassner, she highlighted the significance of Hawaii’s diversity in intelligence analysis, answered questions from students, and outlined career opportunities for those interested in joining the Intelligence Community.
“Increasingly, the Asia-Pacific region is at the center of gravity of global affairs,” said Haines. “Geographically, where you’re located, you bring perspectives that we need.”
Haines gave an overview of the IC and ODNI’s role in leading intelligence integration, reflected on her first year in office, and addressed future priorities for ODNI.
DNI Haines is actively prioritizing efforts to increase diversity in the IC, with a focus on recruiting and retaining a workforce representative of the U.S.
UH Mānoa is both an Asian American/Native American Pacific Islander and Native American/Native Hawaiian serving institution, ranking within the top 10 of most ethnically diverse universities in the nation.
After the fireside chat, DNI Haines answered questions from students in a mentoring program between UH Mānoa and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM).
The partnership aims to create unique opportunities for students interested in intelligence careers and federal service, and to develop a local pipeline to strengthen DoD and IC diversity.
Haines told students that Hawaii is especially important in navigating the global threat landscape due to its significant diversity and location in the Asia-Pacific region.
“We need to be able to tap into your understanding of the area, so that we can absorb that as we try to provide the intelligence picture to our customers,” she said.
“Your perspective coming from the Asia-Pacific (region), and from different ethnic and racial backgrounds that you all have, you’re going to bring that to our thinking, and that makes us stronger,” said Haines.
Click here to watch the full recording.