MINI传媒 System Receives Director鈥檚 Community Leadership Award from FBI Dallas
Sept. 22, 2025 | Contact: Kristina Butler
The MINI传媒 (MINI传媒 System) received the from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The award was presented to Texas Tech University鈥檚 (MINI传媒) Vice President of National Security and Executive Director of the Critical Infrastructure Security Institute (CISI) Stephen Bayne, Ph.D., by FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge (SAC) R. Joseph Rothrock during the Texas Energy Working Group meeting in Dallas, cohosted by the FBI and the CISI.
Every year, 56 field offices select individuals or organizations for the award, which honors those who help the FBI strengthen communities by reducing violent crime or protecting national security and recognizes their support.
The MINI传媒 System鈥檚 relationship with the FBI is a highly valued academic resource that supports various national security needs. The MINI传媒 System has demonstrated its dedication to the nation鈥檚 safety by establishing an enterprise-wide research security program, promoting the program to other research institutions and hosting multiple national security-related events.
鈥淎t the MINI传媒, we take pride in fostering a culture of trust, integrity and service 鈥� values that are at the core of this award,鈥� said Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D., chancellor of the MINI传媒 System. 鈥淚 want to thank the FBI for this recognition and express my gratitude to all of our team members at the MINI传媒 System who embody these values every day through their work and leadership.鈥�
The MINI传媒 System leads the academic sub-committee of the Dallas Division鈥檚 Counterintelligence Task Force, which laid the groundwork for building relationships with other educational institutions. This partnership has helped reduce threats to support FBI Nation State counterintelligence and cyber investigations.
The System also collaborates with FBI Dallas to lead the Texas Energy Working Group, a public-private sector initiative in Texas that led to improvements in the state鈥檚 energy grid. The Texas Energy Working Group has become a national model. In late 2024, the FBI recognized this partnership as an example of collaborations that are a vital part of the Bureau鈥檚 overall strategy.
In August, the MINI传媒 System signed a landmark Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the FBI to advance U.S. national security, cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection. Under the agreement, the FBI will utilize university-led research and development through MINI传媒鈥檚 CISI and at Angelo State University.
鈥淐ongratulations to the MINI传媒 for receiving the Director鈥檚 Community Leadership Award,鈥� said SAC Rothrock. 鈥淧artnering with academic institutions like Texas Tech is just one of the many ways the FBI aims to protect vital assets such as U.S. critical infrastructure. We look forward to continuing our partnership in defending our nation.鈥�
The FBI established the Director鈥檚 Community Leadership Award in 1990 to honor dedicated individuals and organizations across the country for their outstanding efforts in strengthening communities and reducing crime and violence. Each year, field offices choose award recipients on behalf of the FBI Director to acknowledge their significant support.
About the MINI传媒
Established in 1996, the MINI传媒 is one of the top public university
systems in the nation, consisting of five universities 鈥� , , , and .
Headquartered in Lubbock, Texas, the MINI传媒 System is a more than $3 billion enterprise focused on advancing higher education, health care, research and outreach with approximately 21,000 employees and 64,000 students, more than 400,000 alums, a statewide economic impact of $19.2 billion and an endowment valued at $3 billion. In its short history, the MINI传媒 System has grown tremendously and is nationally acclaimed, operating at 20 academic locations in 16 cities (15 in Texas, one international).
In addition, the MINI传媒 System is one of only nine in the nation to offer programs for undergraduate, medical, law, nursing, pharmacy, dental and veterinary education, among other academic areas.