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UNO’s Gina Ligon Discusses Rising Threats Against Public Officials and Upcoming Event Security

KETV features UNO and NCITE expert Gina Ligon on the growing threats to public officials and the need for proactive security.

  • published: 2025/06/18
  • contact: Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications
  • email: unonews@unomaha.edu
Gina Ligon, Ph.D., director of the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s (UNO) National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (NCITE)

Gina Ligon, Ph.D., director of the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s (UNO) National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (NCITE). Photo: Ryan Soderlin, Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications

Gina Ligon, Ph.D., director of the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s (UNO) National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (NCITE), was featured on KETV, addressing the increasing threats against public officials. Ligon cited recent incidents, such as the Minnesota lawmaker shootings, to illustrate the evolving nature of these threats. She also emphasized the need for proactive security measures for major upcoming events, including the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

💡 Why it matters: Ligon’s insights highlight the importance of planning and preparedness in the face of rising political violence, highlighting the critical role of security in ensuring the safety of public officials and event participants.

🔍 The big picture: As global events grow in scale and political violence escalates, Ligon’s expertise provides valuable guidance on the proactive measures necessary to safeguard public figures and large gatherings.

For more on Ligon’s commentary on security and political violence, read the full article on KETV.

Read the full article on KETV

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university, committed to innovating for the public good, advancing social mobility, powering workforce development, and serving as a hub for community engagement. Nearly 15,000 Mavericks choose UNO for its hands-on education experiences, nationally ranked online and graduate programs, military-connected student support, and innovative approaches to supporting lifelong learning. UNO holds the Carnegie Research Activity “R2” designation, securing more than $40 million annually in external research funding and counts its faculty among the world’s most cited scholars. Sixteen Omaha Athletics programs compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Summit League and National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). 

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