Developed and Instructed by Paula D. Gordon, Ph.D.
3-WEEK COURSES:
- “Transforming and Leading Organizations and Organized Efforts in the Time of the Coronavirus Pandemic”
- “The Effects & Impacts of Marijuana Use: Policies & Approaches Addressing the Challenges”
4-WEEK COURSES:
- “Planning and Preparedness for Homeland Security and Emergency Management Post 9/11 and Post-Katrina and in the Time of the Coronavirus Pandemic”
- “Unmet Needs and Challenges: Some Key Challenges Facing Homeland Security and Emergency Management Post 9/11 and Post Katrina and in the Time of the Coronavirus Pandemic”
- “Key Elements of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Continuity Post 9/11 and Post Katrina in the Time of the Coronavirus Pandemic”
- “A National Public Health Disaster: Drug Abuse, Addiction, and the Opioid Crisis~ The Role that Marijuana Use and Legalization are Playing”
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS AND REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Transforming and Leading Organizations and Organized Efforts in the Time of the Coronavirus Pandemic (3-Week Online Course)
Course Description: “Transforming and Leading Organizations” is designed to help leaders, managers, and drug abuse prevention activists hone their abilities and problem-solving skills in ways that help them have greater success in accomplishing their goals. Approaches to fostering healthy change; utilizing educational change strategies; communicating effectively; understanding the perspectives of those with differing values, information, and objectives; and resolving conflicts will all be addressed in the course. A focus of the course in 2020 is on how these approaches can be applied most effectively to addressing challenges such as the drug crisis and the Coronavirus pandemic. For a copy of the article that has given the course its name, see “Transforming and Leading Organizations,” published in Government Transformation, Winter 2004-05 issue posted at http://users.rcn.com/pgordon/homeland/transforming_orgs.pdf or see link at http://gordonhomeland.com. Dr. Gordon’s Dissertation, “Public Administration in the Public Interest” and her Masters’ Thesis, “Leadership Behavior in Task-Oriented Work Groups”, are also featured readings.
Dates Offered 2020: June 15 – July 5, 2020; August 3 – 23, 2020; October 5 – 25, 2020; and October 26 – November 15, 2020
Registration Fee: $300
A 10% discount is available for five or more registrants from the same organization when registered by one person from that organization.
For more information and to register, go to http://www.auburn.edu/outreach/opce/tlo/ and http://www.auburn.edu/outreach/opce/tlo/#schedulereg or call (334) 844-5100.
RECENT TESTIMONIALS TRANSFORMING AND LEADING ORGANIZATIONS:
“Dr. Paula Gordon is one of the best instructors. She has a wealth of knowledge of leadership experience and documentation. I feel that I am more equipped to be an effective leader and show others how to lead as well. I am honored and happy that she was my instructor…”Nathaniel B.
“The major things I am taking with me from this course are leadership skills to put into my kit bag, and I am also embracing the knowledge that leadership begins with me.
One thing that I did not know when I began this course is that my leadership accountability is not just to those under me, but it is also to those that are my peers and those that are my superiors…” T.B.
The Effects & Impacts of Marijuana Use: Policies & Approaches Addressing the Challenges (3-Week Online Course)
Course Description: In this three-week online course has been designed to help arm those who are concerned about the harmful effects of marijuana and about the negative individual and societal impacts of the legalization of marijuana is having on individuals, families, communities, and on society. The course has also been designed to help expand the knowledge and understanding of those who are working to address the problem of recreational drug use and addiction in America so that they can be as successful as possible in their efforts. The course is also designed to help those in the position of public responsibility understand the wide range of harmful mental and physical effects of marijuana as well as societal impacts. New research will be highlighted concerning ways in which marijuana use is rendering users more susceptible to the coronavirus and its most serious effects. The course also highlights policy and program options that have been working and what options might be tried to achieve the hoped-for outcome of turning around current trends involving the use marijuana in America.
Dates Offered 2020: July 6 – 26, 2020; August 3 -23, 2020; September 7 – 27, 2020; and October 5- 25, 2020
Registration Fee: $300
A 10% discount is available for five or more registrants from the same organization when registered by one person from that organization.
For more information, see http://www.auburn.edu/outreach/opce/marijuana.htm . To register see http://www.auburn.edu/outreach/opce/marijuana.htm#registration or call (334) 844-5100.
A National Public Health Disaster: Drug Abuse, Addiction, and the Opioid Crisis – The Role that Marijuana Use and Legalization are Playing (4-Week Online Course)
(This course is also, an Elective Course in the Auburn University Outreach Emergency Management Certificate Program but may be taken as a stand-alone course.)
