Dr. Ryan Baggett is the Dean of Online Learning, Graduate Education, and Research and serves as a tenured Professor of Homeland Security within the Department of Safety and Security at Eastern Kentucky University. His leadership portfolio includes EKU Online, the EKU Graduate School, and EKU Sponsored Programs. Prior to his faculty appointment in 2011, Baggett served as the Director of Homeland Security Programs within the Justice and Safety Center at EKU for ten years. In this capacity, Baggett provided oversight of two U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funded programs. Baggett started at EKU in fall of 1999 after working three years at a university police department.

During his tenure at the Center, he served as a program manager/director for various public safety and security projects from both the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Topical areas within these programs include but are not limited to the National Incident Management System/National Response Framework, Technology Evaluations and Assessments, and Training and Technical Assistance to Rural and Remote Agencies. Prior to fall 2011, Baggett taught as adjunct faculty in the Safety, Security, and Emergency Management and the Criminal Justice and Police Studies Department within the College.

In the area of scholarship, Baggett has co-authored several book chapters, journal articles, and the following books:  

• “Homeland Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection, 2nd Edition” (Praeger International, 2018). 
• “Homeland Security Technologies for the 21st Century” (Praeger International, 2017).
• “Homeland Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection” (Praeger International, 2009).

Baggett was awarded the EKU High Impact Practice Teaching Award in 2019, the 2017 College of Justice and Safety Mentorship Award, the 2015 EKU eCampus “Faculty Advocate for Student Success” Award, the 2014 recipient of the EKU Award of Teaching Excellence and a 2013 recipient of the EKU Critical Thinking Teacher of the Year Award. Dr. Baggett holds a doctorate degree in Leadership and Policy studies and a Master’s of Science Degree in Criminal Justice (with a concentration in Police Administration) from Eastern Kentucky University. His Bachelors of Science Degree in Criminal Justice is from Murray State University.