Mohamed Ahmed

Mohamed Ahmed, Ph.D. is the Chief Diversity Officer at Alliant International University and a Professor of Counterterrorism in The San Diego State University Homeland Security Graduate Program. Dr. Ahmed is also the Director of Strategic Initiatives & Community Programming at the American Counterterrorism Targeting and Resilience Institute (ACTRI). He received his bachelor’s in International Security and Conflict Resolution and Master’s in Postsecondary Educational Leadership from San Diego State University and his Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from Old Dominion University. Past positions include Senior Community Engagement Coordinator for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Office of Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention, Research Fellow at the International Center for the Study of Violent Extremism (ICSVE), and positions and consultancies with domestic and international organizations. Dr. Ahmed serves as an American Subject Matter Expert for the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs – International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), where he engages international audiences on topics that are of strategic importance to the United States including national security and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dr. Ahmed’s research focuses on providing positive counter-narratives to polarizing terrorism recruitment and radicalization. Over the past decade, Dr. Ahmed has been a leading voice in business and civic circles, providing guidance to local, national, and international organizations on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion, community engagement, civic engagement, and public safety. Dr. Ahmed serves on the City of San Diego Commission on Gang Prevention and Intervention, the San Diego District Attorneys Interfaith Advisory Board, One World Strong Foundation, and several boards and commissions. Dr. Ahmed has been recognized for his leadership through numerous honors and awards, including the National Diversity Council’s 2021 DEI Champion Award, the United States Attorney Local Hero Award, the City of San Diego Ashely L. Walker Social Justice Award, San Diego State University Zuma Community Service Award, the San Diego State University Iscorian of the Year, the Somali Youth United Leadership Award, Phi Beta Sigma Community Activist of the Year, Ocean Leaf Emerging Leaders Award, and the Community Housing Works VALOR Award.