Janet Napolitano

Janet Napolitano is a Professor of Public Policy at UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy, Founder and Faculty Director of the Institute for Security and Governance, and President of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation.

A distinguished public servant, Napolitano served as the president of the University of California from 2013 to 2020, as the US Secretary of Homeland Security from 2009 to 2013, as Governor of Arizona from 2003 to 2009, as Attorney General of Arizona from 1998 to 2003, and as US Attorney for the District of Arizona from 1993 to 1997. She earned her BS degree (summa cum laude in Political Science) in 1979 from Santa Clara University, where she was a Truman Scholar, and the university’s first female valedictorian. She received her law degree in 1983 from the University of Virginia School of Law.

As Secretary of Homeland Security, she led the nation’s efforts to prevent terrorist attacks, secure its borders, respond to natural disasters, and build domestic resiliency. She oversaw critical enhancements to aviation security, including initiatives like the creation of TSA Pre✓® that bolster security while improving the travel experience. Through the expansion of programs like Global Entry and pre-clearance, the Department extended our security perimeter beyond our borders, helping to identify threats before they depart for the U.S. The Department also significantly enhanced its readiness to meet and combat evolving cyber threats. During her time as Secretary, she also spearheaded the creation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative, creating hope and relief for thousands of undocumented young people across the nation. She was the first woman and is to date the longest-serving Secretary of Homeland Security. Under her leadership, the Department transformed its security capabilities, becoming a more efficient, cohesive and effective organization.

As UC President, she was a steadfast advocate for California students, working to stabilize in-state tuition and to enroll historic numbers of California undergraduates. In 2017, under Napolitano’s leadership, the University of California was the first university in the country to file a lawsuit to stop the federal government’s rescission of the DACA program. The injunctions the University received prohibiting the rescission of DACA were upheld by the US Supreme Court. Napolitano also advanced the university’s legacy of leadership on global climate action, launching UC’s Carbon Neutrality Initiative in 2013 — making UC the first major research university system to commit to systemwide carbon neutrality — and putting UC on a path toward 100 percent clean electricity across its campuses and medical centers. In 2017, she also spearheaded the formation of the University Climate Change Coalition (UC3), bringing together leading North American research universities to help local communities achieve their climate goals and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future.

Napolitano is the recipient of nine honorary degrees as well as the Jefferson Medal from the University of Virginia, that University’s highest honor. She was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2015 and the American Philosophical Society in 2017. From 2022 to 2025 she served on the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board. She serves on the Council of the American Law Institute and on the boards of the RAND Corporation, Vir Biotechnology, Fortinet, and the Council on Foreign Relations. In March of 2019, Napolitano published How Safe Are We? Homeland Security Since 9/11.

Featured Videos

Janet Napolitano

Janet Napolitano on the Three Largest Threats Facing National Security

Janet Napolitano

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Janet Napolitano

Janet Napolitano on America’s Southwest Border

Janet Napolitano

Janet Napolitano on America’s Southwest Border

Janet Napolitano on the Three Largest Threats Facing National Security

Janet Napolitano on TSA Pre-Check

Janet Napolitano on America’s Southwest Border

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