New London - The superintendent of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy has been appointed to the Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council and named one of the "150 Women Who Shake the World."

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano appointed Rear Adm. Sandra L. Stosz to the council, which comprises prominent university presidents and academic leaders and charged with advising the secretary and the department's senior leadership.

"Stosz's extensive experience and expertise will make her a valuable asset to the council," Napolitano said in a statement. "I look forward to working with her on these critical issues."

Stosz will provide advice and recommendations on student and recent graduate recruitment, international students, academic research, campus and community resiliency, security and preparedness and faculty exchanges. The group's first meeting is on March 20 in Washington, D.C.

Newsweek recently named Stosz as one of the "150 Women Who Shake the World." Stosz, the first female superintendent of a U.S. military academy, was credited with "knocking down gender barriers in the U.S. military since she joined more than 30 years ago."

- Jennifer McDermott