Tag Archives: MIIS News & Events

Inaugural Monterey Threat Financing Forum March 20-22

The Middlebury Institute Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism is hosting the Monterey Threat Financing Forum this March. The event will take place on the Monterey campus and feature experts from government, FinTech, and the finance industry. The event is geared towards professionals in the threat finance, sanctions, and anti-money laundering fields with 3-5 years of relevant work experience. Current graduate and undergraduate students are welcome to attend.

The Middlebury Institute’s Center on Terrorism, Extremism and Counterterrorism (CTEC) and its Financial Crime Management program are hosting the first Monterey Threat Financing Forum (MTFF), an ambitious international conference featuring government and private sector speakers in the field of counter-terrorism financing, counter-proliferation financing, threat financing investigations, and sanctions compliance. The conference will be held on the Institute’s Monterey campus on March 20-22.

“We’re excited to be hosting this inaugural event,” says Professor Moyara Ruehsen, director of the Financial Crime Management Certificate. “No other educational institution can match the Middlebury Institute’s curricular focus and expertise when it comes to threat financing. And thanks to our sponsors, we’re also excited to be able to provide this learning and networking opportunity to professionals in the field at minimal cost.”

“One of CTEC’s three core focus areas is threat finance and sanctions,” adds CTEC Director Jason Blazakis. “The discussion led by top notch experts in the area of sanctions and threat finance at the MTFF fits squarely within the CTEC mission.” Participants can earn 12 Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) credits by attending this conference.

Organizers announced this week that the keynote speaker will be Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) at the U.S. Department of the Treasury Andrea Gacki. OFAC is the federal agency charged with implementing and enforcing economic sanctions on behalf of the U.S. government. Before joining OFAC 10 years ago, Gacki spent eight years at the Department of Justice’s Civil Division in the Federal Programs Branch. She holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School.

Participants can earn 12 Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) credits by attending this conference. Sessions will cover the latest sanctions evasion typologies, and how blockchain forensics can trace cryptocurrency transactions, supplemented by break-out workshops that offer the chance to analyze a fictitious terrorism financing case, trace the transnational workings of a real North Korean proliferation-financing operation, and learn how network analysis tools can aid investigators.

For the full agenda and more information about the conference visit the Monterey Threat Financing Forum website.

Staff Advisory Team Announces Spring Staff Meet-Up Schedule and Training Opportunties

MIIS staff are encouraged to save the date for these spring events. Please visit http://sites.miis.edu/staff for past meeting notes and more information.

Future Staff Meet-Ups (12-1pm in MG 102)

Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Project Management Workshop

Tuesday, January 15

10:30-12pm, CF 452

Sign up: go.miis.edu/projectmanagement

Oratory Now Workshop

Monday, February 4

10:30-12pm, Morse B106

Sign up: go.miis.edu/oratory (space is limited to 18 participants)

MIIS Community Surpasses Food Bank Donation Goal

The Middlebury Institute community collected 624 pounds of food for The Food Bank for Monterey County, whizzing by its 500 pound goal.

The campaign kicked-off with a presentation by Food Bank for Monterey County Executive Director Melissa Kendrick ’94 during the annual MIIS Staff Halloween party.

Naomi Braswell coordinated the effort and shared this message with faculty and staff:

“Simply put, if it wasn’t for our wonderful Staff and Faculty, we couldn’t and wouldn’t have made a dent in the much needed food donations. So thank you for supplying the can foods, dry foods and cash donations that we needed to make a difference in the lives of those who struggle with hunger, right here in our own County and local community. Your generosity will make an immediate difference in the lives of those that these donations feed and enable many to gather around their tables for a wholesome meal this holiday season in an atmosphere of dignity and respect!”

MIIS faculty and staff interested in volunteering at the Food Bank for Monterey County can contact:

Sandra Nunez at (831) 758-1523 | snunez@food4hungry.org
Stephanie Robles (831) 758-1523 | srobles@food4hungry.org

SAT November Meeting Notes and December 4 Save the Date

The Middlebury Institute Staff Advisory Team (SAT) would like to share the following updates:

1.) November Staff Meet-Up recording and notes are available on our blog.

2.) Save the date for our December 4 meeting from 12-1pm in MG 102. This meeting will feature presentations from Jeff Dayton-Johnson on our financial sustainability goals and Patricia Szasz on the new structure of Language and Professional Programs.

Learn more about SAT and other staff news in our monthly newsletters.

