CV

Curriculum Vitae 2025
CATHRYN QUANTIC THURSTON, Ph.D.
Empire State University | 2 Union | Saratoga Springs, NY
(518) 581-2203 | Cathryn.Thurston@SUNYEmpire.edu
EDUCATION
Ph.D., Conflict Analysis and Resolution
George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, 2005
Dissertation: Conflicting Decisions: Measuring group conflict management styles in a crisis decision-making environment
M.A., International Relations
Syracuse University, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, 1995
Program paper: Partnership for Peace: Expanding the NATO alliance
B.A., International Studies
University of Denver, 1992
Honors: Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa
Minor: Russian Language
Study Abroad: Janus Pannonius University, Pécs, Hungary, 1990
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
SUNY Empire State, School of Social and Behavioral Science, Department of Public Affairs
Associate Professor: Introduction to Security Studies; International Security; Security Implications of Global Climate Change; Counterterrorism; Social Science Research Methods; Perspectives in Terrorism; Conflict Analysis and Resolution; Violence – Problems and Solutions (2020-2021)
George Mason University, School of Public Policy, Peace Operations Policy Program
Adjunct Professor: Conflict Analysis for Peace Operations    (Fall 2005-09; 2011-13; Spring 17-19)
George Mason University, The School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution
Adjunct Professor: Theories of Conflict and Conflict Resolution    (Fall 2015)
National Intelligence University, Defense Intelligence Agency
Adjunct Professor: Thesis Proposal    (Fall 2010)
 
RAND Corporation, Washington, D.C.
Co-leader “Global Terrorism Today Course” for Intelligence Community   (2005-2007)
RESEARCH INTERESTS
  • Assessing the effectiveness of U.S. national strategies and plans
  • Analysis and resolution of deep-rooted conflict
  • Application of social science research methodology to intelligence problems
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
  • Academic Coordinator for Public Affairs, Emergency Management, Political Science
  • Program Lead:  B.S. Security Studies
  • Associate Department Chair, Public Affairs, Empire State College, 2021-present
  • Committees: Committee on Undergraduate Programs; Graduate School Policy Committee; Senate Rep; Search Committees; University Assessment Council
  • Chair, Lean-In Circle, ODNI Intelligence Campus, Bethesda, 2019
  • Co-Chair, Sub-group on Advanced Analytic Capabilities, Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office, Office of the Secretary of Defense, 2018-2020
  • Galileo Project Judge, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, 2013-2020
  • Mentor, ODNI Mentoring Circles, 2018
  • Editorial Board, Studies in Intelligence, Central Intelligence Agency, 2012-2016
  • Minerva Program research grant reviewer, Office of the Secretary of Defense, 2016-2017
  • Ombudsman for Student Issues, National Intelligence University, December 2014-2016
  • IRB Administrator, National Intelligence University, 2011-2015
  • Working group on research curriculum, National Intelligence University, 2013
  • Salary comparison study, RAND Corporation, 2008
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, INTELLIGENCE DIRECTORATE
Mission Manager, J25 Intelligence Strategy, Plans, and Policy (July 2019 – July 2020)
  • Integrated intelligence support for Global Campaign Planning.
  • Led intelligence elements of Joint Staff readiness reviews.
  • Built network of subject matter experts in the Defense Intelligence Enterprise and beyond.
 
DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE UNIVERSITY
Faculty Member, College of Strategic Intelligence, Intelligence Enterprise Department (2019)
  • Supported Leadership and Management certificate.
  • Re-started mentoring/support group for NIU faculty pursuing dissertations.
  • Supported first annual intelligence symposium with Consortium of Universities.
  • Established ODNI Lean-In Circle for IC Community Campus – Bethesda.
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE
NATIONAL COUNTERTERRORISM CENTER
Branch Chief, Strategic Assessments, Directorate for Strategic Operational Planning (Dec 16-18)
  • Led mixed team of 11 federal employees and contractors to perform multiple independent assessments of counterterrorism plans and activities; our efforts changed policy, refined strategies, engaged leaders in resource discussions and prioritization, built new decision-making processes.
  • Built and tracked goals and objectives, budget, individualized training plans; hired, mentored, conducted performance reviews.
  • Collaborated with assessment teams across U.S. government, including Department of Defense, State, Homeland Security, and intelligence agencies.
  • Built evidence-based measurement into strategic plans.
DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE UNIVERSITY
Deputy Vice President for Research                                                    (Dec 2015 – Dec 2016)
  • Managed day-to-day operations for Senior Executive Officer selected for Vice President Joint Duty Assignment.
  • Led hiring process for NIU Research Faculty; built structure and communications to conduct and disseminate research on strategic intelligence.
  • Implemented NIU strategic plan initiative on faculty research agendas by working with faculty leadership to establish faculty research plans and processes.
Acting Vice President for Research                                                  (Oct 2013 – Dec 2015)
  • Created the Office of Research by incorporating the Center for Strategic Intelligence Research, the National Intelligence Press, and the John T. Hughes Library, expanded staff, and built structure for a “think tank” to conduct research on strategic intelligence.
  • Led 2017-2021 NIU strategic plan sub-committee on research. Established the university’s goals to increase research capacity of NIU faculty, build collaborative research relationships within the IC as well as with academic and other partners, and to improve opportunities for publishing strategic intelligence research.
  • Transformed NIU organizational culture from single focus on teaching to one that includes faculty research, increased number and quality of faculty conducting research and publishing by 50%; faculty now taking ownership of research.
  • Conducted two IC-wide research workshops resulting in a report on types of IC research and video “communicating research results” (recorded and disseminated by DIA) supporting advanced sciences workforce.
  • Established research partnerships with National Intelligence Council; engaged new NIO and NIM structures culminating in research reports on technology in Africa, radicalization in Africa, as well as several outreach events on Cuba, Haiti, Burundi, the Ebola crisis, and Nigeria.
  • Improved NI Press processes resulting in four new books in 2015 on climate change, intelligence support to homeland disaster response, industrial analysis, and Latin American intelligence organizations.
  • Ombudsman for student issues (Dec 2014 – Dec 2016)
Director, Center for Strategic Intelligence Research                     (Jan 2009 – Oct 2013)
  • Transitioned CSIR from a student focus to an externally focused organization aligned with IC research priorities.
  • Improved quality of NIU Research Fellows Program by standardizing structure and implementing milestones; resulted in new frameworks and analytic tools for the IC, published research on terrorism, climate change, homeland security, intelligence analysis; successful fellows moved into positions of leadership in the IC.
  • Developed NIU Human Subjects Research Protection Program, in collaborating with the Vice Provost, resulting in the first classified IRB in the Defense Department.
RAND CORPORATION
Political Scientist                                                                       (Jan 2002- Dec 2008)
  • Expert in program analysis and evaluation, building partner capacity, terrorism analysis, and post-conflict reconstruction for Army, Air Force, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Intelligence Community, RAND Institute for Middle East Youth, and Department of Energy.
  • Identified needs and selected the appropriate research methodology to help program managers develop objective measures that are easy to understand and apply in the field.
Military Operations
  • Team Member, Office of the Secretary of Defense, reviewed U.S. Army detainee operations in Korean War.
  • Team member, Army Combined Arms Center, developed framework to evaluate effectiveness of U.S. information operations in OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (2004-2005).
Program Analysis and Evaluation
  • Task leader, Army International Affairs, assessed the value of U.S. Army international security cooperation programs” (2002-2005).
    • Moroney, Jennifer, D.P., et al (2009) A Framework to Assess Programs for Building Partnerships, RAND Corporation, MG-863, available at: http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG863/
    • Thurston, Cathryn, et al (2004) Assessing the value of Army international activities (AIA): Phase II, testing data collection tool and performance indicators, RAND Corporation, DRR-3255-A, Not cleared for open publication
    • Marquis, Jefferson P., et al (2004) Assessing the value of U.S. Army international activities, RAND Corporation, MG-329, available at: http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG329/
Building Partner Capacity
  • Team member, U.S. Army Headquarters, Plans and Policy, assessed security cooperation activities at the Embassy team (2008).
  • Task leader, Office of the Undersecretary of Defense (Policy) Global Partnership Strategy, developed framework and indicators to measure the effectiveness of Title 10 programs for Building Partner Capacity (2008).
  • Task leader, Army International Affairs, created a tool to assess the baseline capabilities of foreign armies, case study on Latin America (2007-2008).
  • Task leader, Army International Affairs, assessed U.S. Army programs to build partner capacity to conduct stability operations, case study on military exercises in Latin America (2006-2007).
  • Task leader, Army International Affairs, assessed U.S. Army programs to build capabilities with current and future coalition partners (2005-2006).
Terrorism
  • Co-project leader, Intelligence Community, managed and taught 10 iterations of course “Global Terrorism Today” (2005-2007).
  • Co-project leader, Department of Energy, designed and tested a framework to assess terrorist motivations to acquire nuclear materials and country capabilities to thwart them (2005-2006).
    • Thurston, Cathryn, et al (2006) Assessing the Motivation and Capabilities of Terrorist Groups and Countries, RAND Corporation, TR-427-DOE, Not cleared for open publication
    • Libicki, Martin, et al (2005) An Organizational Framework for Terrorist CBRN Acquisition and Deployment, RAND Corporation, PM-1902, Not cleared for open publication
Post-Conflict Reconstruction
  • Co-project leader, U.S. Army, Lessons for Iraq: Similarities and Differences Between 1975 Civil War in Lebanon and the War in Iraq (2006-2007).
  • Task leader, RAND Institute for Middle East Youth, Women’s protest movements: Case study on Argentina (2006-2007).
  • Task leader, RAND Institute for Middle East Youth, assessed health and education programs for women and girls in post-conflict Afghanistan (2005-2006).
U.S. ARMY
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF FOR INTELLIGENCE
Intelligence Analyst for West Europe and NATO Trends                               (1997-2000)
  • Focused on political, economic, military trends in Europe, NATO, Aegean, and Central Asia.
  • Provided intelligence support to Army leadership during Kosovo crisis.
  • Represented Army in IC and inter-agency working groups.
 
Presidential Management Intern                                                                      (1995-1997)
  • Professional training in leadership and management, intelligence analysis.
  • Civilian graduate of U.S. Army Military Intelligence Officers Basic Course.
  • Rotation to US Mission to NATO, Office of the Defense Advisor.
  • Rotation to Office of the Secretary of Defense, Program Analysis and Evaluation.
  • Rotation to RAND Corporation, project on U.S. Force Posture in Europe after the Cold War.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
    • Military Operations Research Society (2017-present)
  • American Evaluation Association (2017-2019)
  • International Studies Association (ISA) (1998 – present)
    • Program co-chair, Peace Studies Section, Toronto 2014 and New Orleans 2015
    • Program chair, Peace Studies Section, Montreal 2011
  • International Association for Intelligence Education (IAFIE) (2009-2015)
    • Essay Contest Committee Chair (2011-2014)
  • Council on Emerging National Security Affairs (CENSA) (2005-present)
  • Peace and Collaborative Development Network (PCDN)