School of Public Service Advisory Board

The National University School of Public Service Advisory Board was established to help ensure our programs continue to reflect the evolving needs of today’s public service workforce. Their insight helps ensure our curriculum remains relevant, practical, and aligned with the expectations students will encounter in real-world public service careers.

Through this advisory board, industry expertise is integrated directly into our curriculum review process. Board members provide valuable perspective on emerging trends, workforce demands, and the knowledge, skills, and abilities students need to succeed in public service roles. Their guidance helps ensure that graduates are not only academically prepared but also equipped with the practical competencies needed to serve their communities and advance within the field.

Vice Admiral Joanna Nunan

Former Superintendent, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy



Vice Admiral Joanna Nunan

Former Superintendent , U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

Vice Admiral Joanna Nunan is a trailblazing leader and the first woman to serve as Superintendent of a U.S. national service academy. She brings extensive expertise in federal homeland security policy, the Incident Command System, and intergovernmental coordination across federal, state, and local agencies. Her distinguished career includes service on the personal staff of both the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Transportation. During her tenure at Kings Point, Vice Admiral Nunan secured a landmark ten-year interagency agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to modernize the Academy’s 82-year-old campus. She also led the development and approval of a comprehensive ten-year Long Range Master Facilities Plan, endorsed by the Secretary of Transportation, to guide future infrastructure improvements. Before entering the ranks of higher education, Dean Hutton practiced civil litigation in Oakland, California and currently serves as the Regional Vice President for NU Northern California.

Captain Drew Tucci

Former Chief, Office of Port and Facility Compliance, U.S. Coast Guard



Captain Drew Tucci

Former Chief, Office of Port and Facility Compliance, U.S. Coast Guard

Captain Drew Tucci is a recognized expert in coordinated disaster response, maritime security, and cyber policy. As Chief of the Office of Port and Facility Compliance for four years, he oversaw implementation of the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) regulations for facilities and directed policies related to TWIC, Area Maritime Security Committees, and Area Maritime Security Plans—programs critical to the safety, security, and resilience of U.S. port facilities. Captain Tucci was a primary co-author of the U.S. Coast Guard Cyber Strategy and pioneered cybersecurity policies for the maritime industry. Internationally, he led the U.S. delegation to the Facilitation Committee at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London and represented the United States at multiple sessions of the Marine Safety Committee. He also contributed to global security research as a co-author of a Chatham House study on chokepoints and risks to the global food trade, underscoring his expertise in maritime resilience and international policy.

Fred Roberts

Director, DHS Center of Excellence, Rutgers University



Fred Roberts

Director, DHS Center of Excellence, Rutgers University

Dr. Roberts is a leading authority in homeland security, specializing in data analytics, command and control systems, and risk analysis. He serves as Director of the DHS Center of Excellence, CCICADA, where he advances research in interoperability and data-driven decision-making. His expertise has been sought by major organizations, including the National Football League, where he consulted on event security. Dr. Roberts has briefed Congress on critical homeland security issues and is widely recognized for his scholarly contributions. He is the author of four books, editor of 25 volumes, and has published more than 210 scientific articles. His research spans a broad range of topics, including homeland security, mathematical modeling in social, biological, environmental, and epidemiological sciences, as well as challenges in communication, transportation, and security. Additional areas of focus include decision-making and social choice theory, sustainability, measurement theory, socially responsible algorithms, data science, combinatorics and graph theory applications, and precollege education.

