The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill has been named a “Center of Excellence” by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

UNC-Chapel Hill will lead a program with Jackson State University in Jackson, Miss., to study emergency preparedness.

The Center of Excellence for Natural Disasters, Coast Infrastructure and Emergency Management will focus on protecting people and property from natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and wildfires.

UNC-Chapel Hill is located in the congressional district of U.S. Rep. David Price, a Democrat and chairman of the appropriations subcommittee that funds the Department of Homeland Security.