Thad Hicks

Dr. Thad Hicks is a Professor of Emergency Management & Criminal Justice at Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU), serving since 2020 as the GPS Program Coordinator for Public Administration. Previously, he held professorial roles at Ohio Christian University (2018–2020) and was an Associate Professor (2016) and Assistant Professor (2013) there. His career includes roles as a graduate teaching/research assistant and a certified police officer.

He holds a Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies (Asbury Theological Seminary, 2014), M.A. in Conflict Transformation (Eastern Mennonite University, 2008), and B.S. in Criminology (Ashland University, 2001).

Hicks specializes in emergency management, disaster exercises, policy development, and non-profit organizational strategies. His research emphasizes storytelling in crisis contexts and resilience-building. He has published a book on emergency exercise design and peer-reviewed journal articles on resilience narratives.

Accredited certifications include Master Exercise Practitioner (FEMA), Ohio Certified Emergency Manager, and Six Sigma Green Belt. He actively participates in professional organizations like IAEM and OEMA, delivering workshops on emergency management practices nationwide.