Hopper Award

Recognizing Distinguished Leaders

The Admiral Grace Hopper Award recognizes distinguished individuals who are thought leaders advancing the fields of information and cyberspace in the national security community while while inspiring innovation and unique contributions in support of these fields.
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 the achievements of individuals with distinctive backgrounds and personal experiences who have obtained significant leadership levels in national security. Hopper can be seen here working as part of a 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 Excellence ★

The Rear Admiral Grace Hopper Award was created under the Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-68). The Hopper Award is presented annually by the Chancellor of the College of Information and Cyberspace of National Defense University. The award recognizes highly distinguished individuals who are thought leaders in advancing the fields of information and cyberspace in the national security community, as well as those who have a distinguished record of mentorship and commitment to building a strong and effective U.S. workforce.

The award is named in honor of Admiral Grace Hopper, USN, a notable pioneer in computing who served as an instructor at the Department of Defense Computer Institute (DODCI), the forerunner of the College of Information and Cyberspace. Watch a former DODCI employee recount his experiences with Hopper here. Read an article about the dedication of our Hopper Auditorium here, The inaugural award ceremony was held there.

A selection committee, led by Dr. Linda Jantzen and comprised of staff, faculty, and students, reviews nominated candidates and makes recommendations for final selection to the college Chancellor. One recipient is selected annually and invited to share their professional insights with the wider university community during an annual lecture series. The recipient must be a notable senior leader in the national security, information, and cyberspace fields and one who achieved success against multiple obstacles and challenges.

This award program directly supports the educational mission of the National Defense University while also recognizing the achievements of individuals with diverse backgrounds and distinctive personal experiences who have obtained significant leadership levels in national security.

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.