Emergency manager connects on-the-ground experiences with systemic change
Erik Challenger Sr., the Fall 2025 Outstanding Graduate for the School of Public Affairs, poses in the firehouse kitchen at Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Station 3. He was making dinner — including spaghetti with hot sausage and ground turkey, southwest corn, salad and apple pie — for his crew.
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable fall 2025 graduates.
Last year, when Hillsborough County, Florida, was hit with back-to-back-to-back hurricanes, Erik Challenger Sr. was there, helping his community.
He worked with local, state and federal officials, as well as charities and nonprofits, to coordinate shelter operations, plan transitional housing and assist recovery activities. He encouraged inclusive practices, seeking to ensure that vulnerable groups were not forgotten.
Being in service to his community is who he is as a professional, and who he is as a person. Challenger is the fall 2025 Outstanding Graduate from the School of Public Affairs, part of the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions. He is graduating with a master’s degree in emergency management and homeland security.
He serves as the deputy operations chief and human services branch director for Hillsborough County Fire Rescue's Office of Emergency Management. His studies at ASU highlighted for him how much strategic planning, policy development and interagency coordination shape emergency management outcomes beyond the initial crisis response.
“Coming from a career in fire service and operations, I initially thought that effective emergency management was primarily about action on the ground,” he said. “Through my coursework, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the systemic and preventative aspects of the field, from risk assessment and resource allocation to community resilience and equity in disaster response.”
Through knowledge, advanced planning and strategic insight, Challenger thinks he can make an even greater difference for communities, especially vulnerable populations, by shaping policies that save lives before disasters strike.
“Good leadership is not only about what happens during a crisis; it’s also about making communities stronger and more prepared for the next storm,” Challenger said.
Read on to learn more about Challenger’s ASU journey.
Note: Answers may have been edited for length and clarity.
Question: What was your “aha” moment when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?
Answer: My “aha moment” came during my years of hands-on experience in emergency management and public service, from my time serving in the fire service to my lifelong commitment to giving back through my fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and my undergraduate experience at Norfolk State University. I realized that my passion wasn’t just in responding to emergencies on the front lines but in understanding and shaping the systems and policies that make communities resilient before, during and after crises.
When I discovered ASU’s emergency management and homeland security program, I recognized it as the perfect opportunity to combine my practical experience with advanced academic knowledge. With this master’s degree, I will be able to do even more for those in need, extending my lifelong dedication to public service and making a larger, systemic impact in the field of emergency management.
Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?
A: The professors who taught me the most important lessons at ASU were Brian Gerber, associate professor, and Kwan-Lamar Blount-Hill, assistant professor. Gerber, through applied research projects, and Blount-Hill, through applied data analysis in criminology, challenged me in ways that fired up brain cells I didn’t know I had. They taught me that effective emergency management requires not only technical skills, but also critical thinking, analytical insight and the ability to make data-driven decisions that positively impact communities. Their mentorship has strengthened my ability to prepare, coordinate and advocate for communities in lasting ways.
Q: Why did you choose ASU?
A: I chose Arizona State University because it offered the ideal environment to bridge my extensive practical experience in emergency management with rigorous academic and strategic study. Having spent years in the fire service and as an emergency manager, I knew I wanted a program that emphasized applied learning and research-driven approaches, allowing me to refine my leadership, policy development and analytical skills. ASU’s emergency management and homeland security program stood out for its integration of hands-on projects, cutting-edge research and access to faculty who are leaders in the field.
Additionally, ASU’s focus on community resilience, interagency collaboration and innovative solutions to complex emergency challenges aligned perfectly with my lifelong commitment to public service. I recognized that pursuing my master’s degree at ASU would provide the knowledge, tools and network necessary to make a broader, systemic impact, allowing me to serve communities more effectively.
Q. What are your plans after graduation?
A: After graduation, my immediate plan is to continue applying the advanced knowledge and skills I’ve gained at ASU to my current role in emergency management, ensuring I provide the highest level of service to my community. I also hope to give back to the next generation of emergency management professionals by teaching at the college level. Sharing my real-world experience, coupled with the academic insights I’ve gained at ASU, would allow me to mentor and prepare students for the challenges and responsibilities of this critical field.
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