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Bluefield College professor Dr. Betsy Summerfield is sharing her risk management expertise with college professionals nationwide.

July 9, 2008

Article by Bluefield College student Rachel Reed    

Bluefield College professor Dr. Betsy Summerfield is sharing her risk management expertise with college professionals nationwide.    

Dr. Summerfield, an instructor in BC's adult degree-completion program, recently offered a presentation for the University Risk Management and Insurance Association (URMIA) at its Western Regional Conference in Montana.    

Labeled "Risk in the Rockies," the regional URMIA conference offered risk management professionals expert advice on "Seismic Hazards in the Western US," "Active Shooter: Response and Prevention," and "Managing the Risks of an Aging Workforce."    

Titled "Emergency Planning with Local Entities," Dr. Summerfield's presentation addressed the need for multiple agencies to respond in the event of large-scale disasters. The session also outlined how local agencies should plan for emergencies to avoid overloading one with a vast amount of information.    

In addition, Dr. Summerfield shared with the risk management professionals ways to "deal with geographical challenges utilizing surveillance systems, sworn police officers, emergency notification, and collaboration with local law enforcement."    

Dr. Summerfield has been a member of Bluefield College's adult degree-completion faculty since 1998, teaching organizational behavior, human resources management, and leadership for groups in Grundy, Richlands, Wytheville and Bluefield, Virginia.        

A resident of Lebanon, Virginia, Dr. Summerfield is the human resources manager for Southwest Virginia Community College. She holds more than 25 years of experience in the human resources management field in both the public and private sector. She also has conducted extensive research on workplace violence and published articles related to this topic.    

In addition, she has worked with several companies and governmental agencies conducting workforce development seminars in management, sexual harassment, time management, performance evaluations, employment law, and workplace violence, and she completed an internship at Leeds University where she conducted research on England's employment laws and fringe benefits.      

Dr. Summerfield earned her bachelor's degree in business administration from Appalachian State University, a master's degree in business administration from Golden Gate University, and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from East Tennessee State University.    

The University Risk Management and Insurance Association is an international nonprofit educational association serving colleges and universities. Its core purpose is to promote the advancement and application of effective risk management principles and practices in institutions of higher education.    

URMIA represents more than 1,300 individuals at some 500 institutions of higher education with members ranging from small schools and community colleges to the 50 largest U.S. institutions.

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