Testimonial - Daniel Zent, Bachelor's Degree - Emergency Management

Daniel Zent: Bachelor of Arts in Emergency and Disaster Management

Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Zent is part of a small community of experts within the U.S. Air Force – emergency managers. He’s part of an even smaller community as well. He is among other Air Force emergency managers who have earned their certification through the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM). His studies at American Military University (AMU) have been key to both accomplishments.

Zent recently earned his bachelor’s degree in emergency and disaster management. He discovered AMU in 2004 through a Google online search. He was looking for a way to finally earn his degree and make the most of his military experience. He joined the Air National Guard right out of high school, and then the Army before returning to the Guard. He held disaster preparedness positions for both the Army and Air National Guard before becoming installation manager.

“AMU fit the bill,” he says. It had the curriculum he desired and the flexible online format he needed. The university even offered a student chapter of the IAEM, one of only 23 chapters nationwide.

“My emergency management courses at American Military University helped enhance my military experience. I now can better coordinate military disaster response plans with those of our civilian counterparts,” Zent says.

For example, he now has more expertise when planning for special needs populations with local emergency officials. Zent also appreciated learning from a multi-national perspective, including a Canadian professor.

Another perk from AMU: the free textbooks for those pursuing a bachelor’s degree. The Guard would have reimbursed him through the G.I. Bill.  But he didn’t need the help after all. AMU shipped the textbooks directly to his home and he began studying even before his courses began.

“My emergency management textbooks now sit on the bookshelf in my office. We use them every day as reference books,” he says.

Zent says he has met many fellow online students in person at conferences and other meetings. “I feel that AMU is the “unofficial official” standard for emergency managers in the Air Force. Many airmen I know are studying there,” Zent says.

Zent plans to continue in the emergency management field, even after his retirement in about eight years. He says his degree and IAEM certification will help him earn a good position. “The bottom line: I’m a more effective emergency manager thanks to AMU,” he says.

Fast Facts:
►Residence:  Great Falls, Mont
►Service branch: Air National Guard (reserve), 1988-1994; U.S. Army, 1994-1998 (active duty); 1998-2001 Air National Guard (reserve); 2001-present Air National Guard (active duty)
►Occupation: Installation emergency manager, Montana Air National Guard
►Degree path: Graduated in 2007 with bachelor’s degree in emergency and disaster management
►Career goal: Continue advancing in his emergency management career within the military and after he retires