January 26, 2011

CHDS Alumnus McDaniel Slated as Featured Speaker for ELP Class

MONTEREY, Calif. - Brigadier General Michael McDaniel, an alumnus of the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS), will return to campus Feb. 10 as a guest lecturer for the Center's Executive Leaders Program (ELP).

His presentation is titled "Leadership in Homeland Security" and is scheduled from 1-3 p.m. in Watkins Hall.

The Executive Leaders Program, one of a cadre of CHDS programs, is designed for senior government and private-sector leaders to attain a graduate-level style education in homeland security. Classes are held on campus during four one-week sessions over a nine-month period. The instruction is a combination of presentations and facilitated discussion between faculty, participants and subject matter experts.

"We are honored to have Mike speak to our Homeland Security Executive Leaders," said Ellen Gordon, CHDS Associate Director of Executive Education Programs. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership experience to our classroom in which the participants will provide an opportunity to benefit from what he will share."

McDaniel has the professional as well as the academic background to offer expert insight. He is currently Director of the Homeland Security Law Program and Associate Professor of Constitutional Law at Thomas M. Cooley Law School Michigan.

Prior to joining the Cooley Law School Faculty, McDaniel served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense at the U.S. Department of Defense.

Before working at DOD, McDaniel served in a variety of roles in the state of Michigan, including a stint as Assistant Adjutant General for Homeland Security with the Michigan National Guard as well as Advisor on Homeland Security to that state’s governor. He was the liaison between the Governor's Office and all federal, state and local agencies on homeland security. He also was responsible for developing statewide policy on homeland security preparedness and for coordinating the development of plans and training for homeland security on a statewide basis.  His duties included coordinating efforts to protect the state and its critical infrastructure from terrorist attacks, to ensure all state agencies have interoperable information technology and communications systems, and to prepare for, prevent, and mitigate the consequences of terrorist threats or attacks. McDaniel is also a former Assistant Attorney General for Litigation, in the Executive Division of the Michigan Department of Attorney General.

ABOUT CHDS: Established in 2002 and located at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), The Center for Homeland Defense and Security is the nation’s homeland security educator. Master's degree students develop critical thinking, leadership and policy skills during a rigorous 18-month program. Each graduate completes a thesis on a current issue facing his/her jurisdiction. These theses often translate into policy and practice. The Center has developed a cadre of education programs and resources which are shared with other academic institutions around the country as part of its University and Agency Partnership Initiative (UAPI). The CHDS is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), National Preparedness Directorate, within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). For information, visit www.chds.us.

ABOUT NPS: The mission of the Naval Postgraduate School is to provide unique advanced education and research programs in order to increase the combat effectiveness of the U.S. and Allied armed forces as well as enhance the security of the United States. For information, visit www.nps.edu.