Faculty & Staff
The School for Arctic Security Studies is supported by a dedicated team of faculty and staff who bring expertise in Arctic strategy, security policy, and professional education. Our faculty includes experienced professors and curriculum developers who shape the academic foundation of our programs, while our registrar team and alumni specialist ensure a seamless experience for participants—from enrollment to lifelong professional engagement. Together, this team fosters a dynamic learning environment that prepares participants to navigate the evolving challenges of Arctic security.
Dean and Deputy Dean
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Matthew T. Bell, Jr.
Dean of School of Arctic Security Studies
Former Commander, Seventeenth Coast Guard District, Juneau, AK, Rear Admiral (Ret.) Matthew T. Bell, Jr.…
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Brian K. Houghton
Deputy Dean
Dr. Brian K. Houghton joined the Ted Stevens Center in October 2024. Prior to coming…
Matthew T. Bell, Jr.
Dean of School of Arctic Security Studies
Former Commander, Seventeenth Coast Guard District, Juneau, AK, Rear Admiral (Ret.) Matthew T. Bell, Jr. joined the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies as Dean On 25 April 2022. He is responsible for the executive education program designed with the end goals of protecting the U.S. homeland, maintaining a favorable balance of power in the region, and promoting a shared approach to regional security and respect for the existing rules-based order. His thirty-six year Coast Guard career includes numerous operational tours in Alaska, including two command afloat assignments in Kodiak and most recently as the Commander, 17th Coast Guard District in Juneau where he was responsible for Coast Guard operations throughout Alaska, the North Pacific Ocean, Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean. Dean Bell is a 1984 graduate from Northern Arizona University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. He entered the Coast Guard in 1985 through Recruit Training Center Cape May and received his commission in 1986 upon graduation from Officer Candidate School. He holds a Master of Science in Chemistry awarded by Northern Arizona University in 1993 and is a graduate of Harvard University, National Preparedness Leadership Initiative.
Brian K. Houghton
Deputy Dean
Dr. Brian K. Houghton joined the Ted Stevens Center in October 2024. Prior to coming to the Ted Stevens Center, he was a Professor at Brigham Young University-Hawaii from 2006 to 2024, where he also served as the Associate Dean and then Dean of the Faculty of Business & Government from 2013 to 2021. Before working at BYU-Hawaii, he was the Director of Research at the Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism, a Doctoral Fellow at the Rand Corporation, a Research Analyst at the Strategic Assessment Center, and a contract counterterrorism instructor with the Department of State’s Antiterrorism Assistance Program.
He holds a Ph.D. in Policy Analysis from Pardee RAND Graduate School, an M.A. in International Affairs from George Washington University, and a B.A. in International Relations from Brigham Young University.
Dr. Houghton has authored numerous publications, participated in workshops, wargames and seminars, and presented worldwide briefings on counterterrorism, security studies, and crisis management. He was awarded the Distinguished Faculty Award from BYU-Hawaii in 2014.
Staff Members
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Elizabeth E. Copes
Participants Program Management, ACT1 Federal
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Cody Dees
Professor of International Security
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Christine Duprow
Lead Curriculum Developer
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Kathryn B. Friedman
Professor of North American Arctic Policy, ACT1 Federal
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Connor N. Keesecker
Registrar Support Services, ACT1 Federal
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Wesley Moerbe
Alumni Relations Specialist
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Matthew A. Rhodes
Professor of International Security
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Dwayne A. Wood
Training and Curriculum Development, ACT1 Federal
Elizabeth E. Copes
Participants Program Management, ACT1 Federal
Elizabeth E. Copes joined ACT1 Federal in support of the Ted Stevens Center on November 10, 2021. Prior to supporting the Stevens Center, she was a Global Events Manager who supported DOD Office of Small Business Programs & USAID hosted events on three continents. Previously, Beth applied her passion for customer engagement, service delivery & process improvement in both the government contracting (FAA & NASA) and not-for-profit administration arenas.
She holds a master’s degree in business administration.
As an advocate of Servant Leadership, Beth has invested countless hours over two decades leading community service and civic engagement organizations both as a volunteer and executive member of multiple community boards.
