Volume I | Spring 2022
Department News & Updates
EM Master's Program Ranks # 1
Our Master's Program in Emergency Management holds # 1 rank in 2022 following the same ranking in 2021. Intelligent.com analyzed 154 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 28 making it to the final list.

2022 U.S. News Ranking
JSU ranks #218 among the Best Graduate Public Affairs programs in 2022 U.S. News & World Report Ranking. We offer a NASPAA accredited MPA program with concentrations in EM, GIS, Criminal Justice, Political Science, Education & Administrative Management.

EM Doctor of Science Program
With 7 graduates in Fall 2021, we now have a total of 21 doctoral graduates in the past 10 years since the D.Sc. program inception. Electronic copies of EM dissertations are now available through JSU Digital Commons.

New EM Doctoral Program Directors
Dr. Alessandra Jerolleman is the new Director of Doctoral Program in Emergency Management beginning of Spring 2022. Also, Dr. Shih-Kai Huang (Sky) will serve as the Assistant Director. Congratulations!
New Faculty and Staff
Dr. Laura Olson joins as a full-time faculty member (Visiting Professor) in Spring 2022. Previously, she was a Distinguished Affiliate Professor in the EM Doctoral Program. Dr. Olson received her Ph.D. in Public Administration from George Washington University in 2012.
The Department welcomes several new faculty and staff on board!
Cassie Ward, MBA joins as an Adjunct Faculty. She is the Director of Advanced Services at JSU.
Brad McGriff, MS joins as an adjunct faculty. He is the Director of Systems & Security at JSU.
Matthew McFall, MS joins as an adjunct faculty. He is also a doctoral student in EM from 2016 cohort.



Belinda Chitwood
Administrative Assistant


Faculty Updates
IAEM Region IV Presidential Citation
Dr. Jane Kushma was recently awarded Presidential Citation by International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Region IV. Congratulations, Dr. Kushma!
New Book Edition published
EM Distinguished Affiliate Professor, Dr. David McEntire published the 3rd edition of his book 'Disaster Response & Recovery' from Wiley.

New Research Article
Dr. Arjola Balilaj recently co-authored and published an article in the Journal of Risk, Hazards and Crisis in Public Policy.

IEEE Conference Paper
Dr. Tanveer Islam co-authored "Smart City Technology for Disaster Management: Demonstrating the Use of BLE Beacons for Emergency Alert Dissemination" at 2022 IEEE Consumer Communications & Networking Conference.

Interview with Dr. Jerolleman
Dr. Alessandra Jerolleman talks about Compassion, Grieving and Being Human: The Path through Recovery with Justice in a recent interview/blog with FAC Net.

National Climate Assessment
Dr. Jerolleman is one of the chapter authors of the 5th National Climate Assessment (NCA5), currently underway. Public review and comments are now open till February 20, 2022.

Preparedness for Alabama Resilience Summit
Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) recently organized the Preparedness for Alabama Resilience Summit in Montgomery bringing together all stakeholders in the state. Dr. Tanveer Islam served on the panel for preparedness and resiliency educational outreach at the summit.
Professor Emeritus
Former Department Head, Dr. Jeff Ryan was awarded Professor Emeritus in the Fall 2021 Graduation Ceremony. Congratulations, Dr. Ryan!

©Matt Reynolds/JSU
Pictures from the Commencement Reception for Fall 2021 Graduates
Academic Calendar:
Full Spring 2022 Term
  • Jan 12-Classes Begin-Late Registration Fee Charged
  • Jan 17-Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Observed-University offices closed
  • Jan 18-Payment Due
  • Jan 18-Last Day to Register or Add a Class
  • Jan 18-Last Day to Drop a Class and Receive a Refund
  • Jan 18-Last Day to Withdraw from all Courses and Receive 100% Tuition Refund
  • Jan 18-Last Day to Apply for Spring Graduation
  • Mar 3-Midterm Grades Due
  • Mar 21-25-Spring Break-University offices closed
  • Apr 1-Last Day to Drop a Class or Withdraw
  • Apr 27-Last Day of Class
  • Apr 28-May 4-Final Exams
  • May 6-Grades Due by 10:00 AM
  • May 6-Degree Conferral