Carnegie Mellon president, chair of Pa. university system named to Homeland Security panel

Carnegie Mellon University’s president and the Fox Chapel-based board chair of Pennsylvania’s state-owned university system have been added to an advisory council to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Farnam Jahanian from CMU and Cynthia Shapira from the State System Higher Education’s board of governors are among 20 additions announced in Washington by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas.

The 30-member Homeland Security Academic Partnership Council advises the Secretary on matters including campus safety and security, improved coordination, research priorities and hiring, the agency said Wednesday. Mayorkas reconstituted the panel in 2022.

“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,” Mayorkas said a statement.

Mayorkas said the 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 council also is charged with offering advice and recommendations regarding “prevention, response, mitigation, recovery and other emergency management and preparedness measures.”