Presented by Terri L. Clay, MPA Assistant Professor

History of Savannah State University  founded as part of the Morrill Land Grant Act - legislation was passed creating the Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youth - the college originally operated in Athens, Georgia  October moved to its current permanent location in Savannah.  the first baccalaureate degree was awarded  the first female students were admitted as residents on campus.  became a full member institution of the University System of Georgia and renamed Georgia State College  the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia elevated the status of the college and changed the name to Savannah State University

History of Savannah State University Savannah State University, located in a coastal, urban, port city setting, serves residential and commuter students from diverse educational, geographical, and racial backgrounds. In a beautiful and unique setting of a live oak forest next to a salt marsh estuary, the University is well situated for the study of commercial, technological, environmental and urban issues.

History of Savannah State University The University serves a primarily African-American student population, enriched by a diversity of traditional and nontraditional students from other countries, cultures, and races. The University's mission is to graduate students prepared to perform at higher levels of economic productivity, social responsibility, and excellence in their chosen fields of endeavor in a changing global community. The educational goal is realized through program offerings in the College of Business Administration, the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, and the College of Sciences and Technology, which lead to baccalaureate, and master's degrees. Mission

History of Savannah State University Continue the original vision of a “value-added” approach to education as we use the principles of the past to guide our future. With the modern tools of today and our outstanding faculty, staff, administration, alumni and friends, we will not only provide academic and professional education, but we will seek to enhance our students’ self worth, social involvement and leadership skills through targeted programs. Vision

The HSEM Program The Homeland Security Emergency Management Program at Savannah State University is a progressive program designed to provide graduates with a comprehension of the theory and practice of homeland security and emergency management. Demonstrate knowledge of and competency in understanding the threat, vulnerabilities and consequences associated with natural and human-caused hazards, as well as, competence in oral and written communication, use of analytical and decision- making tools, organizational dynamics and team-building, and appropriate HSEM-specific technologies.

The HSEM Program Demonstrate an understanding of the functions, structure and processes of levels of government, their roles and responsibilities in homeland security and emergency management, and interactions with other governments and international groups and organizations. The Department of Political Science, Public Administration and Urban Studies, completed the development and the approval process of the Homeland Security Emergency Management Program for inclusion in the academic year.

The HSEM Program This program is unique in many ways: It is the only opportunity for students to obtain a bachelor degree in this major in the University System of Georgia. It combines both Homeland Security and Emergency Management into one curriculum. It was the first program developed in a Historically Black College and University.

The HSEM Program The program design is to prepare students with competencies necessary to work in an all-hazards preparedness environment. In addition to general competencies, our graduates will have distinctive competencies in addressing the socioeconomic and cultural diversity issues of homeland security and emergency management.

The HSEM Program Faculty This program is located in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Department of Political Science and Public Affairs and has the following staff: 1 – Assistant Professor (Program Director) 1 – Assistant Professor (full-time) 1 – Assistant Professor (shared with the Political Science Department)

The HSEM Program Mission The HSEM Program prepares students for leadership and careers in homeland security and emergency management or public policy with broad-based knowledge, skills, and abilities to leverage resources for the protection of lives and property in preparation for and in the occurrence of any type of disaster.

The HSEM Program Curriculum Students complete 125 hours of course work that includes core curriculum courses, homeland security emergency management specific courses, an opportunity to gain experience, and work with current incident management technologies. HSEM Core Courses Intro to HSEM Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Politics and Policy of HSEM Law and Ethics in HSEM Emergency Planning, Mitigation and Incident Management Diversity Issues in HSEM Terrorism in the Modern World Tools for Decision making in HSEM Effective HSEM Communication and Leadership HSEM Internship Senior Capstone Seminar

The HSEM Program HSEM Elective Courses HSEM 3122, International Humanitarian Law HSEM 3360, The Intelligence Community and the Intelligence Process HSEM 3400, Public Health Issues in HSEM HSEM 4000, Independent Study HSEM 4601, Topics in HSEM Curriculum

The HSEM Program Minor in Homeland Security and Emergency Management (15 hours) For students majoring in other disciplines. Requirements for the HSEM minor are: Assessing Risk and Vulnerability* Emergency Planning, Mitigation and Incident Management* Plus three additional HSEM courses at 3000-level or above. *HSEM 1101 is a pre- or co-requisite; it does not count toward hours for the minor. Curriculum

