Homeland Security Research Program at Western Illinois University
About the Program
The Homeland Security Research Program (HSRP), based in the Department of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration (LEJA) of Western Illinois University (WIU), undertakes various activities, including: all facets of homeland security studies from the radicalization and recruitment of extremists/terrorists on the Internet, terrorism and law enforcement, and terrorism and business to the legal aspects of homeland security and homeland security technologies. The HSRP contributed to an online database of Illinois-based homeland security firms. HSRP is involved in organizing and participating in international and domestic seminars and forums on homeland security issues. The publication of homeland security-related analyses, media outreach, and an internship program are other facets of the HSRP. Additionally, the HSRP played a role in the creation of an undergraduate minor in Homeland Security at WIU. Dean C. Alexander, Associate Professor, Homeland Security in LEJA, serves as Director of the HSRP. http://www.wiu.edu/leja/Faculty_Staff/alexander.html
Prof. Alexander and Dr. Jamie L. Johnson of the Department of Health Sciences, http://www.wiu.edu/Health/Faculty/johnson.html, argue that since the U.S. government must be better adept at preventing and mitigating terrorists threats, a new institution, namely, the Homeland Security Intelligence Academy (HSIA), should be established. HSIA will provide a conveyor-belt of individuals educated and trained professionals to ultimately hold high-level homeland security and intelligence-related policy, operational, management, and staff positions in the U.S. government.
For more information on some of the articles that the two have published on this topic, please see:
- Memo to the President: Establish a Federal Homeland Security Undergraduate Academy/University, Security Magazine, December 2008. http://www.securitymagazine.com/Articles/Feature_Article/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000485569
- Better ‘Armed’ Warriors Deserve Better Centralized Security, Intelligence Help, Security Magazine, March 2009. http://www.securitymagazine.com/Articles/Feature_Article/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000546621
- Academic Studies at a Federal Homeland Security Intelligence Federal Academy, Security Magazine, July 2009. http://www.securitymagazine.com/Articles/Industry_News/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000633593
- Pathway to Reality: The Establishment of the Homeland Security Intelligence Academy, Security Magazine, August 2009. http://www.securitymagazine.com/Articles/Feature_Article/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000640729
For further information, please contact:
Dean C. Alexander, J.D., LL.M.
Director, Homeland Security Research Program
Associate Professor, Homeland Security
School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration
Western Illinois University
Stipes Hall 403H
1 University Circle
Macomb, Illinois 61455 USA
Tel: (309) 298-2120
Fax: (309) 298-2187
E-mail: DC-Alexander@wiu.edu
