SecNav Institutes Community Involvement Committee at Naval Postgraduate School

From Defense Media Activity - Navy

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus directed the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) working group and NPS leadership to reach out to community business leaders, elected officials, and educational partners from the Monterey peninsula to strengthen ties between the school and the community.

Mabus established the working group to help NPS identify best practices to correct administrative inadequacies identified in a recent Naval Inspector General (NAVINSGEN) inspection.

The working group is led by Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Juan M. Garcia, and co-chaired by NPS interim president, Rear Admiral Jan E. Tighe. The working group reports directly to Under Secretary of the Navy, Robert O. Work, and the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Mark Ferguson. Work, Ferguson, and Tighe are alumni of NPS.

Community involvement focus groups, composed of community business leaders, elected officials, and educational partners, will convene at NPS in a series of sessions and consult with the working group. The purpose of the focus groups is to help identify the aspects of NPS mission and functions most important to community leaders as the school implements changes to address the recommendations noted in the NAVINSGEN reports.

"There is no better place for world-class graduate education and research programs than NPS, and one of the fundamental strengths behind the school's long history of success has been its collaborative relationship and transparency with the greater Monterey peninsula," said Mabus. "The NPS working group was chartered to strengthen that relationship and ultimately, NPS."

"By including the broader community as we plan for NPS's future successes, the Navy reinforces its commitment to the institution and its longstanding relationship with the region," continued Mabus.

The Naval Postgraduate School is a prestigious accredited institution, providing high-quality, relevant, and unique advanced education and research programs that increase the combat effectiveness of the naval services, other armed forces of the United States and our partners, and enhances the nation's national security.