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(left to right) Mr. C. Loren Wallace, Mitigation & Recovery Program Manager, Emergency
Management Division, Horry County Government; Mr. Samuel Hodge, Director of Emergency
Management, Emergency Management Division, Horry County Government; Dr. Marilyn Fore,
HGTC President; Dr. Theresa Strong, HGTC Assistant Vice President & Dean
Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) is proud to announce the approval of a new Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Management pathway within the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Business Administration degree, along with a new certificate program. Beginning in Fall 2025, the program will equip graduates with the critical knowledge and skills needed to address emergency services and disaster response challenges across local and state government agencies.
The pathway and certificate, developed in response to community feedback and a formal needs assessment, will focus on both the management and technical aspects of emergency services. Students will gain expertise in areas such as emergency services law and ethics, municipal finance, critical incident response, emergency planning, and grant writing. The 31-credit certificate program includes 10 courses designed to cover the breadth of emergency management and disaster preparedness.
HGTC President, Dr. Marilyn Fore, expressed her excitement about the program’s potential, “This new program not only reflects HGTC’s commitment to staying ahead of the evolving needs of our community, but it also opens doors for our students to engage in a critical and growing field. We are proud to provide the education and training necessary to shape future leaders in disaster preparedness and emergency management.”
A key driver for the creation of the program was the growing demand for professionals in the field, as highlighted by a comprehensive needs assessment conducted by the College. This assessment indicated the need for 54 new positions by the end of 2024, increasing to 61 by 2026. Full-time professionals in this field can expect an average salary of $53,640, while part-time positions offer an average wage of $21.75 per hour.
Samuel Hodge, Director of Emergency Management for Horry County Government, praised the initiative, “With the increasing complexity of emergencies in our region, the need for trained professionals has never been greater. HGTC’s new program will play a pivotal role in ensuring we have qualified leaders who are prepared to respond to and manage crises.”
The Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Management pathway is also expected to foster new transfer opportunities with HGTC’s senior institution partners, including Coastal Carolina University, The Citadel, Francis Marion University, and others. This will offer graduates additional pathways to further their education in emergency management and related fields.
Dr. Theresa Strong, Assistant Vice President and Dean of Business, Computer Technology, and Personal Services, highlighted the importance of the new program, “This pathway gives students a unique opportunity to specialize in a rapidly growing area of public service while building a strong business administration foundation. It’s an ideal blend of technical expertise and management skills that will make our graduates stand out in the workforce.”
The program is the result of extensive collaboration between HGTC, local industry experts, and an advisory board comprised of key community leaders. Their unanimous support underscores the critical need for emergency management education in the region.
For more information on the Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Management certificate and pathway, please contact Dr. Theresa Strong, HGTC Assistant Vice President & Dean, at 843-349-7559 or theresa.strong@hgtc.edu.