Early Bird

NCIS director to join MSU Denver faculty July 1

Federal law-enforcement expert Andrew Traver will teach in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology.

By Lindsey Coulter

May 22, 2019

Metropolitan State University of Denver will soon add another outstanding professional to its world-class faculty. Andrew L. Traver — a criminal-investigative, national-security and organizational-leadership expert — will serve as a visiting faculty member in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology beginning July 1.

Traver, who recently retired as the director of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, first visited the MSU Denver campus in 2017 and connected immediately to the University’s mission and commitment to diversity, inclusivity, opportunity and excellence.

“One of my favorite activities throughout my federal law-enforcement career has been guest-speaking in various university classrooms; as a matter of fact, that is (what inspired me to transition into this role with) MSU Denver,” Traver said. “The worlds of law enforcement and national security have evolved continually and incredibly since I began my career in 1987, and I have been very fortunate to live it firsthand. I am thrilled to be able to share that experience with a new generation of students.”

Traver began his 32-year federal law-enforcement career investigating gang-related crime and violations of federal firearms, narcotics and explosives laws. He served as special agent in charge in the Denver and Chicago field-division offices of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and held several supervisory positions throughout his 26-year career with ATF. He has served as NCIS director since 2013, focusing on the myriad global threats to the Navy and Marine Corps ashore, afloat and in cyberspace, including foreign-intelligence challenges, terrorism and criminal behavior. He recently announced his upcoming retirement from NCIS in advance of taking on a new challenge at MSU Denver.

“On behalf of the entire department, I’m extremely excited to have Andrew join the team, teaching one of our key courses, Federal Law Enforcement and Terrorism, for students in the Criminal Justice and Cybersecurity programs,” said Henry Jackson Jr., Ph.D., chair and associate professor, Criminal Justice and Criminology. “His experience and background will help our students bridge the gap between theoretical and practical worlds in criminal justice and cybersecurity.”

“Andrew Traver will be an excellent addition to MSU Denver,” added President Janine Davidson, Ph.D. “His high-level security and operations experience will add further value to our already-excellent criminal-justice programs and will give our Criminal Justice and Criminology students a unique insight into federal law-enforcement theory and operations.”

Traver earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and criminal justice from Northern Illinois University, graduating summa cum laude. He later joined the Navy, graduating third in his class from Officer Candidate School before graduating with honors from Surface Warfare Officer School. In addition to his faculty role, Traver will serve as special advisor to Davidson, drawing on his organizational leadership experience to offer expert advice and insight on Universitywide initiatives while also supporting community- and donor-engagement efforts to advance the University’s goals.