Three UVU MPA students recently coauthored chapters in a major academic handbook with Professor David McEntire.
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Publication in a major academic handbook is often reserved for only the select few, but for three UVU Master of Public Administration students, that opportunity came knocking. Natasha Byrd, Amy Eddington, and Melanie Robison recently coauthored chapters in the “Handbook of Emergency Response: A Human Factors and Systems Engineering Approach, Second Edition” with Professor David McEntire. Professor McEntire emphasized the importance of engagement opportunities like this, saying “It was a pleasure working with Amy, Melanie, and Natasha on these book chapters. They are sharp students with unique skills, who contributed a great deal to our studies on human behavior and damage assessment. I’m pleased that these book chapters also provided them another rich educational opportunity, added to their impressive resumes, and helped to prepare them further for future careers.” Student-faculty collaborations like these create lasting impact on the students and professors. For McEntire, it wasn’t just about publishing — it was about mentorship, “I’ve been fortunate to write various books and publish a number of peer-reviewed articles on my own or with colleagues. However, I have always enjoyed conducting research and writing manuscripts with students. My recent experience was no different.” These publications reflect UVU’s commitment to engaged learning — preparing students not only for academic success, but for meaningful careers in public service. Reflecting on the project, Natasha Byrd shared: “This experience gave me a clearer understanding of how a Ph.D.- level writing looks, and the level of commitment required for advanced research. While I had completed research projects before, none matched the depth and complexity of this one. I’m grateful for the opportunity, because it prepared me to apply these skills in future doctoral research.” For Melanie Robison the experience has already been put to good use: “Since completing this publication, I've already been able to use the knowledge I gained in disaster assessment in my current career in emergency response. It's also afforded me greater insight in teaching new emergency responders on the topic of disaster preparedness and response, as well as assisting my community leaders to prepare for future emergencies.” Through opportunities like this, UVU students gain more than a line on their resume — they gain the confidence and experience to lead in their fields and serve their communities.
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