Scott Blough

Strategic Consulting Manager and Principal Cyber Security, Google



Scott Blough

Strategic Consulting Manager and Principal Cyber Security, Google

Scott Blough is a nationally recognized expert in cybersecurity and digital forensics, currently serving as Strategic Consulting Manager and Principal Cyber Security at Google. In this role, he leads initiatives focused on cybersecurity resilience and incident response, bringing exceptional expertise in homeland security issues that intersect with nearly every area of strategic operations. Previously, Scott served as Chief Information Security Officer and Executive Director of the Center for Cyber Defense & Forensics at Tiffin University, where he advanced research and education in cybersecurity. His career includes extensive collaboration with federal, state, local, and industry partners on homeland security and cybersecurity challenges. Earlier in his career, Scott served as a Sheriff in Ohio, providing him with a unique perspective on law enforcement and public safety that informs his approach to cybersecurity leadership. Chief Sierzega is also highly skilled in the Incident Command System, public administration, and interagency coordination, making her a trusted authority in complex emergency response environments. Her groundbreaking achievements have been featured in national publications, including Her Fire Burns Blue by Argonne National Laboratory. See this article: https://www.anl.gov/article/her-fire-burns-blue

Edward Westfall

Former Deputy Director, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services



Edward Westfall

Former Deputy Director , California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services

Edward is an accomplished emergency management leader with extensive expertise in public administration, incident response, and organizational leadership. As Deputy Director for Response Operations at Cal OES, he oversaw statewide emergency management functions, including regional operations, law enforcement coordination, fire and rescue services, the State Operations Center, and the California State Warning Center. Previously, Edward served as the Coastal Region Administrator for Cal OES, providing comprehensive emergency management support to coastal counties and local governments from Big Sur to the Oregon border. His career reflects a deep commitment to enhancing statewide preparedness and response capabilities through strategic leadership and interagency collaboration.

Andre Wilson

Senior Director – Indo-Pacific, Programs for Premise, Washington D.C.



Andre Wilson

Senior Director – Indo-Pacific, Programs for Premise, Washington D.C.

Andre is a seasoned national security leader with nearly 30 years of international experience shaping intelligence and security policy across more than 25 countries. He has managed budgets exceeding $18 billion and is recognized for his ability to align people, policy, and technology to accelerate C-suite vision and organizational transformation. His career includes senior roles such as Director of Intelligence, Risk Strategist, Chief of Staff, Director of Innovation, and Technology Advisor, where he successfully built and led cross-functional teams in complex global environments. He has held staff positions at the highest levels of national security, demonstrating a proven track record of strategic leadership and operational excellence.

Rachell Sierzega

Student Representative, National University



Rachell Sierzega

Student Representative, National University

Chief Rachell Sierzega is a pioneering leader and the first female Fire Battalion Chief at Argonne National Laboratory. She brings extensive expertise in homeland security and emergency management, with specialized knowledge in hazardous materials response and firefighting operations. Chief Sierzega is also highly skilled in the Incident Command System, public administration, and interagency coordination, making her a trusted authority in complex emergency response environments. Her groundbreaking achievements have been featured in national publications, including Her Fire Burns Blue by Argonne National Laboratory. See this article: https://www.anl.gov/article/her-fire-burns-blue

Nicole J. Jones

Chief Development and Innovation Director, AmPac Capital (SBA Lender) in Ontario, CA



Nicole J. Jones

Chief Development and Innovation Director, AmPac Capital (SBA Lender) in Ontario, CA

Dr. Nicole J. Jones serves as Chief Development and Innovation Director at AmPac Capital, where she leads strategic partnerships and drives innovative initiatives to support small business growth. She holds a Doctorate in Public Administration and a Master of Public Administration (MPA), with an undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Jones brings extensive expertise in public administration, leveraging her academic and professional background to advance organizational development and strategic collaboration.

Lieutenant Dalin Webb

Phoenix Police Department, Office of the Chief



Lieutenant Dalin Webb

Phoenix Police Department, Office of the Chief

Lieutenant Dalin Webb is a veteran law enforcement leader with over 29 years of service in the Phoenix Police Department. His career spans a wide range of assignments, including patrol, Field Training Officer, School Resource Officer, and detective roles in Financial Crimes and Special Investigations. As a sergeant, he oversaw programs within the Community Relations Bureau, including Police Explorers, Cadets, volunteers, and the School Resource Officer program. He also led teams in the Major Offender Bureau, managing surveillance and warrant interdiction squads. In his current rank, Lieutenant Webb has held leadership positions in patrol, the Property Crimes Bureau (Technical Investigations Unit), the Violent Crimes Bureau (Robbery Unit), the Organizational Integrity Bureau, and the Office of the Police Chief. In addition to his law enforcement career, Lieutenant Webb has taught Criminal Justice courses at the university level for 13 years, specializing in Criminal Justice Ethics. He also teaches ethics at the Phoenix Regional Police Academy, reinforcing his commitment to integrity and professional standards in policing.

