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Joe D. Lyons, Ph.D.

Director, Security and Strategic Intelligence

Education

  • Ph.D. Public Policy (Applied Statistics), Saint Louis University, 2011
  • M.P.A. Public Administration, Murray State University, 1999
  • B.S. Political Science, Murray State University, 1993
  • Additional Graduate Study in GIS, Florida Atlantic University, 1999

Practice Areas

Dr. Joe Lyons is associate professor of security and strategic intelligence and founder and director of both the undergraduate and master’s programs in security and strategic Intelligence at Saint Louis University. He currently serves as Faculty Senate president and faculty trustee, working closely with university leadership on institutional policy, governance, and strategic initiatives.

Dr. Lyons has played a central role in shared governance, leading the development and implementation of university-wide policies and initiatives that support faculty engagement, academic quality, and institutional effectiveness. His work reflects a sustained focus on navigating complex institutional environments and aligning faculty priorities with broader strategic objectives.

In addition to his governance leadership, Dr. Lyons has founded and developed multiple academic programs and interdisciplinary initiatives in national security, geospatial intelligence, and applied analytics. He leads programs affiliated with federal Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE) designations, including Intelligence Community (IC) CAE, and co-directs the Cyber Defense Center (CAE-CD), supporting workforce development and national-level partnerships. His work has attracted external funding and competitive grant support to advance innovation in graduate and professional education.

Prior to entering academia, Dr. Lyons spent 14 years in the U.S. intelligence community, beginning with his appointment to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. He completed multiple overseas tours as an intelligence officer and brings extensive experience in national security, geospatial intelligence, and strategic analysis.

Dr. Lyons is a retired information dominance warfare officer with 27 years of military service across U.S. European Command (EUCOM), Central Command (CENTCOM), and Northern Command (NORTHCOM). His final military assignment was as director of the Naval Intelligence Officer Basic Course. His service includes roles as executive officer, department head, division officer, intelligence officer and instructor.