Dr. Emma Garrison-Alexander
The Graduate School, UMUC
Vice Dean, Cyber Security & Information Assurance Department
Dr. Emma Garrison-Alexander serves as the Vice Dean of the Cybersecurity and Information Assurance Department in the graduate school at the University of Maryland University College (UMUC). She oversees the Cybersecurity Technology Program; the Cybersecurity Management and Policy Program; the Digital Forensics and Cyber Investigation Program; and the Information Assurance Program. Prior to this position, she was the Program Chair of the Cybersecurity Technology Program, Assistant Collegiate Professor, and adjunct faculty within the department.
Previously, she served as the Assistant Administrator for Information Technology (IT) and Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). She led TSA's IT organization with an annual budget responsibility of more than $450 million. She provided all aspects of IT services for over 60,000 employees at 450 federalized airports and 23 international locations. She was responsible for all aspect of cybersecurity and information assurance, application development, infrastructure engineering, business management, financial planning and budget execution, and strategic planning. She was an integral part of the TSA Senior Leadership Team. She also played a key leadership role as a part of the Department of Homeland Security Chief Information Officer Council.
Prior to TSA, Dr. Garrison-Alexander served 25 years with the National Security Agency (NSA)/Department of Defense, starting as an Electronic Engineer and holding leadership positions in Technology and Systems, Signals Intelligence, Information Assurance, and Research & Development. She served as the Deputy Counterterrorism and as a Senior Operations Officer. She worked with all military services: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Special Forces. She was a part of the Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service (SES).
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, a Masters of Science in Telecommunications Management and a Doctor of Management -Technology and Information Systems track.
Awards & Recognition:
• Distinguished Alumni Award - Herff College of Engineering - University of Memphis - 2015
• Distinguished Alumni Award - University of Maryland University College - 2012
• Sterling Leadership Award - Information Technology Senior Management Forum (ITSMF) - 2011
• Government Information Security Leadership Award - (ISC)2 - 2011
• Excellence Award - American Council for Technology and Industry Advisory Council (ACT-IAC) - 2011
Speeches and Interviews:
Highly sought after speaker within the Chief Information Officer, information technology, cybersecurity and leadership venues:
• Radio Interviews: Federal News Radio (Ask the CIO), Federal News Radio (Fed Insider), Federal News Radio (Telework Panel), etc.
• Magazine Interviews: Diversity/Careers in Engineering and IT, FedScoop Interview, FedTech Magazine (Mobility), etc.
• Speaking Engagements: AFCEA DHS Panel, Women in Homeland Security Panel, Cyber Resilience for National Security, FedScoop McAfee Public Sector Summit Panel, US TRANSCOM, Cyber Security Summit Panel; IDGA Cyber Security Summit Panel; USDA Cyber Conference Panel.; Hackers Halted; Cool Careers for Girls in Cybersecurity, etc.
Previously, she served as the Assistant Administrator for Information Technology (IT) and Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). She led TSA's IT organization with an annual budget responsibility of more than $450 million. She provided all aspects of IT services for over 60,000 employees at 450 federalized airports and 23 international locations. She was responsible for all aspect of cybersecurity and information assurance, application development, infrastructure engineering, business management, financial planning and budget execution, and strategic planning. She was an integral part of the TSA Senior Leadership Team. She also played a key leadership role as a part of the Department of Homeland Security Chief Information Officer Council.
Prior to TSA, Dr. Garrison-Alexander served 25 years with the National Security Agency (NSA)/Department of Defense, starting as an Electronic Engineer and holding leadership positions in Technology and Systems, Signals Intelligence, Information Assurance, and Research & Development. She served as the Deputy Counterterrorism and as a Senior Operations Officer. She worked with all military services: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Special Forces. She was a part of the Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service (SES).
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, a Masters of Science in Telecommunications Management and a Doctor of Management -Technology and Information Systems track.
Awards & Recognition:
• Distinguished Alumni Award - Herff College of Engineering - University of Memphis - 2015
• Distinguished Alumni Award - University of Maryland University College - 2012
• Sterling Leadership Award - Information Technology Senior Management Forum (ITSMF) - 2011
• Government Information Security Leadership Award - (ISC)2 - 2011
• Excellence Award - American Council for Technology and Industry Advisory Council (ACT-IAC) - 2011
Speeches and Interviews:
Highly sought after speaker within the Chief Information Officer, information technology, cybersecurity and leadership venues:
• Radio Interviews: Federal News Radio (Ask the CIO), Federal News Radio (Fed Insider), Federal News Radio (Telework Panel), etc.
• Magazine Interviews: Diversity/Careers in Engineering and IT, FedScoop Interview, FedTech Magazine (Mobility), etc.
• Speaking Engagements: AFCEA DHS Panel, Women in Homeland Security Panel, Cyber Resilience for National Security, FedScoop McAfee Public Sector Summit Panel, US TRANSCOM, Cyber Security Summit Panel; IDGA Cyber Security Summit Panel; USDA Cyber Conference Panel.; Hackers Halted; Cool Careers for Girls in Cybersecurity, etc.