From left: Nakarsha Bester, Donald Hendon and Chris Herron explain storm surge scenarios to former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, Secretary and U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi's 2nd District, at Jackson State University. Bester, Hendon and Herron all received master's degrees in Engineering (Coastal Engineering concentration) as part of the JSU program.

Review, Enhance and Stimulate the Coastal Engineering Concentration of MS/PhD Engineering Degree Programs

From left: Nakarsha Bester, Donald Hendon and Chris Herron explain storm surge scenarios to former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, Secretary and U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi's 2nd District, at Jackson State University. Bester, Hendon and Herron all received master's degrees in Engineering (Coastal Engineering concentration) as part of the JSU program.

Education

Review, Enhance and Stimulate the Coastal Engineering Concentration of MS/PhD Engineering Degree Programs

Summary

The only HBCU MS/PhD Engineering Programs with a Coastal Engineering concentration focusing on natural disasters at JSU. They were conceived and developed with DHS support in the 2008- 2013 period with the first MS awarded in 2014 and the first PhD awarded in 2021. A small, relatively stable annual stream of 2 or 3 MS graduates and about 1 PhD graduate has emerged. The programs are essentially unchanged since conception and since the first MS graduate. It is time to review and update the programs to ensure they are formulated for success for the next decade to serve DHS priority needs and requirements.

Investigators

Robert W. Whalin
Dr. Robert W. Whalin
Jackson State University