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Drury graduates first cohort of Master in Public Service and Safety Leadership

Drury University > Newsroom > Newsroom Archives > Drury graduates first cohort of Master in Public Service and Safety Leadership

Drury University congratulates the first graduates of the Master in Public Service and Safety Leadership. The first cohort started in 2020 and completed 30 hours of graduate-level studies in leadership, strategic planning, project management, financial management, ethics and community relations. The program is focused on the unique challenges within public service and cumulates with a capstone project that is uniquely designed to solve real problems in the participants’ organizations.

“These professionals have taken on a challenge of personal development and education as a means of serving their communities with the highest level of professionalism and competence,” said program coordinator, Jarett Metheny. “All the participants of the degree program are non-traditional and working professionals who sacrifice their time, energy, and money. They are already high-level leaders within their professions and to tack on this demanding challenge demonstrates the commitment and dedication of these professionals. They deserve a standing applause for this significant achievement through hard-work, determination and perseverance.”

Members of the first graduating class include:

  • Ray Faucheux: Safety and Security Manager, North American Soft Commodities, New Orleans, LA
  • Jason Goodman: Associate Director of Safety and Security, Drury University, Springfield, MO
  • Chet Hunter: Assistant Director of Emergency Management, Washington University, St. Louis MO
  • Christopher Johns: Director of Safety and Security, Drury University, Springfield, MO
  • Zachrain King: Lieutenant, United States Army
  • James Ludden: Battalion Chief, Battlefield Fire Protection District, Battlefield, MO
  • Olan Morelan: Assistant Chief, City of Springfield Fire Department, MO
  • Michael Moore: Lieutenant, City of Castlerock Fire Rescue, CO
  • Scott Moore: Fire Chief, Battlefield Fire Protection District, Battlefield, MO
  • Bert Norton: Fire Chief, City of Midwest City, OK
  • Eric Paulson: Operations Manager, Medic Ambulance, Sacramento, CA
  • Kacie Springer: Sergeant, City of Lebanon Police Department, MO
  • Christy Thompson: Director, Christian County Ambulance District, Ozark, MO
  • Kevin Trogden: Division Chief (Ret), City of Springfield Fire Department, MO

As the first cohort, they are responsible for piloting classes and setting the standards for future cohorts. Throughout their program of study, they have applied academic knowledge to frame problems and address issues that will make our society safer and our public organizations more efficient and effective. Some examples of their capstone projects include:

  • Creating a Standard of Excellence Framework for Emergency Management
  • Fire Science Certification Program Proposal
  • Qualifications and Experience Requirements for Fire Chiefs
  • Improving Out-of-Hospital Cardiac and Arrest Outcomes

For more information regarding the Masters of Public Service and Safety Leadership, please contact Metheny at jmetheny002@drury.edu or Dr. Alex Cobb at acobb003@drury.edu.  Information can also be obtained on the website at https://www.drury.edu/graduate/master-in-public-service-and-safety-leadership/.