A record-breaking snowstorm is pummeling the community with over six feet of snow in some areas. Hundreds of vehicles are stuck on major roadways, many buried under snowdrifts. The snow is relentless, and calls for emergency services continue to mount.
As a leader in the response effort,
your decision-making is critical.
BUT WHERE DO YOU START?
MIKE ROGOWSKI ’14, a volunteer firefighter with the Clarence Center Fire Company, feels he is well prepared for such a scenario after earning his B.S. in homeland security degree online from Medaille College. During a five-week capstone project, Rogowski and his fellow online students had to confront a series of disastrous events that, while fictitious, were loosely based on real events that have occurred in the past, such as Western New York’s November snowstorm. “The homeland security program coursework and structure provide the education needed for work as a first responder,” he says. The program covers emergency services, as well as man-made disasters and natural disasters, and how to be prepared for them.” Rogowski was among Medaille’s recent homeland security degree candidates who worked in teams for 24 hours a day over a five-week period. The students tracked news stories on a series of calamities that beset a fictitious city called “Medailleville.” These included everything from major snowstorms to terror threats. Members of the team then connected with one another to decide if and how to react. A portion of the students’ grade was based on their ability to make the right decisions in critical situations. STEPPING IT UP We constantly read and hear about disastrous events — ISIS, Ebola, the polar vortex. These are just a few of the threats to the health and safety of our nation’s communities that the Department of Homeland Security must deal with every day. And they are on the rise. As a result, department efforts have been stepped up across the country and the field of homeland security is one of the fastestgrowing areas of today’s job market. Recognizing the critical need for more trained professionals with the knowledge and skills to help protect our communities, Medaille College began its online curriculum leading to a bachelor of science degree in homeland security. Now, beginning in January 2015, the College will also offer the homeland security program in the classroom at the Buffalo and Rochester campuses. 24 Medaille Magazine I Spring 2015
“We teach the theories and tools needed to prepare for, to prevent and ultimately to recover from all types of disasters,” explains Steven MacMartin, director of Medaille’s homeland security program and a clinical assistant professor. “Homeland security means being ready for anything — terrorism, natural disasters, national health issues. Our program provides students with an upper hand for many related careers.” Medaille’s unique degree program addresses the security needs of public and private organizations on the local, regional and national level. The curriculum focuses 100 percent of its coursework on specific disciplines related to homeland security, such as law enforcement and emergency preparedness. Four core areas include administration, terrorism, law and international policy, and emergency and disaster response. TAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL Ask Melaney Agahiu ’14 what she does for a living and she might easily reply, “I protect our country.” As a Master Sergeant with the 914 Air Wing of the United States Air Force in Niagara Falls, NY, Agahiu is responsible for making sure the air base is current, qualified and mission-ready. Her job involves performing inspections and leading exercises to ensure the base is always prepared for duty. Agahiu recently earned her degree in homeland security online from Medaille and sees it as the next step to further her military career and continue her commitment to serve her country. “Ever since the events of 9/11, I have wanted to get more involved in protecting our country,” she explains. “The Medaille homeland security degree will help me advance my Air Force career, as the military promotes and requires education for job and leadership opportunities.” Master Sergeant Agahiu says the online homeland security program was quite challenging, but it gave her the flexibility to fit the coursework into her busy schedule. A working mother, she notes the consistency and framework of the program is designed to help students like her to be successful in obtaining a degree.