Course Description: The role that exposure to and the use of marijuana are playing in the opioid epidemic will be highlighted along with the role that cartels and the black market are playing. See the Letter to Members of the United States Congress and All Other Public Officials: Conclusive Evidence of Marijuana’s Harm to the Brain, Body, and the Environment for the research findings, studies, and investigative reporting that provides evidence concerning these connections. (Posted at http://GordonDrugAbusePrevention.com ).
The tendencies of public officials to narrowly define the problem and not see the role that marijuana and poly-drug use are having in the drug addiction and opioid crisis are highlighted in the course. A broader way of defining the challenges associated with drug taking behavior and addiction will be featured, along with exemplary approaches to addressing the Drug Crisis. New research will be highlighted concerning ways in which marijuana use is rendering users more susceptible to the coronavirus and its most serious effects.
Dates Being Offered: July 20 – August 16, 2020; and November 2 – 29, 2020.
Registration Fee: $400.
A 10% discount is available for five or more registrants from the same organization when registered by one person from that organization.
For more information and to register, go to http://www.auburn.edu/outreach/opce/emergencymgmt/#courses and https://opce.catalog.auburn.edu/courses/c190128 or call (334) 844-5100.
TESTIMONIALS FOR DRUG ABUSE AND ADDICTION-RELATED COURSES
From Stephanie Haynes, Greater New Orleans Drug Demand Reduction Coalition SOS – Save Our Society from Drugs – Florida, Texas, Louisiana:
Wow! This is a terrific opportunity! Educators, social workers, those in the Criminal Justice system, policymakers, legislators, and community volunteers all need to take this course!! …I want to introduce you to Dr. Paula Gordon who developed this course on the harms of marijuana. We need to spread the word to all our colleagues about the value and importance of having this information, especially today in light of all the pro pot misinformation… Great Opportunity! A three-week online course on Harms of Marijuana begins soon. Sign up today! Please help spread the word, especially to those in the prevention and treatment fields!
From Dr. Joe Godfrey, Executive Director Alabama Citizens Action Program (ALCAP) & American Character Builders:
Thank you for providing such great instruction! The resources you provided and the ideas you “spurred” in my mind that will help me with my work in the future were invaluable… Thanks for a very interesting class! I have gained new insight that I believe will help me going forward….. As my first ever online class, you made it easy and fun!
From Susan J. Short, Executive Director Covington County Children’s Policy Council Coalition Lurleen B. Wallace Community College Child Development Center Andalusia, Alabama:
The resources you’ve shared with all of us are a real boost to my program. Thank you so much! Thanks for the additional tips and references on understanding the perspectives of many people that are pro-legalization. I think many times people just aren’t informed or perhaps they heard some information on television and assumed it was correct.
From Roger Morgan, Founder of the Take Back America Campaign:
Dr. Paula Gordon, an instructor for Auburn University’s Outreach, is offering an inexpensive on-line course on marijuana that I think is beneficial to everyone engaged in the battle to save our kids and nation from this insidious drug. Given the problems we have with marijuana in California, I highly recommend this course for anyone seeking to improve their knowledge.
Planning and Preparedness for Homeland Security and Emergency Management Post 9/11 and Post-Katrina and in the Time of the Coronavirus Pandemic (4-Week Online Course)
(A Core Course in the Auburn University Outreach Emergency Management Certificate Program)
Course Description: This course is designed to help those currently in roles of public responsibility develop a deeper understanding of how to address some newly emerging challenges in homeland security and emergency management, challenges that have been unfolding since 2001, including the current coronavirus pandemic. The course will be of particular interest to those already in practitioner or policy making roles, while also being of interest to those interested in preparing for such roles. Those developing and teaching homeland security and emergency management courses are also likely to find the course of value.
Dates Offered: August 31 – September 27, 2020
Registration Fee: $400.
A 10% discount is available for five or more registrants from the same organization when registered by one person from that organization.
For more information and to register, go to http://www.auburn.edu/outreach/opce/emergencymgmt/#courses and https://opce.catalog.auburn.edu/courses/c200831 or call (334) 844-5100
Unmet Needs and Challenges: Some Key Challenges Facing Homeland Security and Emergency Management Post 9/11 and Post Katrina and in the Time of the Coronavirus Pandemic (4-Week Online Course)
(A Core Course in the Auburn University Outreach Emergency Management Certificate Program)
Course Description: The course is designed to help those currently in roles of public responsibility develop an understanding of some of the unmet needs and challenges in homeland security and emergency management. This includes unmet needs and challenges that have been impacting the fields since September 11, 2001 and since Hurricane Katrina, along with other newer challenges, including the 2010 Gulf Oil Spill, Hurricane Sandy, and massive tornados, hurricanes, floods, wild fires, and active shooter incidents that have occurred in recent years, and the current coronavirus pandemic. While the course will be of particular interest to those already in practitioner or policy making roles, it will also be of interest to those preparing for such roles. Those developing and teaching homeland security and emergency management courses will also find the course of value.
