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Assistant Professor

University of Central Oklahoma

About

Alyssa L. Provencio, Ph.D., (you can call her Dr. P) is an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science and faculty in the Master of Public Administration program at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO). Provencio's teaching and research interests include issues of gender, race, vulnerability, representative bureaucracy, consensus building, and community empowerment in emergency and disaster management. In her research related to higher education, she has examined mentorship, various aspects of DEI, and inclusive pedagogy.

At UCO, she also serves as the Academic Affairs equity advocate, is the director of the leadership minor for the College of Liberal Arts and coordinates the Disaster Management Certificate for the MPA program. She has served as Faculty Senate president since May 2022.

​Professionally, she has worked for a number of nonprofit organizations, including the Clinton Foundation and attributes her passion for emergency management to the time she spent in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. 

Provencio’s hometown is Derby, Kansas, and she is a graduate of Oklahoma State University, University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service and Kansas State University.

​In her free time, Provencio enjoys swimming, spinning/cycling, scuba diving, baking, and exploring the outdoors. She lives in rural Oklahoma with her better half, Tom, their cat, Lou, and dog, Biggs. 

Classes Taught

Public Administration

  • Fundamentals of Emergency Management
  • Populations at Risk
  • Cultural Competency in Organizations
  • Research Methods (Qualitative)
  • Public Administration Dynamics
  • Environmental Justice
  • Gender in Public Administration

Political Science

  • American National Government  

Leadership

  • Theories of Leadership
  • Civic Leadership Capstone
  • Leadership in Crises

Education and Certifications

Ph.D., Fire and Emergency Management Administration, Oklahoma State University

M.P.S., Public Service, University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service

B.S., Hotel and Restaurant Management, Emphasis: Event Planning and Coordination, Kansas State University

Office Hours

By appointment anytime during regular business hours (M-F, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.) by request. You may schedule a meeting during any available time slot here: https://calendly.com/aprovencio.

Teaching Philosophy

To inspire students to embrace the educational process through my enthusiasm for, knowledge of, and experience with emergency management. I aim for an equitable classroom and to provide learning opportunities for all students by being inclusive, open-minded, and creative. I favor classroom dynamics that permit dialogue and open communication. I also believe in active learning and flipped classrooms, where exploration and practice are of prime importance.

Research, Published Work, and Scholarly Activities

See personal website (link above).

Professional and Community Involvement

See personal website (link above).

The views expressed by UCO faculty and staff on their personal websites and social media pages do not necessarily reflect the positions of the University of Central Oklahoma. UCO faculty and staff are advised to follow the university’s social media guidelines and are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with policies outlined in UCO’s Employee Handbook and/or Faculty Handbook.