Building and Improving the Emergency Management Program at The University of Akron Robert M. Schwartz, Ph.D. The University of Akron

Background Bachelor of Science in Emergency ManagementBachelor of Science in Emergency Management Major, Minor, CertificateMajor, Minor, Certificate 65 majors65 majors Began enrolling students in 1998Began enrolling students in 1998 –FEMA based Two full time facultyTwo full time faculty Three adjunct facultyThree adjunct faculty

Program Variables Step Up formatStep Up format –Roll into the program from “response related” Associate programs Articulation agreementsArticulation agreements

Recruiting and Marketing BrochuresBrochures University webpageUniversity webpage University Sponsored College DaysUniversity Sponsored College Days NetworkingNetworking Community Involvement/RelationshipsCommunity Involvement/Relationships AccreditationAccreditation

Student Involvement IAEMIAEM Exercises and DrillsExercises and Drills ResearchResearch InternshipsInternships Community based classroom projectsCommunity based classroom projects –Service Learning Practitioner guest speakers/lecturersPractitioner guest speakers/lecturers Training/Certification programsTraining/Certification programs Field TripsField Trips

Emergency Management Curriculum FEMA and responder oriented at conceptionFEMA and responder oriented at conception Moving from “all in” to integrity based, rigorous programMoving from “all in” to integrity based, rigorous program Evolution of Emergency Management needsEvolution of Emergency Management needs –Private (Business Continuity) –Non-Profits (Red Cross and others) –Public Health (Hospitals and Public Health Agencies) –Technology evolution (dedicated lab for teaching, research and EOC applications) Curriculum that looks to the future of Emergency Management and the changing market needsCurriculum that looks to the future of Emergency Management and the changing market needs

Successful Strategies Quality, reputable programs take years to establishQuality, reputable programs take years to establish Faculty involved in researchFaculty involved in research High standards/expectations for studentsHigh standards/expectations for students Instilling research and critical skills for decision making early in the programInstilling research and critical skills for decision making early in the program Step up and Articulation agreementsStep up and Articulation agreements Updated curriculumUpdated curriculum

Challenges Budgets and resourcesBudgets and resources Small faculty, heavy load, larger classesSmall faculty, heavy load, larger classes Hiring poolHiring pool Curriculum reviewCurriculum review Library resourcesLibrary resources Online vs. ClassroomOnline vs. Classroom Training vs. EducationTraining vs. Education Moving students out of “response mode” to holistic thinkingMoving students out of “response mode” to holistic thinking

Present and Future Stand alone degreeStand alone degree Emergency Management and Homeland Security (Public, Private, and HS Tracks)Emergency Management and Homeland Security (Public, Private, and HS Tracks) Center for Emergency Management and Homeland Security Policy ResearchCenter for Emergency Management and Homeland Security Policy Research Collaboration with other programs (CJ and Political Science)Collaboration with other programs (CJ and Political Science) Graduate ProgramGraduate Program