25 Years @ The Middlebury Institute with Nukhet Kardam

Nukhet Kardam, Professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, recently passed her 25-year mark of employment.  Nukhet took a few minutes to share her thoughts of “Life at the Institute” over the past two and a half decades.

1. What did you do prior to coming to work at the Middlebury Institute and where were you located?

I was working as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Pomona College in the Department of Politics in Claremont, California.

2. What job titles have you held while working at the Middlebury Institute?

I think I came as Associate Professor, and then became Full Professor. I was the Program Chair for the MPA Program for several years.

3. Take us back to your first year as an employee at MIIS. What were the most significant things happening in your life outside of work then?

It was 1993, my son was 6 years old and started elementary school in Pacific Grove. We moved as a family to Pacific Grove and rented a house and hoped that my husband would find a job in this area, but it never happened. The first year I was at MIIS, he was on sabbatical from Scripps College in Claremont and he continued working there as a faculty member until he retired in 2008.

4. What are the most significant things happening in your life outside of work now (that you’d like to share)?

I am putting on “Aging Creatively” workshops for people in my generation. I absolutely love it and would like to expand these workshops, perhaps offering them to faculty across Middlebury who are close to retirement or already retired.

5. Have your interests/hobbies/athletic endeavors changed over the past 25 years? Have any of these been influenced by your work at MIIS or due to your association with others who work here?

I have realized that I don’t just want to be an intellectual and focusing on my mind, but become a ‘whole person’. So, I have become a Qi Gong and Zumba instructor. I am convinced that to live a fulfilled life, one has to combine all faculties and functions (imagination, thought, feelings, sensations) and trust one’s heart. I am on a Sufi spiritual path and I would like to combine my creativity, philosophy, and spirituality to offer to others and learn from others.

6. What is your fondest memory or experience that you’ve had while working at MIIS?

I don’t have a fondest memory. What I enjoy most is hearing form my former students and having a continuing relationship with them.

7. Many people change jobs/careers multiple times in their working life. Something must have kept you here for 25 years. Is it anything that you can put into words?

Yes, the ability of the school to allow me to change and grow. As I changed, the school accommodated me and allowed my creativity and different ideas to take shape and blossom. As the school changed, I stuck with it. What school would have given me the chance to write a book about my grandfather, go to Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, and ultimately publish a book on Identity (from Ottoman to Turk and Beyond: Watercolor Identities)? This research was very close to my heart and also led to a successful seminar I still teach called Powerle Identity and Multiculturalism.

8. What are your plans for the next 25 years?

Offer “Aging Creatively” workshops around the U.S and in Turkey; teach Zumba Gold and Qi Gong classes, continue playing the piano and learn jazz piano and composition.

9. Do you have a favorite place on campus?

My office is perfect – large, great view, and all.

10. Is there any person on campus (or retiree, former employer) that mentored you, or you feel helped you grow into your job, grow to enjoy your work and your time at the Institute?

Yes, I could mention Ed Laurance who mentored me when I first came. We taught a couple of courses together which helped me a lot. Amy Sands, as Dean and then later Provost, always supported me and provided space for me to change. Amy McGill has been and is a great supporter.

11. If you could give one piece of advice to a new employee at MIIS, what would it be?

Give yourself time to grow into the job, make sure to get to know people from different programs, including staff, faculty, and students. Become part of the community and ENJOY it.

12. Is there anything else that you would like to share about your time at MIIS?

I have loved it!!

MIIS Open House at the Monterey Sports Center

Save the date! The Office of Student Services, in collaboration with the Vice President’s Office, invites you to the Monterey Sports Center on Sunday, October 14 between 6:30pm and 8:30pm for a MIIS-only open house night.

After closing for the evening, the Sports Center will reopen its doors at 6:30pm for Middlebury Institute community members only. Staff, Faculty and Students are all invited, and we encourage you to bring your family members, partners and guests. Children are welcome to join with their parents! Bring your student, staff or faculty ID for entry; all guests must arrive with their accompanying host.

Stop by 301 E. Franklin Street between 6:30pm and 8:30pm to:

  • Try a Sports Center sampler class
  • Experience an intro to Kettlebell Flow class
  • Play indoor soccer with the MIIS Globadores Futbol Club
  • Enjoy the hot sauna and pool area (including the kids pool for those with children!)
  • Grab a snack at the indoor Café
  • Try out your regular workout in the Sports Center’s fully equipped workout rooms, mat areas and weight room
  • Check out the facilities at the Sports Center and consider a membership

We will follow up with you shortly to provide a full schedule of activities and classes being offered during the Open House.

