Resilient Design and Crisis Management Focus of New Course

University Relations

Richard Ham

The Master of Science in Operations Management is offering a new course in Resilient Design and Crisis Management in the second eight weeks of the fall semester. Offered as OMGT 577V (OMGT 5743 pending), the new course, designed by Richard Ham, associate director of the operations management program, focuses on an "all hazards" approach to lead through crisis and design resilience into processes such as supply chain and human resources. 

Based on accepted National Incident Management System protocols and industry best practices, the course teaches operations managers and other practitioners to plan and respond to unexpected internal and global crisis. 

"This course has been envisioned for some time as an elective to complement our Homeland Security Graduate Certificate and our Master of Science in Operations Management," Ham said. "COVID-19 has had such an effect on supply chain, human resources, retail, manufacturing, transportation and daily work processes that many employers now demand a new crisis and resilience skill set. Anyone involved at all levels of government and industry can benefit from this course."

Similar to the Introduction to Homeland Security course, the new course includes experienced government, industry and academic experts to provide their perspective to the strengths and weaknesses of planning, response and recovery to emergencies. Past lecturers included Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, senior executives in the federal government, senior vice presidents of Fortune 100 companies and researchers in various areas of expertise.

Marty Matlock, executive director of the UA Resiliency Center, said the course would provide valuable perspective to students.

"When the crisis occurs, it is too late to start planning," he said. "This course provides a critical framework in resilient thinking that allows institutions to persist through severe disruptions. The perspectives of this team of lecturers is invaluable to any professional engaged in planning, operations, implementation, and policy making. The concepts and methodologies explored in this course are core to the U of A Resiliency Center's research mission. Sustainability begins with resiliency. Resiliency knowledge begins with this course."

More details on guest lecturers and requirements will be announced prior to the fall semester.  Students from all disciplines interested in the course (OMGT 577V, OMGT 5943 pending) should contact Lisa A. Milligan at lmilliga@uark.edu or Richard Ham at richardh@uark.edu to register.