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ӣ������ Manchester’s downtown campus, close-knit classes, and hands-on security studies programs really help students turn their curiosity into something real. For Max Hytinen, a 2020 graduate of Leominster High School, those pieces came together in a big way, transforming an undergrad capstone project into graduate-level research, national conference presentations, competitive scholarships, and even a growing career in corporate security. 

Max finished his B.S. in Homeland Security in 2024, along with minors in Corporate Security, Emergency Management, and Global Studies. He is now working toward his , graduating in 2026. He shares, 

“During my senior year as an undergraduate in the Homeland Security program, I decided to continue my education at the ӣ������ by pursuing a Master of Science in National Security Intelligence Analysis.” 

Why ӣ������ Manchester 

For Max, choosing to stay at ӣ������ Manchester really started with a capstone project that had real-world impact. His team researched the implementation of electric vehicles in the ӣ������ Durham Police Department’s fleet, and somewhere in that work, he realized he’d found something he really loved doing: 

“Through this project, I discovered that I deeply enjoyed the research and analytical process.” 

What really stuck with him was the purpose behind it. He shares, 

“It was especially rewarding to know that our work would inform a real decision with the potential to impact the local community.” 

ӣ������ Manchester’s small, close-knit campus made it easy for Max to keep going. Here, faculty know students by name, classes are hands-on, and the downtown setting puts you close to real opportunities. So, when he got talking with his capstone professor about digging deeper into research, the next step came naturally.  

“We formed a research group and began a study on the use of corporate intelligence and intelligence capabilities at the governing level in the sports industry.” The goal? “To publish one of the first academic papers in the emerging field of private sector intelligence.” 

Working alongside both faculty and students in the NSIA program helped Max confirm that ӣ������ Manchester was the right place for him to strengthen his analytical skills. 

Choosing the NSIA Program 

ӣ������ Manchester’s security studies programs, both the Homeland Security (HLS) major and the National Security Intelligence Analysis (NSIA) master’s, fit exactly what Max was looking for. As he puts it, 

“The faculty and the support system they provide are unlike anything I have previously experienced; I genuinely feel that each of my professors is invested in my success.” 

The coursework also lines up with what he naturally loves: “I genuinely enjoy analysis, writing, and geopolitics.” 

Max says the NSIA program helped him develop analytical methods that emphasize accuracy, credibility, mitigate bias, and prepared him to analyze national security threats using multiple analytical lenses and established intelligence tradecraft. The flexibility of the program mattered, too: 

“The program is offered asynchronously. This allows me to work full-time and learn at my convenience.” 

Research with National Reach 

What started as a single project has grown into something much bigger. 

“During both my undergraduate and graduate studies, I participated in a research project focused on the use of intelligence within the sports industry.” 

The work examines the scope and nature of private sector threat intelligence within sport leagues, particularly how intelligence practices can mitigate risks, enhance decision-making, and maintain operational security. That research took Max across the country. 

“I had the opportunity to present our findings at the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.” 

During the three-day event, he presented to approximately 500 leaders in sports security, engaged with individuals who contributed to the research, networked with industry professionals, and participated in discussions on a wide range of sports security issues. After a long research journey, the team is approaching a major milestone. 

“I am happy to say our research is through the peer review processes and is scheduled to be published by summer 2026,” says Max. 

Mentorship, Community, and Recognition 

One of the things that makes ӣ������ Manchester special is how students support each other, and Max has really leaned into that part of the experience. 

“The most meaningful aspect of my experience at the ӣ������ has been the opportunity to give back by supporting fellow students.” 

He’s held calls with students facing academic challenges or uncertainty about their career paths, and he’s also been invited to speak on multiple occasions about his own journey. As he puts it, “Supporting students in their academic work and offering guidance in potential career paths has been the most rewarding experience of my time at ӣ������.” 

And he’s not done: “I look forward to any potential ways I can contribute back to a system that has done so much for me.” 

Alongside that community impact, Max’s achievements have been recognized through scholarships and honors: he earned the ӣ������ IC Scholar Scholarship Award in 2024 and in 2025 through the Northeast Intelligence Community Centers for Academic Excellence (NE IC CAE) and is a member of the Order of the Sword and Shield Honors Society. 

From Classroom to Corporate Security 

Max isn’t waiting until graduation to start putting his skills to work. 

“I currently serve as an embedded Intelligence and Global Security Operations Analyst with Polaris Corporate Risk Management, supporting a client through intelligence-driven security operations.” 

In his role, he synthesizes information from open-source intelligence platforms to produce both operational and strategic intelligence products and leads the intelligence function of the client’s Global Security Operations Center (GSOC). His day-to-day includes intelligence briefings and written reporting, travel security support, continuous OSINT monitoring, and geopolitical risk analysis. 

And the connection to his graduate program is clear: 

“In my role, I directly use knowledge I learned through the NSIA program to meet my client’s needs for our global corporate security program.” 

When asked what he’s most proud of, Max doesn’t hesitate: “The potential for publication after two years of hard work.” 

Ready to Explore What’s Possible? 

Max’s experience at ӣ������ Manchester shows how much you can accomplish when you have faculty who know you by name, hands‑on research opportunities, a supportive community, and real‑world learning built into your program. If you’re curious about Homeland Security or interested in the wider field of security studies, we encourage you to explore our programs, connect with the people who teach and support them, and see how our downtown campus and small classes can help you turn your interests into impact.  

Learn more about our Security Studies programs at ӣ������: