The Texas A&M University System’s Research Security Office (RSO) has achieved an unprecedented milestone by winning the prestigious Jack Donnelly Excellence in Counterintelligence Award for the fourth time, setting a record among academic institutions. Presented by the U.S. Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) in conjunction with the Office of Counterintelligence, the 2024 award recognizes institutions that demonstrate exceptional vigilance and effectiveness in safeguarding America’s sensitive and classified research from foreign intelligence threats.
Since its inception, Texas A&M’s Research Security Office has established itself as a cornerstone of America’s academic security efforts, consistently pushing the boundaries of counterintelligence practices in an educational setting. Under the leadership of Dr. Kevin Gamache, the chief research security officer, the office has successfully implemented a proactive, multi-faceted approach to threat detection, mitigation, and disruption. These efforts, coupled with a rigorous internal culture that prioritizes security consciousness, have made the A&M System a national benchmark for research protection.
A significant part of this commitment is demonstrated through the Academic Security and Counter-Exploitation (ASCE) Program, initiated in 2017. ASCE has evolved into the world’s largest event dedicated to research security training, drawing participants from numerous countries each year. Now celebrating its tenth year, the ASCE Program highlights the global recognition and leadership Texas A&M enjoys in the field of counterintelligence.
Further expanding on this foundation, Texas A&M established the Research and Innovation Security and Competitiveness (RISC) Institute in 2023, with Dr. Gamache as its inaugural director. The RISC Institute has rapidly emerged as a critical hub for advancing secure, innovative practices within academic and industrial research, emphasizing both protection and competitiveness. It serves as a center for thought leadership, offering pioneering strategies to preserve America’s competitive advantage in scientific and technological innovation against increasing foreign espionage threats.
Chancellor John Sharp praised the accomplishment, emphasizing Texas A&M’s longstanding dedication to national security and the responsibility of protecting critical research. Dr. Gamache echoed these sentiments, asserting that the latest accolade validates the dedicated efforts of his team and the broader mission of the RISC Institute in setting standards for academic research security.
The Jack Donnelly Excellence in Counterintelligence Award will be officially recognized during the upcoming National Classified Management Society event, underscoring Texas A&M’s essential role in national security and its continuing commitment to excellence in counterintelligence operations.