Arizona Congressman Abe Hamadeh visited Arizona State University’s West Valley campus as part of the Congressional Dialogue Series, where he spoke about the university’s growing presence in Washington, D.C., and its impact on national security and support for veterans.
“You can’t escape ASU,” Hamadeh said at the event. “They have a campus at Washington, D.C. They’re all over the world. So many of the ambassadors who visit my office, they all know what Arizona State University is. They all want to visit soon.”
The series is hosted by ASU’s Office of Government and Community Engagement. Sally Morton, executive vice president of ASU’s Knowledge Enterprise, thanked Hamadeh for his efforts supporting students and veterans and highlighted ongoing work at ASU to strengthen Arizona’s role in national security and defense innovation.
“This event is an opportunity to showcase what we do here,” Morton said. “We’re trying to be real responsive in real time as events are happening so quickly. The last one we did with Congressman (Andy) Biggs was about energy for artificial intelligence, which is a huge issue for the Valley and state, as well as the nation. Today we’re talking about national security and some of the ways ASU answers the nation’s call.”
Todd Sandrin, vice provost of the West Valley campus, emphasized that ASU’s mission aligns closely with District 8 in West Valley, which Hamadeh serves.
“Through our workforce development initiatives, from defense industry training to STEM education, cybersecurity and veterans’ career pathways, we are committed to helping build the talent pipeline that sustains Arizona’s security, innovation and prosperity,” Sandrin said.
Hamadeh also participated in a fireside chat with Danny Seiden, president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce. Seiden is an alumnus and adjunct professor at ASU’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.
Hamadeh commended ASU for its work supporting veterans through programs like the Pat Tillman Veterans Center. The center assists nearly 25,000 active-duty service members, veterans and military-connected students with education benefits and transition support.
“You want to see the university systems embrace our veterans to help them upskill, re-skill and get back out in the workforce,” Hamadeh said. “I think ASU does a great job with veterans.”
He encouraged more congressional visits to universities to understand how research connects with national security needs.
“Sometimes universities operate as a silo, and some generals might not know what could be available for them in 10, 15 years from now, and what investments are going towards,” he said. “I think a delegation would be a good way to understand the university system, which has a direct link to so much of the advanced technologies.”
Nadya Bliss, executive director of ASU’s Global Security Initiative who introduced Hamadeh at the event, pointed out that major technological advances such as internet technology or autonomous vehicles were developed through Department of Defense funding involving universities across America.
“Our nation’s story of technological advancement over the last 60 years can largely be traced back to these and other defense research programs,” Bliss said. “And there is no one in this country who has not been impacted by that research, by the ideas developed on campuses like (the West Valley campus).”
Bliss noted that ASU ranks among top institutions for defense research nationally.
“I have spent much of the last quarter century working in national security research and development… And I can tell you: ASU truly is a unique organization… because it is unafraid to take risks or responsibility… because we want to move at speed of relevance… Real impact on problems our country is facing today,” she said.
She detailed several initiatives:
– The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering launched a School of Integrated Engineering focused on preparing students for careers critical to national security.
– The Center for Cybersecurity and Trusted Foundations offers local high school students internships on cybersecurity issues; it also provides an online platform nationwide for building cybersecurity skills.
– Teams from ASU collaborate directly with Marines at 29 Palms Marine Corps Base developing new systems for team performance feedback; another group works on AI-based cybersecurity systems aimed at identifying vulnerabilities faster within critical infrastructure.
“There is so much going on that I could not possibly cover it all here,” Bliss added. “Universities are seedbeds for our country’s new ideas… No other type organization can match breadth expertise depth knowledge exists large-scale research universities like ASU… That combination can lead incredible ingenuity… when coupled mission needs types problems trying solve areas like defense national security you get world-changing ideas.”
ASU has also been recognized nationally for its innovative efforts across higher education fields: It was named number one in innovation by U.S News & World Report eight consecutive years based on nominations from college leaders assessing advancements made by American institutions (source).
Additionally,the City of Phoenix Street Transportation Department has partnered with Argos Vision—a tech startup originating from Arizona State University—to test smart traffic cameras designed improve safety using advanced data analysis tools during a pilot program.
