University News

Homeland Security and Corporate Security Experts Part of WIU LEJA Classes

September 6, 2022

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MACOMB, IL – A Western Illinois University Law Enforcement and Justice Administration Professor and internationally-recognized terrorism expert is once again bringing a series of terrorism and security-related speakers to his Fall 2022 classes. These speakers will provide a variety of insights to students, which will help them better understand homeland security, terrorism and security topics facing society.

Professor Dean Alexander is teaching: LEJA 332 (Terror Finance), LEJA 416G (Terrorism and Law Enforcement), LEJA 414G (Legal Aspects of Homeland Security and Terrorism), and LEJA 516 (Homeland Security Investigations and Prosecutions) this semester. His guest speakers are part of LEJA's Homeland Security Research Program's lecture series.

This semester's eight guest speakers include:

• Sept. 6 – Senior Director, Global Security Services, AON

• Sept. 15 – Senior Policy Analyst, DHS Office of Strategy, Policy and Plans - Division of Infrastructure, Risk and Resilience

• Oct. 4 – Master Sergeant, Illinois State Police and JTTF Supervisor, FBI Chicago JTTF

• Oct. 13 – Chief Intelligence Officer, Illinois State Police

• Oct. 27 – Director, Strategic Client Relations, Federal Law Enforcement, LexisNexis Special Services, Inc.

• Nov. 1 – Senior Representative, Audit and Investigations, Binance (largest digital asset exchange)

• Nov. 3 – LEJA 416 – Research Fellow, Georgia State University

• Nov. 10 – LEJA 332 – Revenue Senior Special Agent, Criminal Investigations Division, Illinois Revenue Service

"In this increasingly caustic and challenging security and political climate, exposure to such expertise is necessary and timely," said Alexander. "Additionally, students may pursue internships and jobs with some of the entities associated with the speakers. This is just a small part of the incredible opportunities our students have at Western, particularly within our strong homeland security minor, comprising over 90 students, and the School of LEJA."

Alexander's former students work at police departments/fusion centers, government agencies (FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and State Department) and risk management firms across the United States. His teaching, research and speaking activities encompass terrorism, security and legal issues, and he has lectured in 10 countries, including to law enforcement and military officials. Since publishing on terrorism in 1991, Alexander has written several books on the subject, including: Family Terror Networks (2019), The Islamic State: Combating the Caliphate Without Borders (Lexington, 2015), Business Confronts Terrorism: Risks and Responses (University of Wisconsin Press, 2004), and Terrorism and Business: The Impact of September 11, 2001 (Transnational, 2002).

For more information about WIU's LEJA program, visit wiu.edu/LEJA.


Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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