System administrator to head disaster preparedness organization

System Assistant Vice President Michael Ralph

Michael Ralph, SU System assistant vice president, planning and research and director Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, recently was received appointed as the inaugural president of the International Organization for Disaster and Emergency Preparedness (ODEP - http://iodep.org/).

Ralph was chosen by the Board of Directors of this new organization because of his professional background and previous work in disaster preparedness.

The organization is affiliated with the Society of College and University Planning (SCUP) and other higher education planning associations.

“I feel that the founding of ODEP is tremendously beneficial for Southern University at this critical juncture in its history. It places Southern University in the forefront as a leadership and innovative organization in disaster preparedness in the national and international arenas,” Ralph said.