Rise in domestic violent extremism, volatile weather events, misinformation and disinformation, and cyber events are a few homeland security challenges addressed during the 9th Annual Homeland Security Undergraduate Research Showcase. Students, faculty, staff, and guests gathered on April 13, 2023, in the EKU Stratton Building for this annual event to share scholarship on these complex problems and ways communities are dealing with them.

The event included a poster session during which 35 students presented their research on topics spanning the categories of international security and terrorism studies, domestic security studies, and disaster studies. Judges representing a diverse group of professionals identified the following top performers in each of the categories:

• Shawn Blackburn – International Security and Terrorism Studies Category – Poster Topic: 9/11 & Benghazi Intelligence Failures: Analyzing Intelligence Failures to Further Protect the Homeland
• Taylor Brock – Domestic Security Studies Category – Poster Topic: Parental Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material on Social Media
• Lauryn McArthur – Disaster Studies Category – Poster Topic:
  Incorporation of Access and Functional Needs in Disaster Management

These students earned financial scholarship awards for excellence in undergraduate research. According to Dr. Chad Foster, associate professor and program coordinator, “student research is a demonstration of many professional skills such as information literacy and critical thinking…plus, homeland security professionals continue to encounter evolving threats and complexities that require thoughtful analysis–the kind that we aim to instill in students here at EKU.”

Also, faculty recognized Kristen Spires and Lauryn McArthur as recipients of the Homeland Security Outstanding Senior Award.

Mr. Chad Carrol–Chief Security Director, Office of Safety, Security and Protection with the U.S. Department of Agriculture–provided the keynote address and discussed the federal government threat landscape and evolving trends. Mr. Carroll has more than 29 years of state and federal law enforcement experience and has served and experienced most all facets of law enforcement, security, and emergency management. Mr. Carroll earned a baccalaureate degree from EKU where he majored in Police Administration and minored in Asset Protection and Security.
Published May 25, 2023