Dates Offered: November 2 – November 29, 2020
Registration Fee: $400.
A 10% discount is available for five or more registrants from the same organization when registered by one person from that organization.
For more information and to register later in 2020, go to http://www.auburn.edu/outreach/opce/emergencymgmt/#courses or call (334) 844-5100
Key Elements of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Continuity Post 9/11 and Post Katrina in the Time of the Coronavirus Pandemic (4-Week Online Course)
(An Elective Course in the Auburn University Outreach Emergency Management Certificate Program)
Course Description: The course objective is to introduce learners to a wide array of issues and concerns involving the nation’s critical infrastructure as that term can be broadly defined in the post 9/11 and post- Katrina world. The topics that will be addressed in this course include a broad range of critical infrastructure concerns. Course participants will be introduced to cutting edge resources, information, and exemplary initiatives including those involving the following: the American Society for Civil Engineers, the DHS Centers of Excellence, the Institute for Sustainable Development, the Pacific Northwest Economic Recovery (PNWER) initiative, Philip Howard’s Common Good Initiatives, and Steven Flynn’s work on the topic of critical infrastructure.
The following are also addressed in the course on Critical Infrastructure:
- Ways in which critical infrastructure concerns have been defined and addressed in the past, ways in which they are presently being addressed, the role that cascading critical infrastructure failures can play in disasters, and ways in which they could be more fully addressed in the future;
- Ways of protecting critical infrastructure and providing for critical infrastructure continuity and the need to incorporate a comprehensive focus on prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery, and continuity of operations; and the importance of taking steps to help ensure the reliability, resilience, stability, and continuity of critical infrastructure. Special attention will be placed on the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on the economy and on the public health infrastructure.
- The implications of the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami for the U.S; and
- The need to include an emphasis on the development of disaster resistant or resilient communities and regions that includes a concern for disaster resistant and resilient infrastructure within those communities and regions and within the nation as a whole.
Dates Offered: June 15 – July 12, 2020
Registration Fee: $400
A 10% discount is available for five or more registrants from the same organization when registered by one person from that organization.
For more information and to register, go to http://www.auburn.edu/outreach/opce/emergencymgmt/#courses and https://opce.catalog.auburn.edu/courses/c200615e or call (334) 844-5100.
A National Public Health Disaster: Drug Abuse, Addiction, the Opioid Crisis, and the Coronavirus Pandemic – The Role that Marijuana Use and Legalization are Playing (4-Week Online Course)
(An Elective Course in the Auburn University Outreach Emergency Management Certificate Program and also listed above as Course 2)
Course Description: The role that exposure to and the use of marijuana are playing in the opioid epidemic will be highlighted along with the role that cartels and the black market are playing. See the Letter to Members of the Canadian Parliament (for the research findings, studies, and investigative reporting that provides evidence concerning these connections.
The tendencies of public officials to narrowly define the problem and not see the role that marijuana and poly-drug use are having in the drug addiction and opioid crisis are highlighted in the course. A broader way of defining the challenges associated with drug taking behavior and addiction will be featured, along with exemplary approaches to addressing the Drug Crisis. New research will be highlighted concerning ways in which marijuana use is rendering users more susceptible to the coronavirus and its most serious effects.
Dates Offered: July 20 – August 16, 2020 & November 2 – 29, 2020
Registration Fee: $400.
A 10% discount is available for five or more registrants from the same organization when registered by one person from that organization.
For more information and to register, go to http://www.auburn.edu/outreach/opce/emergencymgmt/#courses and https://opce.catalog.auburn.edu/courses/c2007208 or call (334) 844-5100
TESTIMONIALS FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT-RELATED COURSES
The following endorsements are from participants in courses in the Emergency Management Certificate Program taught by Dr. Gordon.
From a Fire Department official in a coastal community in Florida nearly totally devastated by Hurricane Michael in 2018:
What I have learned in this course is that the field of emergency management is that there is much more to Emergency Management than operational and response training to large scale emergency events and disasters. The breadth of the materials covered is both fascinating and informative. There is a mountain of information to review and cover in a short period of time but the material is interesting and thought provoking which keeps the student interested. The interaction amongst students is frequent and helps to clarify points that may be missed, misinterpreted or misread during online learning forums as opposed to brick and mortar class discussions which have context and non-verbal communication cues.
