Turning Purpose into a Career in Global Security

At Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott Campus, Xiomara Hoover (’26) is turning her education into a career focused on impact — one that connects her academic journey in global security with a deep commitment to serving her community.

A senior studying Global Security & Intelligence Studies (GSIS), Hoover’s journey reflects both personal growth and a clear sense of direction. What began as an interest in astronomy has evolved into a focused goal of investigative work, shaped by her experiences growing up within the Navajo Nation and her education at Embry-Riddle. 

From the Navajo Nation to Embry-Riddle

Raised within the Navajo Nation — the largest Native American reservation in the United States, spanning parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah — Hoover developed an early curiosity about the natural world.

The Navajo Nation is home to a rich cultural heritage rooted in language, family and a strong connection to the land, all of which played a role in shaping her perspective.

“When I was a child, I had a deep interest in astronomy, captivated by the stars and the sky above,” she said. “I was fascinated by the weather, especially the thunderstorms that would roll through my neighborhood.”

Those early experiences, from watching storms move across the desert to looking up at the night sky, sparked her interest in science and discovery. They also grounded her in a sense of place — something that continues to influence her work today.

Her path to Embry-Riddle began with a classroom visit from a university recruiter during high school, where she first learned about the possibilities the university could offer.

“I thought it was amazing! The programs discussed made the future sound promising instead of scary,” Hoover said. “It made me think that I could potentially be doing great things if I attended.”

A Shift in Direction

Once on campus, Hoover initially pursued astronomy, but quickly realized it was not the right academic fit. That realization led to one of the most important decisions of her college career.

“I was going through a rough time deciding if Astronomy was the right path for me,” she said. “I stayed up late many nights contemplating switching my major.”

After exploring Global Security & Intelligence Studies, she found a discipline that aligned more closely with both her strengths and her goals.

And more importantly, the major helped her define what she wanted to do with her education.

“After switching and being in GSIS classes, I thought about what I wanted to ‘protect,’ and it became a foundation for me to do better.”

Through GSIS, Hoover is developing the analytical and technical skills needed to address complex security challenges.

Connecting Coursework to Community Impact

Hoover’s academic work is closely tied to issues affecting her community. She has also gained hands-on experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a tool widely used in intelligence and investigative work to map and analyze data.

“GIS puts data into perspective,” she explained. “You can choose to highlight problems, and when you see the result of the data, you realize what you highlighted was worse than you thought.”

In one of her most meaningful projects, she used GIS to study Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), a crisis that has impacted Native communities across North America.

“I found that there is a large gap in reporting and representation,” she said.

The project highlighted how data and analysis can bring visibility to underreported issues, reinforcing her desire to pursue a career focused on investigation and advocacy.

“I really enjoyed that project. It brought a lot of pride to present in class, despite being a small project.”

Her work reflects a broader understanding that security is not only about global threats, but also about addressing local and community-level challenges.

Representation, Culture and Trust

For Hoover, her Diné identity — the term many Navajo people use to describe themselves — is central to how she approaches her future career. It informs her understanding of community, responsibility and trust.

“I have seen firsthand the effects of negative circumstances on those around me,” she said. “It brings forward an enormous urge to help those who suffer from the same.”

She emphasizes that representation in security and intelligence fields is essential, particularly when working with Indigenous communities that have historically faced barriers to trust and access.

“I think representation brings trust,” she said. “Social implications on the reservation are different from everywhere else.”

Language is also an important part of that connection. While she describes herself as a reconnecting speaker, she recognizes the cultural significance of preserving and using the Navajo language.

“Navajo is a dying language,” she shared. “Language is essential to the people. Speaking and knowing who you are is a sign that you care for those who came before you.”

Even small efforts, she explained, can help build relationships.

“Knowing the language builds trust and familiarity, even if it's a simple hello!”

A Career Focused on Service

Looking ahead, Hoover plans to pursue a career in federal investigations, focusing on addressing crimes that affect the Navajo Nation and other underserved communities.

“There are many crimes that happen on the reservation,” she said. said. “I would like to address the number of missing people, sexual assaults, domestic violence and murders.”

She hopes to build experience in investigative work while also learning more about victim support — an area she sees as essential to creating meaningful change.

“I plan on entering investigation units to learn as much as I can.”

For Hoover, that commitment to learning aligns with her long-term goal of pursuing a federal career with the FBI, where she hopes to contribute to investigations on tribal land and create meaningful impact through understanding.

Moving Forward with Purpose

At Embry-Riddle, Hoover found a path that connects her academic interests with her personal values. Through her studies, she is gaining the skills needed to navigate complex global and local security challenges, while staying grounded in the community that shaped her.

Reflecting on her journey, she points to one defining moment: choosing to change her major and commit to a new direction.

“I am proud that I was brave enough to switch my major and commit.”

That decision set her on a path toward a career rooted in service, cultural understanding and impact.

Hoover is not only preparing for a future in global security — she is working toward a future where her knowledge and perspective can help protect and strengthen her community.