Stellar Growth for Emergency Management

Omaha – My name is Hans M. Louis-Charles and I am the new assistant professor in the Emergency Services Program. My research focuses on global aspects of disaster management and during the Spring 2017 semester I will be teaching an undergraduate level course, EMGT 2500 Disasters and Vulnerable Populations, and a graduate level course, EMGT 8060 Planning, Preparedness, and Mitigation. Prior to joining UNO, I earned my doctorate degree from the University of Delaware. I also worked at the Disaster Research Center, the first and oldest center in the world devoted to the social scientific study of disasters. It is a great honor to join the exceptional faculty and staff at the College of Public Affairs and Community Service and the School of Public Administration.

The growth of the Emergency Services Program is truly remarkable since its inception in 2012. Today, the program has over 120 undergraduate majors and 40 undergraduate minors. Our undergraduate students are able to concentrate within 14 different fields, 12 of which can be a minor. We have 15 MPA students and our first PhD student specializing in Emergency Management.

We also have the unique offering of a Tribal Management and Emergency Services (TMES) minor or concentration. Our continued growth has led to a new certificate in TMES being approved on Dec. 1, 2017.

The success of the program is attributed to the strong support from CPACS and SPA; our award-winning academic advisor; highly reputable faculty; and our amazing students who reflect the diversity of the United States with an international contingent. Our student population includes 50% first generation, 30% minority and many non-traditional students.

This rich atmosphere has led to the creation of MavReady, a student organization that gives its members professional development opportunities while creating awareness in preparedness and response to emergencies on campus and in the community.