Preparing students for disaster response through immersive simulation
Simulation-based education is widely used to train professionals in emergency services and medicine, but undergraduate students often have limited opportunities to practice these skills in realistic settings. Founded by Dr. Paul Forage, the Consortium for Humanitarian Services and Education (CHSE) helps address that gap by creating safe, hands-on learning experiences in humanitarian aid and disaster response. Drs. Danielle Eiseman and Lorraine Francis have partnered with CHSE to bring this unique hands-on learning opportunity to Cornell. Approximately 50 students from across the university and seven other peer institutions will build skills in emergency response, leadership, and teamwork under the guidance of experts in emergency management.
The exercise, Atlantic Hope, is a large-scale humanitarian aid simulation developed by CHSE. Following the international standards in humanitarian aid, students will practice key disaster-response skills including negotiation and emergency management while working with volunteer staff from federal, state and local agencies who provide feedback and instruction. Participants complete each activity within the broader exercise multiple times, giving them opportunities to build confidence. The simulation also encourages deeper reflection on leadership, teamwork and cultural competence while helping prepare students to enter the workforce with practical experience in crisis response.
Danielle Eiseman, Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine
Lorraine Francis, Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine
Community Partner: Consortium for Humanitarian Services and Education