Chancellor Syverud Appointed to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council

Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud has been appointed to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Academic Advisory Council (HSAAC). The Chancellor’s appointment was announced yesterday by DHS Secretary Jeh C. Johnson, who administered the oath and swore Chancellor Syverud into the council yesterday during a council meeting in Washington. Chancellor Syverud joins other academic leaders in advising Homeland Security on matters related to homeland security, career opportunities for graduates, campus resilience and academic research.

“I am honored to be a part of the effort to strengthen the bridge between academia and homeland security interests and needs,” says Syverud. “I look forward to working with Secretary Johnson and my colleagues on the council to help create new opportunities for college graduates and others to build careers in public service.”

Syverud was among eight new members, sworn in yesterday by Secretary Johnson, including:

• Eric Barron, President, Pennsylvania State University
• Bruce Benson, President, University of Colorado
• Renu Khator, Chancellor and President, University of Houston
• Carol Leary, President, Bay Path University
• David Pershing, President, University of Utah
• Robert Scott, President Emeritus, Adelphi University
• Michael Young, President, Texas A&M University

According to Secretary Johnson, each appointee “brings to the council a uniquely qualified expertise on the challenges facing our campuses and the intersections between academia and the mission of DHS.”  The council’s recommendations over the past years have contributed to a variety of initiatives to enhance DHS’s engagement with the international student community; improve college and university emergency preparedness; increase outreach to students, faculty and schools; and develop future cybersecurity workforce leaders.

At its meeting this week, HSAAC created the Academic Subcommittee on Countering Violent Extremism to further DHS’s security and resilience efforts. Trent Frazier, executive director of the Office of Academic Engagement (OAE), celebrated the Chancellor’s appointment: “What Chancellor Syverud brings is not only a deep understanding of the issues facing our campuses but also a firm grasp of the mission of DHS through his work at Syracuse University,” Frazier said. “DHS and OAE are excited to work with him.”

Chancellor Syverud will serve a three-year term on the council and will help support the HSAAC through its subcommittees on campus resilience, cybersecurity, international students, homeland security academic programs, academic research and faculty exchange, and student and recent graduate recruitment.

In support of the HSAAC, the council members will work with the Office of Academic Engagement to help guide implementation of recommendations designed to further DHS’s mission. OAE has led the implementation of over 78 percent of all HSAAC recommendations at DHS. The creation of a new OAE Campus Resilience webpage and support of the National Seminar and Tabletop Exercise Series, highlight the value of the HSAAC and its alignment with DHS objectives.