Hopper Award

Recognizing Distinguished Leaders

The Admiral Grace Hopper Award recognizes highly distinguished thought leaders in the national security, information, and/or cyberspace fields who represents the pursuit of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Our Most Famous Former Instructor

Then Captain Hopper can be seen here with the DoD Computer Institute (DODCI) Director, Captain King, wearing her DODCI Instructor name badge.
A Legacy of Leadership

This award recognizes those who have led in the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workforce. Hopper can be seen here working as part of a diverse team.
Watch "Our Heritage" Videos

Watch distinguished professionals like Fred Moxley (PhD x 2) recount their time working with Grace Hopper at our school. Find the video on the NDU CIC YouTube channel.
Respecting our Past

Dr. Margaret Myers (left) from the Office of the DoD CIO, and Dr. Bob Childs, the Director of the Information Resources Management College (IRMC). unveiling the Hopper Memorial Plaque at the opening of the Hopper Auditorium in 2004.

The Rear Admiral Grace Hopper Award
★ A Commitment to Inclusion ★

The Rear Admiral Grace Hopper Award is presented annually by the Chancellor of the College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC) at National Defense University (NDU). This award recognizes distinguished individuals who are both thought leaders advancing the fields of information and cyberspace in the national security community, as well as those who have a track record of advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in support of a strong workforce.

It is named in honor of "Amazing" Grace Hopper, an early and notable pioneer in computing who also served as an instructor at the Department of Defense (DOD) Computer Institute (DODCI), which is a previous name of CIC. Watch a former DODCI employee recount his experiences with Hopper here. Read an article about the dedication of our Hopper Auditorium here, which is where the inaugural award ceremony was held.

A selection committee (led by Assistant Professor Linda Jantzen and comprised of staff, faculty, and student representation) reviews nominated candidates and makes recommendations for selection by the CIC Chancellor. There is one recipient annually and they are provided the opportunity to share their insights with the CIC community as a lecture. The recipient must be a notable senior leader in the national security, information, and/or cyberspace fields who represents the pursuit of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

This program directly supports the CIC and NDU educational mission, while also pursuing the spirit of the Military Leadership Diversity Commission Final Report (2011), DoD Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan (2012), DoD Women, Peace, and Security Strategic Framework and Implementation Plan (2020), and Executive Order 13985 “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government” (2021).

The 2025 Recipient:

LTG (Ret) Karen Gibson

Karen Gibson became the Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate on March 22, 2021, having recently completed a 33-year military career in which she attained the rank of Lieutenant General in the United States Army.

Ms. Gibson has performed in numerous intelligence and cyberspace operations roles, culminating her military service as Deputy Director of National Intelligence for National Security Partnerships. In previous assignments, she served as Director of Intelligence for United States Central Command; Director of Intelligence for Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve, the multinational coalition to defeat ISIS; and Deputy Commanding General for U.S. Army Cyber Command. A seasoned combat veteran, Ms. Gibson has led intelligence-operations fusion centers in Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, East Africa, and in the United States.

Ms. Gibson is a native of Bozeman, Montana. She earned a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University, a M.S. in National Security Strategy from the National War College, and a M.S. in Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University. She is married and has two adult children.