Former Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano Visits Belmont

[Published by Belmont University, Jun 26, 2019 [Here]]

Janet Napolitano, President of the University of California and DHS Secretary from 2009-2013 visited Belmont University’s campus on June 24th while in Nashville to talk about her new book, “How Safe Are We: Homeland Security Since 9/11.”

Napolitano was invited to speak with the “Global Tennessee” Podcast by Belmont campus partner Tennessee World Affairs Council. She spoke about the work of DHS in the aftermath of the attacks of 9/11 and specifically about the challenges she faced during the first term of the President Obama Administration according to Council President Patrick Ryan.

“She described the scope of the Homeland Security Secretary’s responsibilities – running the third largest U.S. government organization behind the Pentagon and the VA,” said Ryan. Napolitano talked about aviation security measures that were needed, natural disasters that struck, pandemic outbreaks like H1N1; terrorist attacks like the Times Square and Boston Marathon bombers and the challenge of cyber threats to U.S. infrastructure. “Secretary Napolitano went into detail about immigration, refugees and the situation at the southern border – something she’s very familiar with as former two-term Governor of Arizona.”

The Global Tennessee Podcast concluded with Napolitano providing insights and perspective on the foreign cyber threat to U.S. elections, existential threats posed by nuclear weapons and climate change and “Black Swans” – the low probability, high impact phenomena that DHS must be ready to address.

The Podcast is available on the Tennessee World Affairs Council web site.

The Tennessee World Affairs Council, a nonpartisan educational nonprofit and Belmont University have partnered on global affairs awareness programs since 2009 including numerous speaking programs with ambassadors, business leaders and other specialists. The Council, with offices in Fidelity Hall, offers town halls and other programs on campus and free membership to Belmont students and faculty. It welcomes Belmont students to become involved through internships and volunteer support. Contact Patrick Ryan (pat@tnwac.org) for details.

---

THANKS TO BELMONT UNIVERSITY’S CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

THANKS TO THE NASHVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COUNCIL

---

THANKS TO THE TNWAC WEEKLY QUIZ PARTNERS

---

Mission

The mission of the nonprofit, nonpartisan Tennessee World Affairs Council is to promote international awareness, understanding and connections to enhance the region’s global stature and to prepare Tennesseans to thrive in our increasingly complex and connected world.

Vision

A well-informed community that thinks critically about the world and the impact of global events.   

Join / Donate/ Volunteer

The Tennessee World Affairs Council is a 5o1c3 tax exempt organization. All gifts are tax deductible to the full extent of IRS regulations.

Be A Stakeholder In Promoting Global Literacy