Jacksonville, AL – As originally reported by Brett Buckner of JSU’s Media Department, Dr. Mark Landahl, Associate Professor of Emergency Management at Jacksonville State University, has been named the 2025 recipient of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Award in Emergency Management and Homeland Security. This national recognition was presented during the annual Emergency Management Higher Education Symposium and is sponsored by the University of Central Florida School of Public Administration.
The SoTL award is one of three national honors given at the symposium, alongside the Wayne Blanchard Award for Career Achievement (sponsored by North Dakota State University) and the Kay Goss Award for Technology Innovation (sponsored by Arkansas Tech University). The SoTL award specifically acknowledges excellence in research that enhances teaching practices in the fields of emergency management and homeland security.
“The award is also not just based on teaching,” Dr. Landahl explained. “It is based on research that informs scholarly teaching—essentially, discovery related to how teaching happens.”
Dr. Landahl, who joined JSU’s faculty full-time in fall 2023, was nominated for the honor by a colleague in the field. Though this is his first full-time academic appointment, Dr. Landahl has more than two decades of experience in higher education, having previously taught as an adjunct while working in law enforcement and emergency management roles.
His recent work includes a FEMA-funded research project conducted with Dr. Stacy Willett of the University of Akron. The study focused on the role of internships in emergency management and homeland security education, and its findings were published by FEMA. The two researchers are continuing to develop related publications to further contribute to the field.
“As we navigate coming change in emergency management, the link between education and professional practice is more important than ever,” Dr. Landahl said. “This recognition means a lot and is inspiring me as someone so close to professional practice.”
Throughout his career, Dr. Landahl has maintained a practitioner-scholar identity, integrating teaching, research, and service in public safety. He previously held leadership roles as a law enforcement commander and emergency management director while also contributing to academic research and publishing.
Dr. Tanveer Islam, Chair of Emergency Management and Public Administration at JSU, commended the national recognition as a testament to Dr. Landahl’s contributions to both academia and the profession.
“Dr. Landahl has brought a wealth of experience in law enforcement and homeland security,” said Dr. Islam. “This prestigious honor is a true testament to his exceptional ability to bridge academic teaching and research with real-world practice.”
Dr. Islam added that Dr. Landahl is expected to continue advancing the field through innovative teaching and impactful scholarship, benefitting both students and the broader emergency management community.
Reflecting on his teaching philosophy, Dr. Landahl emphasized the dynamic nature of the discipline. “It is a dynamic field that changes with each disaster,” he said. “Students connect with current and relevant content that helps prepare them for their current positions in the field.”
The recognition marks a significant milestone in Dr. Landahl’s academic journey and underscores the importance of integrating applied experience with scholarly inquiry in emergency management education.
