Carol Cwiak, assistant professor of emergency management, recently presented at the American Council on Education Regional Women's Leadership Forum. Her presentation was titled “Making Decisions about Crisis Management: Do You Have the Necessary Framework to Succeed?”

The presentation sought to create awareness among women leaders attending the conference of the many different types of crisis events they could encounter in their role as an administrator, the importance of thinking about and planning for these events before they happen and the value of cultivating a mental framework that will make them better able to deal with any event that arises.

The Leadership Forum was focused on supporting the advancement of women in administrative positions in higher education. Crisis management is one of the most often referenced areas that administrators wish they knew more about before taking positions that required them to address such events.

Cwiak’s presentation referenced a number of high profile events that have occurred at colleges and universities that have resulted in an interruption of operations; campus closure; injury or death of students, staff or faculty; loss of research; lawsuit; or reputation damage.

According to Cwiak, “A crisis that is well-managed can bring into focus your leadership qualities. Conversely, a poorly managed crisis can cost you your position and your institution its stature.”

NDSU is recognized as one of the nation’s top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.