Make Room

A diverse and inclusive national security workforce is both a strategic and moral imperative. Greater diversity among national security professionals will lead to better national security policymaking, which is at the very core of CNAS’ mission and the foundation of the Make Room initiative.

Make Room is an inclusive, multifaceted community where the inherent value of all people is recognized and celebrated and where those underrepresented in the national security field are empowered and equipped to pursue and develop their professional goals and leadership skills. Founded in 2020 and run by junior members of the CNAS staff, Make Room is committed to building a diverse network of national security professionals across the national security space—on the Hill, in the Situation Room, at think tanks, and outside the Beltway. We seek to achieve this goal through networking and connectivity opportunities, study sessions with seasoned national security leaders, and an online mentoring network.

Make Room is always seeking college students, recent graduates, and early career professionals interested in joining a group of passionate peers and in strengthening their skillset in the national security field. There are no cost nor prerequisites to join, and programming is currently being held virtually until further notice.

If you are interested in learning more about, or participating in, Make Room, contact makeroom@cnas.org.

How to Get Involved

Study Series

The Study Series strives to create an adaptive curriculum conducive to building diversity in the national security community. These interactive study sessions will focus on functional skills development and substantive learning, and feature speakers from various industries and sectors, political affiliations, and levels of seniority. Functionally, the series covers topics including but not limited to polling, staffer skills, op-ed writing, book writing, and wargaming. Substantively, the series covers topics including but not limited to civil-military relations, the inter-agency process, presidential transitions, role of governors in foreign policy, and regional affairs.

Mentoring Network

The mentoring network aims to level the playing field for underrepresented populations and to give them the tools to open doors and succeed in the national security field. The mentoring network connects peers in the Make Room community to specific offerings—from informational interviews to op-ed writing or editing to job openings—provided by volunteer mentors. The network will go live in Spring 2021. To join the waiting list to become a mentor or mentee when it launches, email makeroom@cnas.org.

And More

Make Room is a key element of CNAS’ commitment to elevating the next generation of U.S. national security leaders. Other CNAS efforts include The Pitch competition, the Shawn Brimley Next Generation Leaders Fellowship, the 1LT Andrew J. Bacevich, Jr. Award, the Robert M. Gates and Leon E. Panetta Fellowships, and the Joseph S. Nye, Jr. Internship Program. Research Programs across the Center collaborate on advocating for great diversity and younger voices in their research and the national security field overall.

Join the Make Room Mission: support our goal of creating a more diverse and inclusive national security workforce.

Donate Today

Subscribe

Sign up to receive the Make Room email newsletter every month.





Related Research

Congress & National Security

More women in government roles leads to greater national security

The United States is facing an unprecedented economic and health crisis due to the coronavirus. Decisions made now will have repercussions that last for years. Recovery from t...

Military, Veterans, & Society

Want to Recruit Women? Address Sexual Assault and Harassment

Civilian leadership and Congress must demand more than regular accounting and comprehensive training....

Military, Veterans, & Society

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the U.S. Military

Today’s military has become more equitable since the start of the all-volunteer force in 1972. Much of that progress has been due to Ginsburg....

Military, Veterans, & Society

Developing Leaders to Promote Gender Integration

Diversity of lived experiences results in stronger leaders....

Defense

The Pitch: A Competition of New Ideas

On June 17, 2020, the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) hosted its premier event to elevate emerging and diverse voices in national security. Sixteen applicants made t...

Transatlantic Security

Youth Voices in Foreign Policy, with Indiana High School Students

On a special episode of Brussels Sprouts, four high school honors students from Indianapolis join Andrea Kendall-Taylor and Jim Townsend to discuss the future of U.S. national...

Military, Veterans, & Society

The deafening silence of veteran service organizations on Black Lives Matter

There is a myth in the U.S. military that once you put on the uniform, “We all bleed green.” That is to say, no matter where you’re from or what your background is, as long as...

Defense

Trump, Racism, and the Military

Throughout his administration, President Trump has misused the US military to advance his racist and discriminatory political priorities. He has used the Department of Defense...

Meet the Team