Andrea Thompson named associate dean

January 7, 2020

Andrea Thompson, former Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, has been named to a new position at Dakota State University. Her role as Associate Dean for Governmental and External Relations began on January 1, 2020. It is a part-time (40%), temporary position, to be completed June 21, 2020. 

Thompson, a South Dakota native, brings diverse experience to the position. In addition to her time with the Department of State, she served as national security advisor in numerous government roles, and as director of the McChrystal Group Leadership Institute. She also has more than 25 years of service in the United States military, including deployments on multiple combat tours. She is co-author of the book Achieving Victory in Iraq: Countering an Insurgency. 

“Ms. Thompson’s extensive experience and background will help Dakota State create, maintain, and strengthen relationships with a wide variety of cyber programs,” said President José-Marie Griffiths, Ph.D. “These relationships will be both national and international, with the Five Eye countries and the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence in Estonia,” Griffiths continued. 

Dr. Richard Hanson, dean of The Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences, said “with her immersive experience, Ms. Thompson will be able to make important connections on our behalf, with government contacts, business contacts, potential clients for MadLabs, and potential funding sources such as grants.” Through her efforts, Dakota State will be able to learn of important trends in agency and industry work, he added.