Bridging the Gap IAEM Series – Episode 9: Kevin Kupietz with Elizabeth City State University

In this special IAEM series of “Bridging the Gap,” our host Ron Crane speaks with Kevin Kupietz, PhD, Emergency Management Professor and Chair of the Department of Aviation and Emergency Management at Elizabeth City State University. Ron and Dr. Kupietz discuss challenges and opportunities in Emergency Management education.

Emergency Management for Undergraduate Students

Elizabeth City State University’s aviation program uniquely integrates manned flight education along with unmanned aircraft systems and emergency management. Aviation students can minor in emergency management, and many incorporate cybersecurity training, including drones, into public safety and Homeland Security projects. Involving students in these initiatives in hands-on environments helps them better understand current threats.

“The strength of our program and our small university is our students.“

Practical experience in emergency management education is applied in many ways throughout the courses. For example, students are deployed with nonprofit organizations and set up shelters during power outages during real-world disaster response.

The Elizabeth City State University program also focuses largely on understanding and integrating community engagement and public education to change perceptions and improve preparedness.

Challenges & Advice in Emergency Management Education

According to Dr. Kupietz, a significant challenge is recruiting high school students into Emergency Management undergraduate programs. Many students and their parents are unaware of the career opportunities in the field, and often students discover their interest in Emergency Management inadvertently when filling an elective course.

Another perceived issue for new Emergency Management graduates is job placement. It is challenging to secure high-level positions without experience, but students can find opportunities in private industry and related fields. Dr. Kupietz advises students to be open to entry-level positions to gain practical experience.

Practical experience for Emergency Management students helps them understand the challenges of various tasks and become familiar with technology and social media. These real-life experiences develop a broad skill set and enable collaboration with others.

To learn more about Elizabeth City State University’s Aviation and Emergency Management program, visit https://www.ecsu.edu/academics/dept-avi-em/index.php.

Meet the Experts Featured in This Podcast

Visit our Terms & Conditions