On December 19, the Center for Homeland Defense and Security Master’s cohort 2401/2402 marked the end of 18 months of demanding study, research, and collaboration in a graduation ceremony that recognized their hard work and contributions to responding to today’s complex homeland defense and security challenges.
Each graduate completed a thesis addressing a real homeland security problem. These projects required analytical rigor and solutions that agencies can apply in practice. Among them, Commander Lisa Woodman, Prevention Department Head for the U.S. Coast Guard, received the Outstanding Thesis Award for her research using network science to analyze global shipping and maritime trade flows. Her work demonstrated how understanding system‑level patterns can strengthen maritime security.
“This program broadened my perspective beyond engineering and gave me tools to solve complex problems,” Woodman said. “The best part was learning from everyone—this is how we build a stronger homeland security enterprise.”
Leadership within the cohort was also recognized. The Mark Carr Leadership Award went to two students: Paul Miano, Chief of Emergency Medical Service with the Fire Department of New York, and Jennifer Maravillas, Captain with the San Mateo Police Department. Both were selected for consistently supporting classmates and contributing to a collaborative learning environment.
For Maravillas, the award reflected the relationships built over the course of the program. “This award means so much because it’s about human connection,” she said. “CHDS isn’t just academics—it’s relationships. I couldn’t have gotten through without this cohort. These people will be in my life forever.”
This year’s Curtis “Butch” Straub Award went to Bradley Robertson, Detective Sergeant with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office. Known by his peers for steady teamwork and reliability, Robertson said the Master’s Program pushed him further than any previous academic experience.
“The learning curve was exponential,” he said. “It’s a work‑hard, play‑hard environment, but the knowledge gained from instructors to the classmates is unmatched. Everyone works full‑time and has families. Leadership here is about lifting each other up.”
Across the board, graduates described the program as demanding but practical. The curriculum is built around applied problem‑solving, policy analysis, and organizational leadership—skills they will use immediately in their agencies. Many noted that the most valuable part of the program came from the cohort itself: a mix of federal, state, local, and military professionals who brought diverse perspectives and real‑world experience to every discussion.
Graduates leave with new tools, broader networks, and a clearer understanding of how to lead change. The impact of their work extends beyond their individual agencies; CHDS alumni routinely collaborate across jurisdictions to address complex, evolving threats.
For cohort 2401/2402, graduation marks the end of coursework but the beginning of applying their research and experience to improve the homeland security enterprise.
Master’s Program 2401/2402 participants:
- Meredith Albert – Emergency Manager, City of Santa Cruz – Santa Cruz, CA
- Diane Berringer – Assistant Supervisory Air Marshal in Charge, Transportation Security Administration Law Enforcement/Federal Air Mar – New York, NY
- Jacob Black – Fire Chief, Santa Fe County Fire Department- Santa Fe, NM
- Jordan Cahoon – Epidemiologist, Maryland Department of Health – Baltimore, MD
- Christopher Capone – Detective, New York City Police Department – New York, NY
- Leeani Capote – Detective, New York City Police Department – New York, NY
- Creighton Cong – Chief of Inspections, United States Coast Guard – Honolulu, HI
- Nathaniel Clinger- International Port Security Liaison, United States Coast Guard – APO, AE
- Cory DeBaere – Division Chief, Denver Fire Department – Denver, CO
- Brianna Eamons – Management Program Analyst, U.S. Customs and Border Protection – Seatac, WA
- Caitlin Elling – Program Analyst – FEMA – Washington D.C.
- Kenneth Hall – Staff Attorney – United States Coast Guard – Mountain View, CA
- Matthew James – Police Staff Inspector, Philadelphia Police Department – Philadelphia, PA
- Kyle Kovacs – Fire Officer, Teaneck Fire Department – Garfield City, NJ
- John Lecrivain – Captain, Los Angeles County Sheriff Dept – Santa Clarita, CA
- Steven Lozano – Deputy Fire Chief, San Diego Fire Rescue Department – San Diego, CA
- Jennifer Maravillas – Captain, San Mateo Police – San Mateo, CA
- Paul Miano – Chief of Emergency Medical Service, Fire Department of New York – Hazlet, NJ
- Jennifer Pearsall – Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) – Operations Section, FEMA – New York, NY
- Timothy Robb – Director of Strategic Initiatives / Homeland Security Advisor, State of Nevada – Governor’s Office – Reno, NV
- Brad Robertson – Detective Sergeant, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office – Portland, OR
- Eugene Saladis – Captain, Fire Department of New York – Staten Island, NY
- Austin Seely – Emergency Management Director, Dallas County Emergency Management Agency – Waukee, IA
- Melanie Simmons – Statistician, Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Brentwood, CA
- Patrick Stueve – Arson Investigator, Oakland Fire Department – Oakland, CA
- Kathryn Taylor – Program Analyst, FEMA – Washington, D.C.
- Jason Warnken – Battalion Chief, Fire Department City of New York – Middletown, NY
- Jim Whitney – Deputy Fire Chief, City of Redmond Fire Department – Redmond, WA
- Lisa Woodman – Prevention Department Head, United States Coast Guard – Nederland, TX
- Dianna Woodward – Professional Standards Division Operations Sergeant, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department- Los Angeles, CA
- Jesse Yarbrough – Chief, Louisville Metro Emergency Medical Services – Louisville, KY
