Jacksonville, AL – In a groundbreaking development, Jacksonville State University (JSU) has extended its partnership with the FEMA Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP), solidifying their commitment to joint research, internships, and academic endeavors until 2032.
Leaders from both institutions convened on January 19, engaging in discussions to enhance the existing rapport between JSU and CDP. The collaborative spirit was sealed with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by CDP Superintendent Tony Russell and JSU Provost Christie Shelton.
As part of this renewed alliance, JSU has undertaken to provide complimentary college credit to CDP students enrolled in specific courses at the CDP. These credits can be applied as elective courses towards a bachelor’s or master’s degree within JSU’s esteemed emergency management programs. Simultaneously, JSU students will retain the privilege of delving into research opportunities utilizing CDP facilities and training data, along with participating in internships aligning with their academic and professional aspirations.
Dr. Shelton underscored the significance of collaboration, expressing the joint commitment to maximizing student engagement with CDP activities. Approximately 560 students have already earned academic credit through CDP training, highlighting the impact of this collaboration on educational opportunities.
Russell emphasized the symbiotic nature of the partnership, emphasizing the fusion of academic knowledge with practical expertise. “This is an important partnership, as it brings together the academic with the practitioner. You have to have both of those to shape the future of preparedness, response, and recovery – and to really impact the national goal of a secure nation,” he remarked.
Situated at JSU McClellan, in close proximity to the CDP, the Jax State Department of Emergency Management and Public Administration is renowned for its top-ranked online bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs offered globally. JSU is distinguished as the sole provider of the Doctor of Science in Emergency Management program in Alabama and one of the few across the nation. The department’s strategic location facilitates seamless collaboration with the CDP, which annually imparts all-hazards training to over 50,000 emergency responders.
In a bid to further support the emergency services sector, JSU operates the First Responder Scholarship Program. This initiative extends scholarships to eligible full-time employees of law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and other emergency services, embodying the university’s commitment to fostering excellence in emergency response and management. The extended partnership with the CDP solidifies JSU’s position as a pioneer in advancing education and research at the intersection of academia and emergency preparedness.
