By Annika Moody, ODNI Office of Strategic Communications
Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Dr. Stacey Dixon provided keynote remarks for the National Counterterrorism Center’s ‘Reflections of 9/11 Program’ and met students at City University of New York’s Grove School of Engineering and the High School for Math, Science and Engineering in New York City on Sept. 30.
The trip honored the 21st anniversary of 9/11 and focused on inspiring current Intelligence Community professionals and recruiting the next generation of public servants.
NCTC created the ‘Reflections of 9/11 Program’ as a way to connect Office of the Director of National Intelligence and NCTC officers to the history, experience, and lessons learned from the 9/11 attacks – and how that day led to ODNI and NCTC’s mission.
During the three-day ‘Reflections of 9/11 Program,’ guest speakers shared their personal experiences from that day and participants visited both the Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York City.
Dixon addressed participants in the program at the 9/11 Museum in New York City about the importance of remembering the attacks of September 11, 2001.
“We know that 9/11 exposed our flaws. It left deep wounds, it made deep impressions on those who bore witness to it. However, this adversity has turned into a strength,” said Dixon. “We are now better prepared, more resilient, and more capable than we were and perhaps than we’ve ever been.”
After a tour of the museum, Dixon headed to the City University of New York’s Grove School of Engineering. Dixon met with faculty and hosted a Q&A with students where she fielded questions about her career, ODNI, and the Intelligence Community as a whole.
Dixon shared how ODNI was created after the attacks on 9/11 as a way to help pull the Intelligence Community together and better share information to prevent future attacks.
Eighteen elements working together can leverage each organization’s strengths and provide better support than a single organization can do on its own, said Dixon.
After visiting Grove, Dixon headed across the street to the High School for Math, Science and Engineering where she was guided on a tour of the facility by current students. The visit concluded with another Q&A with the junior and senior classes.
While Dixon answered questions on a variety of topics, she emphasized the importance of diversity and making sure the Intelligence Community looks like America, and looks “like the people in this room.” HSMSE is recognized as being one of the most diverse schools in New York City.
Dixon also honed in on the importance of diversity during her keynote address at the 9/11 memorial.
“I see diversity as a strength, perhaps our greatest strength. One that has the power to bring us together, bind us together, like it did in the days and the weeks following September 11 of 2001. Diversity is a core characteristic of this nation. In many ways, it defines us,” said Dixon.
Dixon sought to inspire today’s Intelligence Community officers by affirming that they’re day-to-day work honors the legacy of 9/11, saying, “you are our sword and our shield, keeping faith with our people, making true our commitment to protect them and defend the values that we hold most dear,” said Dixon. “We should recognize and be proud of the fact that, for our generations and for those that follow, this is our charge and one of the great enduring legacies of September 11.”