Krista Placko

Forensic Services Manager, Mesa Forensic Services



Krista Placko

Forensic Services Manager, Mesa Forensic Services

Krista Placko is the Forensic Services Manager for the City of Mesa Crime Laboratory, where she oversees all laboratory operations, including multiple forensic units. She began her career with the Mesa Police Department in 1996 as a Forensic Services Laboratory Technician and was promoted to Forensic Scientist in 1998, specializing in controlled substances, serology, DNA analysis, and bloodstain pattern interpretation. In 2012, Krista advanced to Forensic Scientist Supervisor, leading the Biology Unit. Since 2023, she has served as Acting Forensic Services Manager, providing strategic leadership and operational oversight to ensure the highest standards of forensic science and public safety.

Justin Russell

Executive Director, Council on International Mediation



Justin Russell

Executive Director, Council on International Mediation

Justin Russell has over three decades of experience in international diplomacy and mediation, distinguished by his ability to transform complex global challenges into actionable strategies that foster cooperation and stability. He possesses deep expertise in Middle East policy and has worked extensively with U.S. legislative institutions and leading think tanks on issues of diplomacy and regional security. His practical policy experience is complemented by leadership roles in the non-profit sector, including at the Global Center for Foreign Policy and the New York Center for Foreign Policy Affairs, where he advanced research and dialogue on critical international issues. Mr. Russell’s expertise includes bridging national security mandates with international cooperation. In senior roles with Fortune 500 companies, he managed global initiatives and developed policies requiring close coordination among technology sectors, government agencies, and international partners. His proven ability to build consensus within and across complex bureaucratic structures is underscored by a strong track record of collaboration with U.S. government agencies and international NGOs.

Joseph Charlot

Student Representative, National University



Joseph Charlot

Student Representative, National University

Joseph Romeo Valdez Charlot is a student representative who is currently pursuing his Doctor of Criminal Justice at National University. Joseph spent six years in the United States Air Force as Security Forces (Military Police). Four of those years were active duty where he worked patrol, nuclear arms security, and as a law enforcement dispatcher. His other two years were as a reservist in California. Joseph has been an officer with the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) for 9 years where he has worked patrol and multiple specialized, multi-agency undercover teams as an officer, detective, and supervisor. He is currently a Detective Sergeant with the San Diego Police Department. Joseph has an associate’s degree in criminal justice with the Community College of the Air Force, as well as a bachelor’s in criminal justice and master’s in organizational leadership with National University.

Wilson Edgell

Director of Human Resources, City of North Las Vegas



Wilson Edgell

Director of Human Resources, City of North Las Vegas

Wilson A. Edgell serves as the Director of Human Resources for the City of North Las Vegas, overseeing department operations and leading the city’s human resources programs. He joined the organization in 2020 as a Labor and Employee Relations specialist, working closely with Management and Union partners and serving as Chief Negotiator for nine Collective Bargaining Agreements. Before joining the city, Wilson worked for MGM Resorts International as a Labor Relations Partner, advising on contract administration and collective bargaining. He also held roles as Senior Consultant for Organizational Development and Manager of Diversity and Disability Outreach. Wilson previously served 27 years in the United States Air Force, retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant. His final assignment was as Chief Enlisted Manager for the 432d Maintenance Group at Creech Air Force Base, where he supported more than 1,000 military and contractor personnel. His service included nine assignments, a tour in Korea, and deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He holds a bachelor’s degree in human resources from Park University and a master’s degree in management from Troy University, along with certifications in Labor Relations and HighPerformance Leadership.