That said, the level of passion and knowledge on the subject exhibited by Dr. Gordon is the most significant thing that I learned in this course. When there is an instructor that is passionate, knowledgeable and dedicated to the myriad issues (..e-technology, Pre/Post-9/11 mentalities, etc.) as Dr. Gordon it motivates the student to examine the issues more deeply and thoroughly. Her dedication is obvious in her research, writings, and interactive responses with the students on the discussion boards and that is the mark of a great course.
From a person transitioning to a career in emergency management:
Prior to taking this certificate course, after I made the initial decision to pursue EM as a potential second career, I enrolled in a master’s program in EM with a different university. The lead professor was very focused on research – with the expectation that we would be learning/honing those skills throughout the program for application in the EM field. There is a place for that, but I was looking to learn about the EM field as a potential practitioner. More searching – and I found the Auburn certificate program. My earlier experience provided excellent contrast for what I found here. This course provided an excellent look at the spectrum of EM, as well as the many and varied needs that remain unmet since 9/11 and Katrina. “Unmet Needs” casts a wide net; there are so many things to understand, investigate, and hopefully contribute to fixing, which will require an understanding of why the needs remain unmet – lack of funding, lack of political will, lack of public support or attention – one or all could apply in any given instance. And while I certainly value research, and will no doubt make use of whatever is available, this course whetted my appetite – there are many issues/problems that need to be solved that will require active engagement with the community as well as various levels of government. Exactly what I was hoping for.
From a Federal official with responsibilities for emergency management and emergency planning:
I think this is a great course….I would recommend for anyone involved in the emergency management field or involved with emergency planning.
I would definitely want my staff to take this course….
From an official of a large university with responsibilities for campus-wide Public Safety Information & Education:
This course has really helped me realize the impact on planning and preparedness of the differences in catastrophic and non-catastrophic events, and has helped me feel more equipped to address the planning challenges related to catastrophic events. In the past, I have focused mainly on technical and operational issues, but I can now see the importance of the broader perspective… It has also really emphasized to me the importance of understanding complex problems and the value of generalists, who can lead multi-disciplinary teams of experts in finding solutions to these complex problems that we face in emergency management today.
GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE AUBURN UNIVERSITY OUTREACH ONLINE COURSES BEING TAUGHT BY DR. GORDON:
- Courses are all taught on a Pass/Not Pass basis and all may earn 3 CEUs each.
- All of the courses are offered in asynchronous time, rather than “real” time, thus making it easy for each person to fit the courses into his or her schedule.
- All assigned materials for the courses are available without cost online.
- Individual emergency management-related courses may be taken from the courses in the Emergency Management Certificate Program if a person does not intend to earn the Emergency Management Certificate.
- To earn an EM Certificate, one needs to pass the four courses and any one of the elective courses.
- Some students personally opt to take more than the one elective course required.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE AUBURN UNIVERSITY OUTREACH EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Dr. Gordon, along with Dr. Don Terry-Veal and Maria Folmar were instrumental in designing and launching the Emergency Management Certificate Program. The Certificate Program began in the Fall of 2006 under the aegis of the Auburn University Center for Governmental Services. The Certificate Program moved from the Center for Governmental Services in the Winter of 2016 and now is now under the auspices of the Auburn University Outreach Office of Professional and Continuing Education. The Program is overseen by Ms. Shavon Williams, M.B.A., Assistant Director, Outreach Programs.
Individual emergency management-related courses may also be taken from the courses in the Emergency Management Certificate Program even if a person does not intend to take a total of three core courses and two elective courses in the Emergency Management Certificate Program.
The Certificate Program and its courses have received many accolades from participants some of which are noted above in the testimonial sections above.
These courses incorporate an all-hazard approach to emergency management and homeland security. While the courses will be of particular interest to those already in practitioner or policy making roles, they will also be of interest to those preparing for such roles. Those developing and teaching homeland security and emergency management courses will also find the courses of value. Earning the Emergency Management Certificate has been a way for many to advance their present career path, whether they are already working in the fields of emergency management and homeland security or they are preparing for a career in these fields.
Participants in the courses have come from widely varying backgrounds. They have included Federal officials, deployed military and military contractors, fire chiefs and police officials of metropolitan as well as rural areas, emergency managers, hospital administrators, health care professionals emergency responders, retired and transitioning military, professors and researchers in the fields of emergency management and homeland security, and other individuals in training and education roles and roles of public responsibility for emergency management, homeland security, emergency medical management, and public health and safety.
For more information regarding the Emergency Management Certificate Program, please see http://www.auburn.edu/outreach/opce/emergencymgmt/index.htm or call (334) 844-5100.
