April 23, 2015
Simulating the kind of cross-disciplinary collaboration that students will encounter in the workplace, 75 St. John’s undergraduates from a variety of majors joined in addressing a mock “crisis situation” on April 15 as part of an experiential learning program offered by the Office of University Career Services in cooperation with faculty and the Department of Public Safety.
The program, Emergency Situation Career Associated Practical Experience (ESCAPE), provided the participating students with a career-focused learning opportunity in their respective areas of study. Working with Career Services, faculty make the experience part of their classes in homeland security, journalism, and public relations (College of Professional Studies); and toxicology (College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences).
Responding to the mock crisis, the students assumed responsibilities associated with their respective fields. They encountered a fictional emergency situation created through the use of carefully choreographed, large-scale scenes, fake social media postings, eyewitness accounts, scheduled press briefings, and other elements. Public Safety officers were on hand to act as if an actual crisis was occurring.
“ESCAPE is an innovative program in which faculty, administrators, and public safety collaborate to engage students in professional and skill development inside and outside of the classroom,” said Denise Hopkins, executive director of University Career Services. “By providing an opportunity for hands-on experience related to each student’s major, ESCAPE builds upon lectures and theory to facilitate further learning and career exploration with real world perspective.”
“This exercise demonstrated the kind of learning opportunities that our students enjoy thanks to collaboration across academic disciplines and administrative departments,” said Michelle Kyriakides, Ed.D., director of experiential learning in University Career Services. Kyriakides developed the concept; William L. Murphy, a career advisor in the office, coordinated the event.
The fictional scenario centered on a chemical accident in a St. Albert Hall laboratory. The mishap became a full-blown emergency, as “victims” emerged bearing simulated injuries and providing eyewitness accounts. As events unfolded, students learned about a confirmed fatality, a potential homicide investigation, and a suspect’s arrest. Throughout the day, “rumors” leaked via fake social media postings. In addition to the changing storyline, the compression of a lengthy series of events to just three hours made the exercise more challenging, as students hurried to complete their assignments within the allotted time frame.
Teams of homeland security, public relations, and toxicology students acted as St. John’s media representatives. Developing a strategy based on the University Emergency Management Plan, they presented a large-scale press conference along with smaller briefings. Journalism students acted as reporters, responsible for covering the day’s events as breaking news stories. “Career peers”—students who serve as Career Services mentors—posed as victims, eyewitnesses, mourning students, and suspects.
ESCAPE also provides a debriefing with an industry professional, who evaluates student performances throughout the exercise. The professional also will discuss with University Career Services staff how the experience can effectively be marketed in a job or internship search. In addition, homeland security students were able to visit with professionals at New York City’s Office of Emergency Management as part of their debriefing.
In addition to University Career Services, Edward Bergen, assistant fire safety director, and Ralph Pascullo, captain, Public Safety, helped in the planning and implementation of ESCAPE with Mike Rizzo, assistant professor of journalism; Steve Jarmon, assistant professor and director of public relations; Michael Savallo, instructor, homeland security; and Susan Ford, Ph.D., associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences. The collaborations resulted in student involvement and University clearance.
“I know my journalism students were excited to be in a ‘real-world’ situation with changing information and deadlines,” said Rizzo. “It was an eye opener and confidence-builder for them that they are indeed on the right road to the profession they seek.” Ultimately, he added, it “was more than a hit with my students—it was a home run.”