Whitney Grespin - Defense Security Cooperation University

Faculty

Regional Advising

Dr. Whitney Grespin joined the Institute for Security Governance (ISG) in August 2022 as an Africa Regional Program Lead (RPL) in the Regional Advising Division. In this role, Dr. Grespin manages Institutional Capacity Building (ICB) projects in the AFRICOM area of responsibility, working directly with defense and security partners across western Africa. 

Prior to joining ISG, Dr. Grespin worked across east Africa for the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) Somalia as well as serving as an embedded advisor at the Somali Ministry of Defense.  Prior to these positions, she worked as a Peace Operations Analyst at the U.S. Army War College’s Peacekeeping & Stability Operations Institute (PKSOI) following a decade of support to contingency contracting companies supporting DoD and DoS efforts in complex environments. She also completed a Postdoc at the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Institute for Future Conflict.

In her roles at UNMAS and IGAD, Dr. Grespin focused regional strategy coordination and capacity assessments to counter Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). During her work at the Somali Ministry of Defense, she served outside of Chief of Mission authority to conduct Functionality-based Security Force Assistance (FbSFA) focused on building the capabilities and capacities of the Ministry of Defense and subordinate operational elements in order to develop and strengthen security institutions which are under civilian control, an operate effectively and efficiently, are viewed as legitimate, defend the Constitution of Somalia, and adequately secure the population of Somalia. During her tenure at PKSOI, Dr. Grespin served as the lead on the UNSCR 1325 Women, Peace, and Security portfolio while backstopping the Institute’s role as Joint Proponent on Protection of Civilians. 

Dr. Grespin holds a PhD from King’s College London’s Defence Studies Department at the UK Joint Services Command and Staff College.  Her PhD focused on the USG use of contractors to train partner militaries in the AFRICOM AOR. She also holds a master’s degree in Human Security from the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public & International Affairs, a Bachelor of Arts from Duquesne University, a post-baccalaureate secondary education teaching certification from Penn State’s School of Behavioral Sciences & Education, a project management certification from Georgetown’s School of Continuing & Professional Studies, and a Certificate of Leadership Development from the U.S. Army War College. She is a Term Member at the Council on Foreign Relations, prior flag carrier for the Society of Woman Geographers, and a Non-Resident Fellow at the Joint Special Operations University.