1. Growing and Maintaining the Emergency Management Program at The University of Akron Stacy L. Willett smuffet@uakron.edu Robert M. Schwartz rms73@uakron.edu

2. General Information Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management 62 majors Began enrolling students in 1998 FEMA based Two full time faculty (5 load and 4 load) Three part time faculty

3. The University of Akron: Graduation Data

4. Growth Variables Advisory Board Biannual meetings (fall and spring) Step Up format Roll into the program from “response related” Associate programs Articulation agreements

5. Program Marketing Brochures Career/ Major Information Sessions Student Referrals Community Involvement/ Relationships Accreditation

6. Networking Conferences Unpaid consulting/ Community service Alumni Advisory Board Internships EMA Hospital Business Non profits

7. Student Involvement IEMSA Exercises and Drills Plan development Research Internships Community based classroom projects Service Learning Practitioner guest speakers/ lecturers Training/ Certification programs Field Trips

8. Emergency Management Curriculum FEMA and responder oriented at conception Moving from “all in” to integrity based, rigorous program Evolution 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 needs

9. Lessons Learned Positives Quality, reputable programs take years to establish Qualified faculty involved in research High standards/ expectations for students Instilling research and critical skills for decision making early in the program Addition of Grant Writing course Step up and Articulation agreements make it more appealing University support Updated curriculum

10. Additional Lessons Learned Challenges Hiring pool Curriculum review Library resources Online versus Classroom Training versus education Moving students out of “response mode” to holistic thinking

11. Maintaining the Program Stand alone degree Emergency Management and Homeland Security Public, Private, and HS Tracks Center for Emergency Management and Homeland Security Policy Collaboration with CJ and Political Science Discussing Graduate Program