As national and nuclear security challenges intensified in the fall of 2025, the need for a stronger, more prepared workforce came into sharper focus. In response, the Howard H. Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, named Dr. Eric Keels assistant director of the Center for National Security and Foreign Affairs. Since his arrival, Keels has led a new phase of growth for the center, advancing efforts to build a talent pipeline from secondary education to early-career pathways.
With support from Battelle, NSFA is expanding capacity through programs that connect students with hands-on learning, mentorship, and real-world national security experiences.
“Battelle’s investment has already strengthened our ability to prepare high school students, undergraduates, and early-career professionals to engage thoughtfully with the rapidly evolving challenges of national security,” said Dr. Krista Wiegand, Director of NSFA. “To advance our shared goal of building a strong and robust talent pipeline, Dr. Keels brings a unique blend of national security experience and curricular leadership that is accelerating our efforts.”
In the first semester of programming, Keels launched a six-part speaker series designed to introduce students to careers in national security and foreign affairs. Guests included current and former U.S. Department of State Foreign Service officers, ambassadors, and military officials. In addition to public events, students had access to small-group discussions and one-on-one engagement with speakers.
“East Tennessee has attracted a remarkable number of highly talented retired military officers, diplomats, and entrepreneurs who have built careers in national security,” Keels said. “Their commitment to national service continues today, and we’re grateful for their willingness to support our students as we help develop the next generation of policy-minded leaders.”
Keels connects Baker School students with members of the Department of War and the intelligence community to help build a strong network to draw on throughout their time at the Baker School. His mentorship includes research, internships, and career advising, resume workshops, and guidance on the security clearance process.
That work extends beyond the university. Through the Battelle partnership, NSFA is building earlier entry points into the field by engaging high school students with age-appropriate curriculum and interactive classroom presentations.
Keels plans to expand this programming next semester to include experiential learning opportunities through simulations, including war games, trade conflict exercises, and hacking for defense programs.
Prior to joining the Baker School, Keels served as curriculum and associate professor at the U.S. Air Force’s Center for Strategy and Technology, known as Blue Horizons, within the Air War College. There he led academic programming and project development for the Air Force’s “think and do” tank, overseeing more than $3.5 million in annual research and development seed funding. He directed interdisciplinary teams working on projects that addressed emerging strategic threats, including carbon capture for synthetic jet fuel, non-kinetic effects, artificial intelligence applications in talent management, and rapid manufacturing of mission-specific drones.
Earlier in his career, Keels coordinated research on political violence at the One Earth Future Foundation and served as a postdoctoral research fellow in global security at the Baker Center for Public Policy, which turned into the Baker School. His research has been published in leading journals, including International Studies Quarterly, European Journal of International Relations, and the Journal of Conflict Resolution. He has received the Department of the Air Force Award for Meritorious Civilian Service and the Fairchild Award for Innovation in Air Force Education.
He has recently accepted a joint appointment with Y-12’s Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC, supporting the National Nuclear Security Administration. In this role, he will help connect policy and practice, advancing more effective processes and approaches to mission delivery.
These early efforts lay the foundation and vision for the vital role NSFA hopes to play in developing the next generation of national security and foreign affairs professionals. With continued support from Battelle, the Baker School is positioned to expand this work.
About the Center for National Security and Foreign Affairs
The Center for National Security and Foreign Affairs (NSFA) at the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs advances policy-relevant research, education, and engagement on critical national and international security challenges. NSFA faculty, fellows, and affiliates produce work on topics including Indo-Pacific security and U.S. alliances, military innovation, nuclear deterrence and nonproliferation, and economic and energy security. Through public programming and hands-on student experiences, including research, internships, and immersive learning opportunities, NSFA prepares the next generation of leaders in national security and foreign affairs.