ISS Student Spotlight | Alejandro Navarro
Tell us a bit about yourself, what inspired you to pursue a graduate degree in International Security Studies, and what areas of security or policy interest you most?
My name is Alejandro, I was born and raised here in Tucson. I am married to my wife, Brenda, who is a Tucson police detective. I have a son and a daughter; my son is a freshman at the U of A (Intelligence & Information Operations major, like dad), and my daughter is in junior in high school and will hopefully become a Wildcat someday.
The International Securities Studies (ISS) program has been such a great experience and has had a major impact on my professional and academic career. In my professional career, I am a firefighter with the Tucson Fire Department of 25 years. I have worked for the department in many capacities, including as a firefighter, EMT, engineer, and as an sUAV pilot. My current position is an inspector in the Code Enforcement Division (Special Hazards) and as a Threat Liaison Official in downtown Tucson.
After completing all of my training within the fire department, I felt a strong desire to return to school and finish my undergraduate degree. In 2022, I earned a Bachelor of Applied Science in Intelligence and Information Operations from the University of Arizona. Shortly thereafter, I decided to apply for the Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP) to continue advancing my academic career. The seamless transition between programs, along with the affordability, further motivated me to pursue the ISS graduate degree.
The policy and security areas that interest me the most are those that deal with Mexico. Both my parents are from Mexico so naturally I would visit and learned Spanish as a child and now speak the language fluently. I have always considered Mexico my second home and care for it deeply.
Can you share a research topic, project, or class that has been particularly meaningful or challenging for you so far?
Every course I took in the ISS program was fascinating, and I truly learned something meaningful from each one. The class that left the deepest impression on me was National and Civil Security in Mexico with Professor Michael Burgoyne. His class pushed me to think critically about real world challenges, especially when we were tasked with writing policy papers to strengthen the U.S. and Mexico security relationship. I knew the relationship between these two countries is complex however, finding solutions is no easy task; there’s no quick fix or perfect policy. Real change takes time, understanding, and often a shift in the way people think and interact. That insight really changed the way I view policymaking.
What skills or lessons have you gained through the ISS program, and how have these experiences shaped your personal and professional goals?
The ISS program has sharpened my analytical, research and writing skills which have translated into my personal and professional career. The professors in the ISS program challenged you at every turn and required you to defend your position with peer reviewed information and data to support your claim. Through these experiences, they have shaped the way I approach an issue within the fire department’s code enforcement and special hazards arena and my personal life.
What advice would you give to new ISS students about getting the most out of the program?
The one piece of advice that I would give to a new ISS student is to speak with an academic counselor. They can help you identify what your interests are or tailor a path to supplement your current career and to get the most benefit from the ISS program. They can also help you with the Grad Path forms so that your ISS experience will be fulfilling and exciting.