The HSEM Program Students

The HSEM Program Graduates

HSEM Program Future An on-line certificate program is being developed for distance learning students. It will consist of the following courses: Intro to HSEM Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Politics and Policy of HSEM Emergency Planning, Mitigation and Incident Management Effective HSEM Communication and Leadership This program provides a basic understanding of HSEM plus giving the student a foundation for completing the full course work and earn a Bachelor Degree at a time when convenient to them The future also holds the possibilities of developing a Masters Degree in HSEM to serve our undergraduate students and students from other colleges and universities with an interest to further their education in HSEM

HSEM Program DHS Grant Project The SSU Department of Political Science and Public Affairs, and its HSEM Program are involved in activities to strengthen integration of all-hazard vulnerability analysis -- across natural and human-caused hazards – and planning, particularly for disadvantaged and underserved populations. Collaborative faculty research is analyzing vulnerability and efficacy of various approaches to communicating hazard and protective measure messages to potentially impacted communities, compared to demographic data.

HSEM Program DHS Grant Project Curriculum development activities include preparation of course content focused on integration of hazard analysis methods or tools, allowing for comprehensive analysis of vulnerability combined with socioeconomic data. The program will use results from faculty research under this project and from DHS Centers of Excellence and other institutions, for development of instructional approaches to improve practice and education in the area of all- hazard planning for underserved and special needs populations.

HSEM Program DHS Grant Project Accomplishments and activities: Project faculty completed initial project research, including literature review, development of research methodology, and hazards and demographic data collection. Faculty developed project web page. Formal student involvement in the project began with one graduate student assisting with literature review during the summer of 2008 and four students receiving fellowships/scholarships in the fall of 2008 to assist with project research and activities (forms developed and applications received in spring 2008).

HSEM Program DHS Grant Project Accomplishments and activities (continued) : Faculty presented on the project and on initial demographic data at a workshop at the June 2008 Emergency Management Institute Higher Education Conference. The workshop provided an opportunity to engage in conversation with other emergency management academics on social vulnerability course content, project design, related research and texts, and special needs populations issues.

HSEM Program DHS Grant Project Accomplishments and activities (continued) : Faculty proposed and submitted a chapter for the Higher Education Conference 2008 proceedings publication. Faculty met with representatives of the Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) regarding project objectives and hazards data availability. Faculty planned a meeting with city of Savannah officials to review the project with representatives of the mayor’s office.

HSEM Program DHS Grant Project Accomplishments and activities (continued) : Four students participated in the October 2008 Science and Technology minority-serving institutions conference in Washington, D.C., where they gained good background on DHS Centers of Excellence and other research priorities. The students reported excellent networking opportunities from the meeting. Faculty and participating students generated reading and course content for HSEM 3140, Diversity Issues in HSEM, in preparation for delivery of course in spring semester 2009.

HSEM Program DHS Grant Project Year two accomplishments and activities to date: HSEM faculty delivered the course HSEM 3140, Diversity Issues in HSEM, in spring semester Four students continued participation in the project with fellowship/scholarship support. Faculty and students identified target neighborhoods for survey data collection through examination of social vulnerability factors identified in social vulnerability literature.

HSEM Program DHS Grant Project Year two accomplishments and activities to date (continued) : Faculty and students collaborated to develop initial survey to collect information about target populations’ understanding of hazards and sources of information about hazards and emergency preparedness activities. Faculty and students piloted the draft survey with one Chatham County neighborhood association, with approximately 30 completed survey results.

HSEM Program DHS Grant Project Year three goals and objectives: Complete any remaining data collection needed. Analyze survey data and identify and address gaps or discrepancies. Combine/compare survey results with initial demographic and hazards data. Develop draft report of project findings. Report to county and city officials on draft findings of project.

HSEM Program DHS Grant Project Year three goals and objectives (continued) : Present findings of project as appropriate at local, regional and national meetings; involve students as feasible. Evaluate and refine course content for HSEM Identify learning objectives or insertion points in HSEM bachelor’s curriculum and/or Urban Studies and Planning master’s curriculum. Develop final project report and submit article(s) on findings for publication.

The Homeland Security Emergency Management Program at Savannah State University though a new program is advancing in its student numbers, involvement in the community, and research capabilities. The university by the sea, where You can get anywhere from here!