UCF School of Public Administration

🌪️ How can communities better prepare for hurricanes before disaster strikes? The Hurricane Season has officially begun on June 1, 2026, and will end on November 30, 2026.

In this edition of Research in 60 Seconds, Dr. Chris Emrich, Boardman Endowed Professor of Environmental Science and Public Administration, shares how his research helps communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural hazards.

Watch as he breaks down years of research into one minute and highlights why resilience starts long before the storm arrives. ⛈️🏡

🎬 👇 https://youtu.be/-KpF2nfmYC4?si=S0ZK3AEy8tN-vFLE

Read the article here: https://www.ucf.edu/news/research-in-60-seconds-how-to-prepare-for-hurricanes/

University of Central Florida UCF College of Community Innovation and Education

Research in 60 Seconds | What Do You Do When a Hurricane Comes? How do you really prepare when a hurricane is about to hit? 🌀As h...

🌎📊 Join us in highlighting the work of SPA faculty member Dr. Chris Emrich, who will be presenting "International Practices to Estimate Hazards Losses" at the 2026 Natural Hazards Research and Applications Workshop, Researchers Meeting, and Practitioners Meeting.

📅 June 16, 2026
🕒 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
More info: https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fhazards.colorado.edu%2Fworkshop%2F2026%2Fsession%2Finternational-practices-to-estimate-hazards-losses&data=05%7C02%7CJulia.Fong%40ucf.edu%7C0f3d2d8052654554c05508decba620ff%7Cbb932f15ef3842ba91fcf3c59d5dd1f1%7C0%7C0%7C639172111643393259%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=kh%2FbQ%2B%2BDgl2y8FX5gL1JyZHqOnYwcHwSiXT2qOvUQvU%3D&reserved=0

If you are attending the conference, we encourage you to join the session. Please feel free to share this post with colleagues, researchers, practitioners, and students interested in hazard mitigation, resilience, and emergency management.

🎉 Congratulations to SPA alumni and IDignity Program Assistant, Nelson A. Medina on celebrating his first anniversary with the organization!

We are proud to see our students making a meaningful impact in the community while advancing their professional careers.

Thank you, Nelson, for your dedication to service and community engagement. 👏

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👏🏼Congratulations to Emergency Management student Daisy Cadet for her recent article featured in Domestic Preparedness!

Her piece, “Bridging the Accessibility Gap in Emergency Management,” highlights the importance of inclusive practices and accessibility in disaster preparedness and response.

See article: https://www.domesticpreparedness.com/articles/bridging-the-accessibility-gap-in-emergency-management/?utm_source=DomesticPreparedness&utm_campaign=72d0647eb6-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_1_14_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-bea7c13990-604836561&mc_cid=72d0647eb6

We are proud to see our students contributing meaningful perspectives to the field of emergency management. 🌎🚨

🚨🌴 The School of Public Administration is heading to the Florida Training for Emergency Management Symposium next week!

Three of our faculty members will be presenting our school, Dr. Claire Connolly Knox, Ph.D. Dr. Romeo Lavarias, and Dr. Sanam Aksha, Ph.D.

📍 Be sure to stop by Booth 505 on Tuesday and Wednesday to learn more about our Emergency Management programs, connect with our faculty, and explore the impactful work happening at SPA.

👉 Learn more here: https://web.cvent.com/event/ceb90fe1-0519-4d89-95e1-708fc564583b/websitePage:353a7424-bfd6-4ea0-bad4-20e1534f303b

We look forward to connecting with emergency management professionals, students, and partners from across the state!

🌏🇰🇷 Learning beyond the classroom!

Last week, our graduate students participated in the Governance Field Study: Metropolitan Governance in Seoul through the Seoul Case Study Program (SCSP), an immersive international experience hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the University of Seoul.

Through site visits, policy discussions, and firsthand exposure to Seoul’s innovative governance and city management strategies, students are gaining a global perspective on public administration, urban leadership, and metropolitan governance. 🌆📚

Experiences like these prepare future public service leaders to think globally, lead strategically, and create meaningful impact in their communities. ✨

Pictures from Day 1 - Cultural Orientation - Korean Cultural Experiences
Faculty Lead Dr. Seongho An

🌏🇰🇷 Learning beyond the classroom!

Last week, our graduate students participated in the Governance Field Study: Metropolitan Governance in Seoul through the Seoul Case Study Program (SCSP), an immersive international experience hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the University of Seoul.

Through site visits, policy discussions, and firsthand exposure to Seoul’s innovative governance and city management strategies, students are gaining a global perspective on public administration, urban leadership, and metropolitan governance. 🌆📚

Experiences like these prepare future public service leaders to think globally, lead strategically, and create meaningful impact in their communities. ✨

Pictures from Day 1 - Cultural Orientation - Korean Cultural Experiences
Faculty Lead Dr. Seongho An
Group: Ashley Benedict, Rhianna Botelho, Lindy Madden Anderson, Gianna P. Suchana P.
Selena Slaughter

🎓✨ May is a month of celebration, milestones, and well-deserved recognition as we continue honoring the incredible achievements of our students.

Congratulations to our Spring graduates from the Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning (MSURP)! 🌎🏙️ 💛
Your hard work, dedication, and passion for shaping stronger and more sustainable communities have led you to this exciting accomplishment.

We are proud to celebrate this milestone with you!