Cody Dees
Professor of International Security
Dr. Cody J. Dees joined the professorial ranks of the Ted Stevens Center on December 3, 2023. Prior to coming to the Ted Stevens Center, Dr. Dees served as an active-duty Air Force 1A8 (Airborne Linguistic Cryptologist), where he acted as a modern day “Wind Talker,” performing real-time encryption, decryption, and translation of target communications, personally ensuring the safety and success of joint force engagements within his target theatre. Following his discharge and pursuit of his academic career, Dr. Dees proceeded to establish himself within the field of educational program administration, most recently holding the position of ‘Chief of General English Curriculum’ for the Defense Language Institute English Language Center, Joint Base San Antonio, Lackland, where he reestablished the institute’s foundational design frameworks, recreated the flagship English Language Training pipeline, and re-drafted internal policies which reduced development costs while improving process continuity and productivity.
Dr. Dees holds an interdisciplinary Ph.D. based in Second Language Acquisition and Teaching, which has been tailored to focus on the unique sociological aspects of educational culture and in applied language contexts. Having pioneered research in Values Theory, Dr. Dees’ research has created a new awareness of the intrinsic links between values systems and the immersion and transmission of culture, particularly within cross-cultural educational settings.
When asked about his broad range of personal, academic, and professional interests, he stated that they all stem from the desire to better understand “how people people, and why.”
Christine Duprow
Lead Curriculum Developer
Dr. Christine L. Duprow is the Curriculum Developer for the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies. As the lead curriculum developer within the team serving the center, Christine develops, plans, and executes Arctic security related course materials. Dr. Duprow is also a key part of the TSC’s work using human center design practices and facilitation. She recently completed her Doctorate in Education with an E-Learning specialization from National University. Prior to supporting the Ted Stevens Center Dr. Duprow was an Anchorage School District Department Chair and lead educator. Dr. Duprow is a transplant to Alaska via the U.S. Airforce and served for 23 years as a signals specialist and classified courier.
Kathryn B. Friedman
Professor of North American Arctic Policy, ACT1 Federal
Dr. Kathryn Bryk Friedman serves in a consultative capacity as the North American Arctic Policy Advisor to the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies and as a Global Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (Canada Institute). Kathryn is a recognized foreign policy expert, with two decades of experience collaborating with and advising US, Canadian, and European government officials on security, defense, borders, and migration. Her work sits at the intersection of law, security, defense, and geopolitics. Prior to supporting the Stevens Center, she served on the faculty at the University at Buffalo where she directed a law and policy program focused on North America.
Kathryn served as a Fulbright Fellow and an Abshire Inamori Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC. Kathryn has provided guest commentary in the media. She served on panels at the United Nations (World Water Week and High Level Political Forum) and at the Bled Strategic Forum. Kathryn clerked for two appellate judges and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. Kathryn has a Ph.D. with concentrations in international relations and comparative politics, and J.D., magna cum laude, with a concentration in international law.
Connor N. Keesecker
Registrar Support Services, ACT1 Federal
Connor Keesecker joined ACT1 Federal in support of the Ted Stevens Center in December 2022 as Registrar Support Services. Prior to coming to the Ted Stevens Center, he served as the Communications and Research Associate for the Arctic Domain Awareness Center, a DHS Center of Excellence hosted by the University of Alaska Anchorage. He previously worked on economic development and community issues with non-profits in Anchorage.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the University of Alaska Anchorage.
Wesley Moerbe
Alumni Relations Specialist
Wesley A. Moerbe joined the Ted Stevens Center on August 11, 2025. Prior to coming to the Ted Stevens Center, he served as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army for 21 years, culminating in battalion command at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, in Anchorage, Alaska. Prior to that he served in several combat assignments overseas and taught in the Department of History at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.
Wes holds a Masters in Military Art and Science from the School of Advanced Military Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Military History from the United States Military Academy.
He has several publications for Military Review, Naval Institute Press, and other professional journals.
Matthew A. Rhodes
Professor of International Security
Dr. Matthew A. Rhodes joined the Ted Stevens Center in January 2024. Prior to coming to the Ted Stevens Center, he served on the faculty of the George C. Marshall Center in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany and the U.S. Air War College at Maxwell AFB, Alabama.
He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
He is the author of numerous articles, book chapters, and policy papers dealing with U.S. foreign policy, transatlantic relations, and European security.
Dwayne A. Wood
Training and Curriculum Development, ACT1 Federal
Dr. Dwayne A. Wood joined ACT1 Federal in support of the Ted Stevens Center on 15 May 2023. Prior to supporting the Stevens Center, he held instructional design and instructor positions in the government and higher education sectors.
He holds a Doctorate in Education and a Master’s in Adult Education.
He retired from the Army after 22 years serving in many roles such as Combat Engineer, Human Resources, Special Operations Support, Senior Enlisted Advisor, and Military Science Instructor.
