欧美视频

By Janice Phelan, September 12, 2024

            Luke Ekstrand, a spring 2024 graduate of the 欧美视频鈥檚 Crisis and Disaster Management (CDM) program, gained a number of valuable experiences in his practicum with the City of Independence ranging from assisting with community outreach at the Missouri State Fair to participating in a family and friends reunification exercise in Kansas City.

 

            Ekstrand, who is now working as the deputy director of emergency management for Johnson County (Mo.), earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Crisis and Disaster Management with a minor in Earth Science from UCM. The CDM degree program was a factor in his decision to attend UCM along with its proximity to his home and the Legacy Scholarship he received as the son of UCM graduates.

 

            The recent graduate鈥檚 supervisor at the City of Independence was Janelle Scofield, the city鈥檚 assistant emergency manager. As Ekstrand began his 300-hour practicum, the two worked together to determine what he wanted to accomplish before graduation.

 

            Scofield called the practicum experience a win-win situation for both students and employers.

 

            鈥淲e gain a sometimes younger perspective from someone that hasn't been in the profession so these fresh eyes and fresh ideas are so welcome,鈥� she shared. 鈥淔or the students, we offer networking with emergency managers throughout the Kansas City region. Getting these students face to face with prospective bosses was paramount for us.鈥�

            Ekstrand added that he especially appreciated the networking and interactions.

 

            鈥淥ne of the biggest benefits I gained from UCM and the CDM program was connecting with like-minded individuals,鈥� he said. 鈥淢y practicum further benefited me by introducing me to emergency managers in our region. I had the opportunity to network with professionals from both Kansas and Missouri through numerous meetings. Now, as I work in the field, I continue to collaborate with some of those individuals.鈥�

 

            Much of the work in emergency management can be tedious, and Scofield said it is important for students to see the value in this aspect of the job.

            鈥淲riting plans and attending meetings are important but they lack disaster response glory so it can be eye-opening for someone to see how much office and networking work is involved,鈥� she said. 鈥淢ostly, I truly believe that we are able to bridge that gap between what students learn in textbooks and the day-to-day 鈥榠n real life鈥� aspects.鈥�

 

            Scofield added that the City of Independence looks forward to working with additional UCM students in the future. In fact, she is returning to UCM this fall to complete her CDM bachelor鈥檚 degree and will graduate in May 2025.

 

Both Ekstrand and Scofield appreciated the opportunity to work together, especially since the two are long-time family friends.

 

鈥淭he opportunity was particularly meaningful to me because Independence is my former hometown,鈥� Ekstrand said.   

 

Coincidentally, when Ekstrand was graduating from high school he met with Scofield to discuss his career plans and emergency management.

 

鈥淲e spoke about his strengths and interests and I felt like emergency management was a perfect fit for his skill set,鈥� she said. 鈥淔ast forward a few years and one pandemic later, I was thrilled when I had the chance to have him in our office for his practicum.鈥�

 

For more information about UCM鈥檚 Crisis and Disaster Management program, visit thewebpage..