Rachel McGrath, critical infrastructure specialist with North Carolina Emergency Management, completed the Emergence Program at the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for
Homeland Defense and Security on Jan. 16. The program’s primary deliverable was a change initiative, where students identify critical challenges in their agencies, design practical
solutions, and refine them into strategies to provide immediate value to their organizations.
Throughout the hybrid program, McGrath collaborated with homeland security officials from across the nation on current policy, strategy and organizational design challenges. CHDS programs prepare public and private sector leaders to anticipate, manage and respond to today’s complex homeland defense and homeland security challenges, with a strong emphasis on strengthening community‑level preparedness.
“It was honestly such an incredible experience,” said McGrath. “I was able to learn from and create connections with other professionals across the country who are passionate about serving their community and creating a more secure future. We got to not only learn about cutting‑edge research about the national security threat landscape but also developed our own leadership skills and how to lead from any role.”
The NPS‑CHDS students represent a snapshot of the homeland security enterprise, including professionals from the fields of emergency management, education, law enforcement, fire service, homeland security, public health and city/county government, as well as tribal and federal agencies.
McGrath has served for more than two years in the Homeland Security section of NCEM where she collaborates with State Emergency Response Team partners in public works and engineering, transportation and energy sectors through numerous natural hazard events. Additionally, McGrath works closely with her partners at the North Carolina State Board of Elections to provide election security support. Alongside her colleagues in the NCEM Homeland Security section, she provides vulnerability assessments to critical infrastructure assets across the state. McGrath earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and global studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a master’s degree in public and international affairs from the University of Pittsburgh.
Located at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, CHDS is the nation’s homeland security educator. CHDS program participants develop critical thinking, leadership and policy skills. CHDS is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, National Preparedness Directorate, within the Federal Emergency Management Agency.