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Adjunct Lecturer Aida Silva Cruz co-wrote a textbook tracing the history of homeland security from the U.S. Constitution to today.

"The History and Evolution of Homeland Security in the United States: From the Constitution through 9/11 to the Present" offers a unique perspective into the challenges and triumphs of this critical field. 

The textbook, to be released in July by CRC Press, is a collaborative effort of Ms. Cruz, of the Department Sociocultural and Justice Sciences, and three colleagues: Isabel Vázquez, Steven MacMartin and Rodger Lee Werner Jr. Three of the authors have taught as adjuncts for more than 15 years and have served in federal law enforcement.

“For our students and the broader community, this textbook provides a vital and comprehensive historical overview of the growing field of homeland security,” explained Cruz, who has 25 years of law enforcement service at the federal level. 

Specifically, it offers Fredonia SUNY students interested in related careers a foundational understanding of U.S. Homeland Security's evolution, from its early stages to the post-9/11 era, highlighting the critical transformations of the last two decades, she added. Included is a detailed accounting of the elaboration of security policies and strategies as they developed in the United States, both before and after the formation of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, highlighting the challenges posed by both natural and human-caused threats.

In her teaching, Cruz emphasizes the integration of real-world experiences to complement and enrich textbook material. "The History and Evolution of Homeland Security in the United States” embodies that style, drawing on the diverse expertise of four professionals (two females and two males) across various elements of Homeland Security.