 

Alisyn Gruener

Assistant Dean of Student Life and Engagement

Middlebury Institute of International Studies

460 Pierce Street

Monterey, CA 93940

831-647-6583 | agruener@middlebury.edu

miis.edu

25 Years @ the Middlebury Institute with Bill Lackey

Bill Lackey, Maintenance Engineer at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, recently passed his 25-year mark of employment.  Bill has become an integral part of the Institute community and took a few minutes to share his thoughts of “Life at the Institute” over the past two and a half decades.

1. What did you do prior to coming to work at the Middlebury Institute and where were you located?

Before I came to work for MIIS, I worked as a Union Journeyman Carpenter. I started my apprenticeship program in 1978 in Scotts Valley, building the Hidden Oak Condos for four years. Subsequently, I was employed in the building industry and have worked on many jobs including Spanish Bay at Pebble Beach and their condos, Bridges in Salinas, Pacheco Pass and San Jose, Presidio of Monterey, Fort Ord, Hunter Liggett, K-Mart, and many privately owned homes throughout the United States.

2. What job titles have you held while working at the Middlebury Institute?

I started working at MIIS as the Maintenance Engineer Supervisor. I was in charge of seven in-house custodians, Campus Security, Events and Set-Ups, Classrooms, and Grounds. I hired one individual and, of course, managed the numerous maintenance needs as there was a lot to do and not much help back then. I currently hold the job title of Maintenance Engineer.

3. Take us back to your first year as an employee at MIIS. What were the most significant things happening in your life outside of work then?

I was replacing all of the electrical wiring throughout my house and had to remove every existing wall. I was also working 52 hours a week while trying to complete this large undertaking. Slowly and steadily, I was able to replace the wires and install the sheet rock, tape, mud, and texture. I was very proud when I accomplished all of this work by myself.

4. What are the most significant things happening in your life outside of work now (that you’d like to share)?

I am starting to build an addition to my home as my kids have come to live with me. This should prove to be another life experience that I will remember.

5. Have your interests/hobbies/athletic endeavors changed over the past 25 years? Have any of these been influenced by your work at MIIS or due to your association with others who work here?

My life outside of work centers around my family and my granddaughter. I do have hobbies, which include motorcycle rides, wood working, bead work, and nice beach days.

6. What is your fondest memory or experience that you’ve had while working at MIIS?

I do enjoy seeing all of the friendly faces here at MIIS and greeting everyone that I see. One of my fondest memories was when I crafted a plaque from the wood of our Adobe Cypress Tree for former MIIS President Sunder Ramaswamy. It was a pleasure to create something from this wood and give it to our departing President.

7. Many people change jobs/careers multiple times in their working life. Something must have kept you here for 25 years. Is it anything that you can put into words?

When I worked in the general construction industry, the jobs were always completed and once completed, I had to move on. Here at MIIS, the work is never ending. I have a stated purpose and feel fulfilled with a great sense of pride in my work accomplishments. MIIS has become my home away from home and I know that tomorrow, when I come in to work, there will be more work to be done!

8. What are your plans for the next 25 years?

Stay as healthy as I can and keep doing what I have enjoyed for most of my life.

9. Do you have a favorite place on campus?

I don’t have one preferred place here on MIIS Campus. Working as a Maintenance Engineer, I am all over this campus during a week’s work. I enjoy this campus and view each of the buildings as if they were my own and each building and location are special in their own way.

10. Is there any person on campus (or retiree, former employer) that mentored you, or you feel helped you grow into your job, grow to enjoy your work and your time at the Institute?

I worked under President Emeritus Robert Gard in the 90’s and we had some special talks about life and work that I remember well. Additionally, President Emeritus Steve Baker was also one that I admired here at MIIS. He called me his Chief Maintenance Engineer. I have fond memories of them both.

11. If you could give one piece of advice to a new employee at MIIS, what would it be?

My advice to a new employee is to never give up, stay slow and steady, and think about what you are doing before you do it.

12. Is there anything else that you would like to share about your time at MIIS?

I think of my long career here at MIIS like the stock market. It has had its ups and downs but I (we) have always recovered and come back into the light.

Thanks for all of my great memories throughout my 25 years of service here at MIIS. I have seen so many changes and look forward to the next 25 years!