Secure Your Spot in a New Continuing and Professional Education Short Course Taught at George Mason University!
September 10, 2025. The Center for Climate Strategies (CCS), in collaboration with George Mason University’s Virginia Climate Center and the Institute for a Sustainable Earth (ISE), is pleased to announce the launch of a new virtual short course: Resilience, Public Engagement, and Community Problem Solving. The course will be led by Tom Peterson, CCS President and CEO, Adjunct Faculty member at Mason, Lecturer at Johns Hopkins University, and City of Fairfax Council Member. The course is now open for enrollment through Mason’s Continuing and Professional Education program. Early bird discount ends Friday, September 12!
Resiliency planning and problem solving across economic sectors can enable local communities to improve strength and stability in the face of diverse challenges. Now more than ever, the ability to forecast and adapt to a variety of changing conditions is critical. This growing need is consistent with Mason’s longstanding recognition of the importance bridging local community engagement with university capabilities, as well as CCS’s emphasis on using community collaboration and creative technical thinking to solve complex problems with balanced solutions.
About the Course
This short course provides a primer on resilience concepts, public engagement, and community problem solving, with direct application to local, regional, and tribal governments in Virginia and other locations. Over six weeks, participants will explore:
Resilience Concepts and Community Actions: Definitions, drivers of local risk and vulnerability, and practical response options.
Public Engagement Frameworks and Strategies: Stepwise collaboration, consensus building, and tools for inclusive decision making.
Applied Synthesis: Integrating engagement and problem-solving practices to address specific challenges in multi-objective, real-world contexts.
What to Expect
Format: 100% virtual, conducted over six weeks (October 13 – November 21, 2025)
Duration: Three modules totaling ~10 hours of instruction and applied learning
Structure: Preparatory materials, live weekday sessions, and instructor office hours
Certification: Participants will earn 1 Continuing Education Unit (CEU) upon completion
Instructor: Tom Peterson, CCS President and CEO, George Mason University Adjunct Faculty member, Johns Hopkins University Lecturer, City of Fairfax Council Member
Why Enroll?
✔ Gain tools and frameworks to frame community-level resilience challenges
✔ Learn how to design inclusive, collaborative public engagement processes
✔ Build problem-solving strategies tailored to complex, multi-sector issues
✔ Strengthen your ability to advise leaders on practical, community-supported resiliency goals
✔ Apply case studies and lessons with special relevance for Virginia localities
Registration & Discounts
Standard Cost: $700
Early Bird (10% off): $630 (register by September 12)
Group Discount (20% off, 2 or more): $560 per person
Final Registration Deadline: October 3, 2025
What’s Next
Now is the perfect time to secure your spot in this unique offering. Learn how to build resilience and foster meaningful community engagement to address today’s pressing climate, energy, and infrastructure challenges.
Visit the course page to learn more about the course and registration.
