How will I know if this program is right for me?
- Do you like to help people in need?
- Are you concerned about helping socially vulnerable people - those with low-incomes or disabilities, the elderly, single-parent families?
- Do you like to work with your hands?
- Are you interested in learning what it takes for people to recover from a disaster - emotionally, physically, and spiritually?
- Do you want to show God's love to people through your words and deeds?
If your answers to these questions are "yes," the Disaster Management program may be for you.
How did this program start?
The Disaster Management program began at Hesston College in the fall of 2005 as a cooperative venture between Hesston and Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS). With the increase in disasters, and the resulting victimization and economic losses, MDS and other faith-based agencies are recognizing the need for trained leadership in managing disaster response and recovery. Why Hesston College? Hesston College's mission statement states that we "integrate thought, life, and faith for service to others in the church and the world." Also, MDS began in Hesston more than 50 years ago when two Sunday School classes met to discuss how they could best serve others.
Kevin King, executive director of MDS, shared with college officials that he envisioned students coming out of the program who could articulate the MDS mission and knew the organization well, who had passion for helping socially vulnerable people, who could communicate well, who knew something about disaster response, who could help others to broaden their acceptance of people who are different from themselves, who knew the Anabaptist heritage, who could help to resolve conflicts, and who could step into leadership roles. The courses in the Disaster Management program reflect Kevin's vision.
What makes Hesston College special?
There is no better place for students to spend their first two college years than at Hesston College. At the only two-year institution owned by Mennonite Church USA, students find exciting academic choices, individualized guidance, a Christian heritage, a caring community, and many leadership opportunities. Our nearly 500 students represent more than 25 religious affiliations, 30 states, and 15 countries. The student to faculty ratio is 14 to 1 and the average class size is 20.
What is Mennonite Disaster Service?
Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) is a faith-based agency that responds to disasters by providing volunteer labor for cleanup, repair, and reconstruction of homes. MDS believes that volunteering is a means of touching lives and helping disaster survivors regain faith and wholeness. MDS places special emphasis on helping low-income families, single parents, the elderly, and those with disabilities.
What different options are available for the Disaster Management students
at Hesston?
Most students who enter the Disaster Management Program at Hesston will receive the associate of arts (A.A.) degree, and will transfer to a four-year school. We also offer a two-year associate of applied arts and sciences (A.A.A.S.) degree and a one-year certificate for those who do not wish to go on to a four-year school after Hesston.
What scholarships are available?
Up to $5,000 per year will be made available for eligible students enrolled in the Disaster Management program. As part of the curriculum, students are required to serve a minimum term of service of 10 weeks with MDS for each year in the program.
What courses are required for an A.A. degree?
General education requirements are: College Writing I, Biblical Literature, College Orientation/Success, Speech Communication, social science course (choice), Environmental Biology, Fitness Concepts, Introduction to Computers (if needed), history course (choice), Anabaptist History and Thought, humanities course (choice), College Algebra or Elementary Statistics, Principle of Physical Science, and Microeconomics.
Disaster management and related course requirements include: Introduction to Disaster Response; MDS Culture I, II, III, and IV; Introduction to Social Welfare; Social Diversity of Families; Conflict Resolution; Disaster Management Leadership Development; The Helping Relationship; Group Communication; Interpersonal Communication; Business Management; 10-week Summer Field Experience; and 10-week Summer Internship.
This course of study will meet most general education transfer requirements of undergraduate programs. It will also meet basic requirements in baccalaureate disaster management programs across the country.
What kinds of things will students learn about and do in the MDS Culture
classes?
Students will learn about the history of MDS, the workings of the organization, the roles of volunteers and staff, planning a project, identifying clients, relating to disaster survivors, working with long-term recovery committees, and construction basics. As part of MDS Culture II, the class will build a playhouse together, and sell it at the Kansas MCC Sale in Hutchinson. This will give the students valuable construction skills while having fun at the same time.
The students also participate in local service projects during the school year, such as cleaning up branches after a windstorm or fixing up a house of a low-income person.
What will the students do in summer field assignments?
As part of the curriculum, the students will work at MDS project sites for 10 weeks in the summers. After the freshman year, they will participate in a “field experience,” learning all phases of the MDS project experience including office work, construction, cooking, case finding, crew leading, spiritual life, and interagency cooperation. They will get to know many short and long-term volunteers, and will interact with disaster survivors. During the summer after the sophomore year, they will focus on particular areas and will be given more responsibilities at the project sites.
What majors at a four-year college would build on the Hesston College Disaster Management program?
One option is to pursue a Disaster Management Degree from a four-year college and university. This is a relatively new field, but the number of schools offering the major is growing. University of North Texas, Arkansas Tech, and the University of Akron (Ohio) are a few universities that have excellent undergraduate programs.
Other majors that complement the DM program are social work, sociology, political science, public administration, geography, psychology, international relations, business, and mass communications.
What jobs are available in the disaster management field?
The disaster management field is growing rapidly, and many jobs are available now, with new jobs currently being developed. Local emergency managers, social workers, psychologists, EMTs, mass care workers, case managers, damage assessors, building and repair contractors, volunteer trainers, counselors, and researchers are needed.
Agencies like FEMA, the Red Cross, and Salvation Army need workers, as do faith-based agencies like MDS, Church World Service, Lutheran Disaster Response, and United Methodist Committee on Relief. Many businesses are hiring disaster planners. Insurance companies need people with disaster management experience. College professors with disaster management backgrounds are needed to fill positions in this growing field.
How can students serve with MDS after they get degrees?
A term of service as a long-term volunteer (two to six months) right after college is certainly an option. The opportunity to serve as project director may come along at some point in students’ lives. Some jobs or careers might allow for a period of time to do some short- or long-term volunteer work. Some students may end up as regional directors, unit coordinators, or as church contact people. Our hope is that everyone will become long-term supporters of the work of MDS.
What if students transfer to a college after Hesston and pursue a degree not related to disaster management? Is there still benefit in going through the program at Hesston?
Most of the classes taken at Hesston will transfer to a four-year school, either directly or as electives. Students will have a good foundation of classes that will serve them well regardless of the professions they choose. Courses in the fields of communication, sociology, and religion, as well as others, will stay with the students throughout their lives. This program is an excellent way to serve others while getting a quality education at the same time. Their experiences during these two years will prepare them for a lifetime of service to others in the name of Christ.
For more information
- contact Russ Gaeddert
- Director of Disaster Management
Box 3000
Hesston, Kansas 67062-2093
Office phone: 620-327-8294
Home phone: 620-663-1240
E-mail: russg@hesston.edu