In April 2025, Dr. William Ruger, a former tenured associate professor in the department, was appointed as the Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Mission Integration (DDNI/MI). In this role, Dr. Ruger leads the intelligence community’s efforts to coordinate intelligence gathering and analysis across agencies. According to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), he oversees key functions such as the President’s Daily Brief, the work of National Intelligence Managers, and the National Intelligence Council.
The U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) is made up of 18 agencies and organizations under the Executive Branch. These entities operate both independently and collaboratively to provide the intelligence needed for U.S. foreign policy and national security. Within this structure, the ODNI – working with the Principal Deputy DNI, Mission Managers, and Deputy Directors – aims to unify foreign, military, and domestic intelligence efforts to protect the nation and advance U.S. interests abroad.
Dr. Ruger earned his Ph.D. in Politics from Brandeis University and an A.B. from the College of William and Mary. His scholarship has appeared in a number of academic journals including International Studies Quarterly, Civil Wars, and Armed Forces and Society. His books include Milton Friedman (Bloomsbury Academic), Freedom in the 50 States (Cato Institute), and The State of Texas (McGraw-Hill). He taught at Texas State from 2007-2014.
