Cord Swerny, ‘11 BS

When I look back on my time at Arizona State University, I remember most fondly the professors and classmates who pushed me to think critically and never stop moving forward. The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice gave me mentors who taught me how to analyze problems, stay disciplined, and apply what I learned to real-world challenges. Just as meaningful were the friendships I built with fellow students who, like me, were balancing work, life, and school while chasing big goals. That sense of shared determination still inspires me today.

ASU helped me succeed by giving me both the academic foundation and the confidence to lead. The discipline I built through long nights studying case studies, late hours in the library, and group projects taught me how to manage pressure and find solutions — lessons that have carried into my military service and later into building my own companies, Apex Global Security and ARSOF Corp. The resilience and adaptability I sharpened at ASU continue to guide me as I lead organizations that provide security, intelligence, and protection services in complex environments.

One of my favorite memories at ASU is a quiet one: walking across campus late in the evening after class, passing under the arches of Old Main. In those moments, I often found myself sketching out ideas for the future, thinking about the kind of leader I wanted to become. On game days, the campus energy was electric — a reminder that being part of ASU meant being part of something bigger than yourself. Both the quiet reflection and the loud pride of game day still stay with me.

ASU gave me the spirit to be bold, adaptive, and persistent. That foundation has shaped who I am and how I lead today.