alumnus profile
2009
Travis Smith
breaking ground in national security
Rooted in his passion for the law and the need to make a difference in protecting our society, Travis Smith, a 2009 graduate of Oklahoma City University School of Law, has always known he wanted to work as an Assistant United States Attorney. “I attended law school because of the unique way it teaches people to think about issues, and I wanted to help others to find answers to their questions.” Today, not only has Travis achieved his goal by serving as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma since 2011, he has also served that office as the National Security/Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council Coordinator, and has now been selected to serve as the Countering Violent Extremism Coordinator for the Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA) in Washington, D.C.
intervention and training programs.” As the coordinator, he will work with communities on prevention and intervention approaches to violent extremist narratives, provide non-violent avenues for expressing grievances and help to educate communities about threats.
This new initiative provides legal and pragmatic guidance and support to United States Attorney’s Offices in numerous program areas. The division also assists in the development and dissemination of policy for the entire Department of Justice. “It is a groundbreaking position aimed at preventing violent extremism in the United States, and this position will coordinate the USAOs’ efforts with other federal agencies and provide technical assistance with
Travis looks back at his time in law school and the experiences it gave him. “I gained significant exposure to multiple international treaties and the legal principles that govern international law.” He was also able to take advantage of the externship opportunities offered. “The solid legal instruction, coupled with those practical experience opportunities allowed me to more fully understand my interests and how to approach the day-to-day life at my office.”
Travis has always been interested in national security. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve from 2001 to 2007 and participated in three coldweather survival exercises in Norway and Alaska. In wake of recent terrorist activity and attacks, there is a need to prevent extremists from radicalizing and mobilizing recruits within the United States and abroad. “Serving as the CVE Coordinator allows me to help improve our international and domestic efforts to counter violent extremism.”
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