Metropolitan College of New York’s Professor Chuck Frank Joins the Most Prestigious Group of Certified Professionals in the Global Project Management Community.
During the most recent review session of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) USA Certification Commission, the highest professional achievement in Emergency Management was bestowed upon Ali Gheith, Program Director of Metropolitan College of New York’s Emergency and Disaster Management (EDM) Program. Gheith obtained the Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) credential during the session which took place August 22-24, 2011.
As the most prestigious accomplishment in the EDM field, only 38 candidates were approved this year by the IAEM USA Certification Commission. The CEM designation is the highest honor of professional achievement available from IAEM, which has in its membership more than 4,500 emergency managers representing local, state and federal government, private industry and military emergency managers. This new class of CEMs joins the 1,685 other emergency managers who were approved for the designation since January 1993. Of the 38 approved candidates in the August review session, only four candidates were from New York State, and Professor Gheith was the only one from New York City.
In addition to Ali Gheith, MCNY is delighted to congratulate MCNY Emergency and Disaster Management Alumnus Michael Weber on recently receiving the 2011 IAEM-USA Council Award and the IAEM Global Public Awareness Award. As Principal of 74 Degrees and Associates, for his work on behalf of the Arlington County (VA) Office of Emergency Management, Weber came in second place for the IAEM-Global Public Awareness Award in recognition of his agency’s monthly preparedness campaign for the Washington, DC subway system. His agency will also be presented with the first place prize for the IAEM-USA Public Awareness Award, Division 1 at the IAEM 59th Annual Conference & EMEX 2011, being held on November 11-17, 2011, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“On behalf of the students and faculty at Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY), I would like to congratulate MCNY Professor Ali M. Gheith and MCNY Alumnus Michael Weber for obtaining the highest professional achievements in the Emergency and Disaster Management field. Still working diligently in the field, Ali is dedicated to understanding and addressing the special needs of vulnerable populations, as well as educating the next generation of Emergency Managers. His dedication and leadership has certainly proved to be invaluable,” said Dr. Vinton Thompson, President of MCNY.
Additionally, Emergency and Disaster Management Professor Chuck Frank recently joined the most prestigious group of certified professionals in the global project management community by attaining the certification of Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute (PMI). The PMP credential is the most important industry-recognized certification for project managers. The PMP is a globally recognized credential that requires a solid foundation of experience, education and demonstrated competency in project management.
MCNY’s 16-month master’s of Public Administration in Emergency and Disaster Management is one of the first graduate level degrees of its kind. It encompasses a highly specialized curriculum that covers planning, management, logistics, response, relief, recovery and the economics associated with managing emergency situations. Examples of classes within this program include the “Economics of Hazards and Disasters,” “Public Health Systems and Preparedness, “Terrorism and Disaster Management” and “Organizational and Municipal Continuity Planning.” An invaluable part of the program is the emergency and disaster management field experience which has taken place in locations such as Israel and Chile.
About Ali Gheith, Director, Emergency and Disaster Management Program, Metropolitan College of New York:
Professor Ali Gheith is also the recipient of the NYC distinguished Service Award for his work with community and faith leaders across New York City. Gheith joined Project Liberty immediately following the disastrous events of 9/11, where he reached out to union workers at ground zero, addressed the special needs of vulnerable populations and trained counselors on methods of providing culturally appropriate disaster mental health services to the community. In early 2003, Gheith joined the NYC DOHMH as a coordinator of Population Based Resilience. Professor Gheith has responded to every major crisis since 9/11.
