TOPICS
TOPICS
Homeland Security official suspended after credentials are questioned
A senior technology official at the Homeland Security Department is on administrative leave pending an investigation into her educational credentials, a department spokeswoman confirmed Friday.
On Thursday, the department placed Laura Callahan, a senior director in the chief information officer's office, on paid administrative leave following news that her degrees came from an alleged diploma mill in Wyoming. Such businesses offer college degrees for little or no course work.
Government Computer News first reported the story May 30.
"We are collecting the facts at this point," said Michelle Petrovich, spokeswoman for the Homeland Security Department's science and technology directorate. "Once we have all the facts, we will be able to verify what needs to be done beyond administrative leave."
Callahan left her position as deputy chief information officer at the Labor Department to join the Homeland Security Department in April 2003.
In response to the Callahan incident, House Government Reform Chairman Tom Davis, R-Va., and Rep. Jo Ann Davis, R-Va., sent a letter to Office of Personnel Management Director Kay Coles James asking her to detail the safeguards in place to protect federal agencies from hiring employees who list fraudulent education and training on their resumes or curriculum vitaes. The letter also asked James to recommend such policies if they do not exist.
The two legislators gave James a June 20 deadline to respond to their inquiries. Phone calls placed Friday to OPM were not returned.
COMMENTS
- The issue isn't how well the Homeland Security employee did her job, etc. It is whether or not the federal government should accept non-accredited educational credentials. If the government does not currently have a requirement that only work at accedited institutions is acceptable, then there should certainly be one. Otherwise, there is an unlevel playing field among job applicants and promotion seekers. Federal employees already suffer from a poor image, allowing diploma mill credentials only adds to the argument that we are inferior. As someone who has a legitimate bachelors degree and many legitimate masters degree credits, I resent someone being able to progress in the federal service based on what amounts to deception. It is a character issue also. If you can do a job so well, aren't you smart enough to go to a real college? GovExec.com reader Posted February 27, 2004 10:06 AM
- How well has Ms. Callahan performed in each of the jobs she has held throughout her federal career? If she stated on her job application where she obtained her degree, then she certainly hasn't disguised or engaged in deception. If there is no "false" statement made on her application, then where is the nexus between where, or from whom, she obtained her degree and performance? It is unfortunate that the attack comes from those who spent time and money to attend a university/college to obtain a degree and against those whose experience is equal or greater but are thought of as inferior. If the school where Ms. Calahan obtained her degree(s) are recognized by the State of Wyoming, then why would such recognization not be recognized by the federal sector? Obviously, Ms. Callahan has performed well in her position, recognized by her peers, and is qualified. I would take an experienced employee, especially one who has proven his/her knowledge, skills, and abilities, any day before someone who does not have equal experience; whether gained through just education or experience and education combined. If I were Ms. Callahan, I would seek employment outside of the federal government, for it is the federal government that is not deserving of such a qualified individual. GovExec.com reader Posted January 26, 2004 7:56 AM
- While I feel it is wrong to misrepresent oneself for any purpose, I believe the actions taken with regards to Ms. Callahan are wrong and should be reversed. She has worked in the government for many years in a number of positions, and was recognized last year as one of the best and brightest. That has not changed in the interim. Since she has worked for a number of agencies, and TSA requires a security clearance, which presumably she cleared successfully, then there is no reason to take action. If she had said she went to Harvard, then she is misrepresenting herself, but since she has degrees from Hamilton University of Wyoming, and that is what she represents, then she has done nothing wrong. Her experience is what is required at her level of position, and she certainly has that, along with a great deal of recognition for many jobs well done. Gary L. Faeth Posted June 13, 2003 10:42 AM
