High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2025

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Course Code

PAD

Course Number

6397

Faculty/Instructor

Dr. Romeo Lavarias

Faculty/Instructor Email

romeo.lavarias@ucf.edu

About the Author

Mohammad Newaz Sharif is a PhD student in Public Affairs at UCF, with a Master of Public Policy from Germany and a Bachelor of Science in Disaster Management from Bangladesh. Prior to joining at UCF, he held pivotal positions in some prominent global nonprofits and aid organizations over the last decade like Red Cross, United Nations, CARE International etc. His experience with these organizations includes significant contributions to grant writing, strategic planning, knowledge management, and project evaluation under the broader programmatic areas of building community resilience, combating climate change, disaster risk reduction, affordable healthcare, refugees and volunteer management.

Abstract, Summary, or Creative Statement

This service-learning engagement with the REACH (Resilience, Education, and Advocacy Center for Hazard Preparedness) Hub project was conducted as part of PAD6397: Managing Emergencies and Crises course at the University of Central Florida. It explores the intersection of academic knowledge, community resilience, and equitable emergency management through the REACH Hub which a solar-powered, mobile infrastructure developed in collaboration with UCF researchers, the City of Orlando and other local partners. Designed to serve vulnerable communities during and beyond disasters, the REACH Hub provides critical resources such as power, internet access, refrigeration, and educational outreach. The project aligned closely with course objectives, applying key concepts like the Whole Community Approach, hazard mitigation strategies, and ethical leadership in crisis contexts (FEMA, 2011; Waugh, 2023). Through this initiative, experienced the full cycle of service learning—from investigation and preparation to action, reflection, and demonstration culminating in meaningful community impact and personal growth (Bringle & Hatcher, 1996). The REACH Hub increased local capacity for disaster resilience and served as a platform for civic engagement and STEM education. This project highlights the transformative potential of integrating coursework with community-centered practice, fostering both academic excellence and a deeper sense of civic responsibility.

Keywords

Emergency Management, Community Resilience, Service Learning, REACH Hub, Orlando

Empowering Communities in Crisis: The REACH Hub as an Emergency Management Lifeline in Orlando


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