Academic Chair of Security Studies
Dr. Brad A. Gutierrez is the Academic Chair of Security Studies at the Africa Center of Strategic Studies. In this capacity, Dr. Gutierrez oversees curriculum and program development in the area of security studies focusing on security challenges in Africa (including those pertaining to human security, democratic transition and conflict) and the role of national security strategies in addressing these challenges.
Prior to joining the Center, Dr. Gutierrez served in a number of positions at the U.S. Dept of Homeland Security, Center for Naval Analyses and on the Headquarters staff of the U.S. Air Force, examining and facilitating, among other things, the interagency collaboration of U.S. policies toward Africa. During a 23-year military career which preceded his government service, Dr. Gutierrez served as a combat pilot, professor of political science and military diplomat. His teaching and research interest focused on Africa Politics, Central European Politics and democratic transitions of authoritarian militaries.
Dr. Gutierrez holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego, an M.A. in Russian and East European Studies from Indiana University and a B.S. in International Relations with a concentration in African politics from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He is proficient in Hungarian and has basic skills in French.
Areas of Expertise
African Security Challenges, Democratization, Security Sector Reform, Regional and International Security Cooperation, Zimbabwe