Interview with Dr.

Simpkins

Hurricanes Since Katrina were a whole lot better prepared. Katrina was a failure with the

planning initiative and the resources werent there. They knew Katrina was coming and had the

ability to do something but didnt. The levy system in NOLA was only prepared for a CAT 3

hurricane, and thats where the main damage came in, from the levies breaking. Craig Fugate

changed FEMAs culture, just look at the response to Hurricane Sandy. He transformed FEMA

into a proactive agency instead of a reactive theory. In terms of federal and local response, its a

more cooperative response effort, and recovery should be better as well.

*The Waffle House Theory*

Simpkins is currently just a lecturer, as opposed to a professor. Full Professor, associate

professor, assistant professor. As a lecturer, I teach a five-load, and run the intel program which

takes up two of the courses I teach.

Where were you before EKU? In the basement, at the Justice and Safety Center, a federally

funded research and training center. I started there in June of 05, and when I left to join here I

was the 2nd in command. Ran the program that trained the rural First Responders. Started as a

project center, in the mid 2000s it turned into a program center. But Ive been teaching in HLS

program since 09.

What made you decide on intelligence studies? Mike Collier invited me to come work on the IC

program, and I actually didnt know anything about intel. Going to the PD programs and meeting

other faculty. I never actually worked in the Intel Community, but we bring those type of
individuals in to help. I mostly advise students on the curriculum. I do have the academic

background in the program, but now the employment experience.

More of a practicioner

Advice? Think about what you want to do not only in your degrees, but in your summers. You

need to think about competing in the application process. Adding certificates is helpful, it gives

you a competitive edge to add to your bachelors in Homeland.

Someone pursuing analytics? The Intelligence Studies certificate, the BGISCCAE, minor

in Cybersecurity and Intelligence. GIS certificate, its very hot right now. Look at, training

events, internships and study abroad. Resume building things.

Research? Ryan and I are writing a book on Critical Infrastructure and Protection, earlier in the

summer got Homeland Security Technologies for the 21st Century published. Bills doing

research on School Resource Officers, Chad runs the Kentucky Ready Corps program. Ryan and

I are working on a new textbook to use in HLS 3__. Im currently working in the PHD program

in Criminal Justice at Louisville because I currently only have an EDD

Question 8 You have to be able to write and speak, work on oral communication skills,

presentation skills, and writing skills. Being informed on whats going on nationally and

internationally (globalization). Know whats going on. It helps in classes having context, as well.

Be smart, dont do drugs, the obvious things. If theres an opportunity outside the classroom, do

it. Network, go to conferences. If you do that, dont just attend, meet people. Either at Eastern or

somewhere else.