The President of Bennett College has been appointed to the Homeland Security Academic Partnership Council (HSAPC). Suzanne Walsh will advise the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro N. Mayorkas, on improving the standards and safety of educational institutions.
As national threats emerge, Walsh and the other prominent leaders appointed to the council will provide vital insight. The group will provide counsel on how to facilitate and coordinate the best possible course of action to prioritize faculty and students’ safety and wellness. Walsh will help represent HBCUs, including her all-women institution, with her recommendations to shape current educational policy.
According to Black Enterprise, the HSAPC was reinstated in 2022 and will include new members. It will be a diverse cohort of academic leaders from various institutions such as HBCUs, Tribal colleges, community colleges, and more. As of now, it consists of 20 members.
Secretary Mayorkas announced the new group’s plans and future contributions to the advancement and security of higher education.
“Leaders of our academic institutions and campus life have a great deal to offer in helping us counter the evolving and emerging threats to the homeland,” said DHS Official. “The Homeland Security Academic Partnership Council’s insights into strategic research, innovation, career development, and partnership opportunities for the Department will support our mission to safeguard the American people and help our country think through and prepare for whatever threats lie ahead.”
The group’s recommendations will go toward emergency management and preparedness measures, communications regarding actionable threats to all necessary parties, and career readiness in a contemporary workforce for graduating students. Furthermore, the members will assist in further developing research opportunities for academic hubs such as the DHS Science and Technology Centers of Excellence.
Walsh’s future tasks in the council will be documented in the Federal Register after the Council holds its first public meeting in the upcoming weeks.