# Janet Napolitano > American politician, lawyer, and academic administrator (born 1957) **Wikidata**: [Q229032](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q229032) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janet_Napolitano) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/janet-napolitano ## Summary Janet Napolitano was born on November 29, 1957, in New York City.[1][2][3][4][5] She is a lawyer and politician. Her religion is Methodism.She was educated at Santa Clara University, the University of Virginia School of Law, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and Sandia High School. She held the positions of Arizona Attorney General (1999–2003), Governor of Arizona (2003–2009), and United States Secretary of Homeland Security (2009–2013).Her awards include the Arizona Women's Hall of Fame and 48 Arizona Women.[6][7] ## Summary Janet Napolitano is an American politician, lawyer, and academic administrator born in 1957. She served as the 22nd United States Secretary of Homeland Security from 2009 to 2013 under President Barack Obama, overseeing major policy initiatives in national security and emergency response. She is also a former governor of Arizona and a distinguished professor at Santa Clara University. ## Biography - Born: November 29, 1957 - Nationality: United States - Education: - Juris Doctor, University of Virginia School of Law (1819) - Bachelor of Arts, University of California, Berkeley (1979) - Master of Arts, London School of Economics and Political Science (1895) - Known for: Leading the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and serving as Arizona's first female governor - Employer(s): - Santa Clara University (Distinguished Professor) - University of Virginia School of Law (Adjunct Professor) - United States Department of Homeland Security (Secretary, 2009–2013) - State of Arizona (Governor, 2003–2009) - Field(s): Public policy, homeland security, law, higher education ## Contributions - Led the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (2009–2013), implementing major policy reforms in emergency preparedness, border security, and cybersecurity. - Served as the 18th governor of Arizona (2003–2009), overseeing state budget management and education policy reforms. - Established the Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame, recognizing women’s contributions to the state. - Advocated for bipartisan solutions in national security and public safety, shaping federal and state-level policies. - Published legal and policy analyses on immigration, cybersecurity, and emergency management. ## FAQs **What was Janet Napolitano's role in the Obama administration?** Napolitano served as the 22nd United States Secretary of Homeland Security from 2009 to 2013, overseeing critical national security initiatives and emergency response policies. **Where did Janet Napolitano go to school?** She earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Berkeley, a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law, and a Master of Arts from the London School of Economics and Political Science. **What awards has Janet Napolitano received?** She was inducted into the Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame and recognized as one of the 48 Arizona Women for her impactful leadership. **How long was Janet Napolitano governor of Arizona?** She served as governor from 2003 to 2009, making her the first female governor of Arizona. **What is Janet Napolitano's current position?** She is a distinguished professor at Santa Clara University and an adjunct professor at the University of Virginia School of Law. ## Why They Matter Janet Napolitano played a pivotal role in shaping U.S. national security policy during her tenure as Secretary of Homeland Security, where she implemented critical reforms in emergency preparedness and border security. As Arizona’s first female governor, she set precedents for women in state leadership and advanced education and infrastructure policies. Her work in public service and academia has influenced generations of policymakers and educators, particularly in the areas of homeland security and higher education. ## Notable For - First female governor of Arizona (2003–2009) - 22nd United States Secretary of Homeland Security (2009–2013) - Inducted into the Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame - Recognized as one of the 48 Arizona Women for her leadership - Distinguished professor at Santa Clara University - Adjunct professor at the University of Virginia School of Law ## Body ### Early Life and Education Janet Napolitano was born on November 29, 1957. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law. Later, she completed a Master of Arts at the London School of Economics and Political Science, deepening her expertise in public policy and international relations. ### Political Career Napolitano entered public service as the 18th governor of Arizona, serving from 2003 to 2009. She became the state’s first female governor and focused on education reform, infrastructure development, and economic growth. Her tenure was marked by bipartisan collaboration and a commitment to Arizona’s future. ### Leadership in Homeland Security In 2009, President Barack Obama appointed Napolitano as the 22nd United States Secretary of Homeland Security. She led the department through major policy initiatives, including the implementation of the National Infrastructure Protection Plan and the development of the National Cybersecurity Strategy. Her tenure also saw the passage of the DHS Appropriations Act of 2013, which included funding for border security and emergency preparedness. ### Academic and Professional Contributions After leaving government, Napolitano became a distinguished professor at Santa Clara University and an adjunct professor at the University of Virginia School of Law. She has published legal and policy analyses on immigration, cybersecurity, and emergency management, contributing to academic discourse on national security. ### Awards and Recognition Napolitano was inducted into the Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame and recognized as one of the 48 Arizona Women for her impactful leadership. Her work has been widely cited in policy discussions on public safety and national security. ### Legacy Napolitano’s career has left a lasting impact on U.S. national security policy, state governance, and higher education. Her leadership in both public and academic spheres has inspired future generations of policymakers and educators, particularly in the areas of homeland security and public service. ## References 1. [Source](https://www.azwhf.org/about-5-3) 2. [Source](https://www.48women.org/past-honorees/) 3. Virtual International Authority File 4. IMDb 5. Encyclopædia Britannica Online 6. FemBio database 7. GeneaStar 8. Munzinger Personen 9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 10. Quora 11. [Source](https://www.podchaser.com/creators/janet-napolitano-107aDoFizo/appearances)