Homeland Security and Corporate Security Experts Part of WIU LEJA Class
MACOMB/Moline, IL – As insurgents, fringe groups and extremists continue to grow in numbers, particularly in the United States, one Western Illinois University law enforcement and justice administration professor is bringing the experts to his students, and to others beyond WIU, to gain a better understanding and awareness of groups, platforms and issues that can pose threats to public safety, such as the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection.
Dean Alexander, who is recognized internationally as a terrorism expert, has been a member of the WIU School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration (LEJA) faculty since 2005, and is the founder and director of the Homeland Security Research Program (HSRP) within the school. He also heads the homeland security minor within LEJA. This semester, Alexander will host a series of Zoom webinars for LEJA students and others on the WIU campus, as well those members of the general public and other agencies who are interested in learning more about extremist groups and movements.
To take part, visit bit.ly/WIUHSRPLectureFall21. The online presentations, which are part of HSRP’s annual Homeland Security Lecture Series, will be held:
Thursday, Sept. 23, 12:30-1:45 p.m.: Senior Analyst – Compliance (QA/Oversight) Enterprise Fraud, Security and Investigations at a financial institution
Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2-3:15 p.m.: Supervisory Intelligence Analyst – Intelligence Program Coordinator, FBI
Thursday, Sept. 30, 12:30-1:45 p.m.: Vice President of Financial Investigations at cryptocurrency intelligence company
Thursday, Oct. 14, 2-3:15 p.m.: Former police department detective assigned to a FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2-3:15 p.m.: Foreign Affairs Officer, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, U.S. State Department
Thursday, Nov. 4, 12:30-1:45 p.m.: Senior Director, Global Security Services, Fortune 500 company
Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2-3:15 p.m.: Special Agent, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
“The caliber of these individuals who have agreed to speak to my classes is just outstanding. They will provide a real-world, first-hand account of their jobs, trends and more,” Alexander noted. “These are just a small part of the incredible opportunities our students have at Western, particularly within our strong homeland security minor and the School of LEJA.”
Western’s graduate program in law enforcement now also includes two new courses on terrorism and extremism: Terrorism and the Internet as well as Hate Crime Investigations and Prosecutions.
Alexander’s former students work at police departments, 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 on the Homeland Security Research Program and the homeland security minor, contact Alexander at DC-Alexander@wiu.edu.
