Online Bachelor's Degree: Homeland Security

Susan Blankenship began her forensics career working for the Drug Enforcement Administration as a forensic drug chemist. While working for the DEA, she analyzed seized evidence to determine if it contained any controlled dangerous substances. From there, she moved to the Western Maryland Regional Crime Laboratory in the Hagerstown Police Department, where she continued to analyze suspected controlled dangerous substances in addition to performing crime scene investigations, basic serology, impression evidence development, and basic document analyses. In 2007, she was hired by University of Maryland Global Campus as a full-time collegiate faculty member to teach and help administer investigative forensics classes. In 2014, Blankenship was promoted to program chair for public safety administration and investigative forensics. In 2017, Blankenship revived the homeland security program.

Blankenship is a board-certified forensic scientist, holding a Diplomate in General Criminalistics from the American Board of Criminalistics. She is also a member of the Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists. She represents MAAFS as a board member of the ABC and currently serves as treasurer of the ABC. She earned a Doctor of Management from UMGC, a Master of Forensic Sciences from The George Washington University, and a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Mary Washington College.

Rebecca Himes is a consultant and educator with more than 30 years of experience in homeland security, leadership, emergency management, public fire education, and public safety. She works with faculty in developing strategic plans for the program and course benchmarking and outcomes. She develops, pilots, and instructs courses and serves as a cooperative education instructor for students in the public safety administration program. She also serves as a course chair for homeland security courses.

Himes recently retired from the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she served as the administrative manager. Previously, she served as the institute's technology and certification manager and development manager. Presently, she is working as a curriculum designer and subject matter expert in the development/revision of the institute's course and is a Maryland emergency services instructor. Himes has a bachelor's degree in communications from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland; a bachelor's degree in technology and management and a Master of General Administration from University of Maryland Global Campus; and a master's degree in journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park.