“The reason I chose the Public Service and Safety Leadership (PSSL) master’s program at Drury University was because I wanted courses that would help me be a better leader in my current and future roles and it did just that. Throughout the duration of this program, I learned many things that were directly applicable to my role as Director of the Paramedicine Department at Ozarks Technical Community College. 

The projects I completed in the classes were not only beneficial to the learning process, but also could be directly implemented in my department.   For example, planning is common in any field of study and more essential for public safety. I had been involved in strategic planning prior to taking the Strategic Planning and Evaluation course, but the class shed a new light on the process and significance of these activities. I was able to develop a strategic plan for our department that effectively aligned with OTC’s institutional plan and I’m confident that this plan will guide us for the next several years. Classes feature real-world projects and this is especially true in the capstone course where I created a “Comprehensive Wellness Program for Paramedics.” In my professional role, I prepare new paramedics for demanding careers and this capstone project helped me to develop and deliver an impactful and realistic learning experiences for my students.”

“The call to service and community arrived late for me as a college student. When I realized I had a strong desire to serve others and support their quality of life, I started to get involved in the local emergency response field.

My desire to serve my community solidified during my first experience with a natural disaster. The devastation that these events can bring is, at the very least, life changing. These experiences led me to the career field of emergency management.

As my career unfolded and I discovered that community needs were greater than any one person, I began to strategize on how to work with others to move mountains. My efforts started in Lawrence County with the development of the first “every county” Community Emergency Response Team. We built a training curriculum, promoted the class, and recruited community volunteers.

I developed a desire to shape policy and change the way we direct ourselves when disasters strike our community. I began to get involved in public safety associations and I eventually set a course for continued academic growth. That’s when I found Drury’s Master in Public Service and Safety Leadership. The program emphasizes the dynamic nature of preparing for emergencies and the leadership that’s required to lead community-focused responses. My capstone project, “Creating a Standard of Excellence Framework for Emergency Management”, integrates research to present a two-prong approach — education and incentives — to achieve a more prepared and resilient nation through emergency management programs.”

“Drury’s Master in Public Service and Safety Leadership program was special for me because I was able to take the knowledge I gained on leadership theories and styles back to my organization and apply them. The things I learned in this program pushed me to find problem areas in emergency services and law enforcement that were most important to me and figure out a way to solve those problems.

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of my cohort, the insights I gained into strategic planning, and the integrated approaches emphasized throughout the program, I gained the confidence to open a door to a conversation about creating a Public Safety Mental Health Awareness Initiative for first responders in the City of Lebanon. The City now has peer support teams with the police and fire departments.”