LCSD Safety Coordinator Sue Graves has been accepted into the Masters of Arts Degree Program in Homeland Defense and Security Services. This prestigious opportunity is offered to thirty professionals nationwide by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in partnership with the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security. The course is 18 months of graduate study, with most done online and two weeks per quarter spent at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. Tuition, books, travel and lodging is paid by FEMA.

“Getting into the program is a highly competitive national process. Your selection speaks volumes about your professional experience, leadership ability, intellectual capacity and support from those who recommended you,” states Ms. Graves’ acceptance letter. The program is intended for local, state, tribal and federal government officials (civilian and military) with responsibilities in homeland security. Its purpose is to develop strategies, plans and programs to prevent, protect from, respond to and recover from terrorist and other catastrophic events within the United States. “Kudos to Sue Graves for this wonderful opportunity,” said Superintendent Steve Boynton. “We are fortunate to have Ms. Graves in our district, as she is a nationally known school safety expert.”