Enhance Your Impact with the Public Participation and Engagement (P2E) Badge
Effective engagement brings groups and individuals together, enabling them to share their stories, express opinions, and build trust. Meaningful dialogue fosters understanding of differing perspectives, leading to better-informed public decisions. Community involvement in decision-making makes them feel heard and valued, creating more substantial buy-in and fostering positive relationships with institutions, organizations, and government bodies.
Engagement isn’t just about “doing something to a community”—it’s about partnering with them to build something better together. It’s a powerful community-building strategy with measurable positive outcomes.
Mastering the art of engagement requires skill, effort, and a solid strategy. The P2E Badge equips you with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to design and implement effective engagement processes. This badge will empower you to lead dialogues and deliberations that drive productive, inclusive, and impactful public decision-making.
Take the next step in your journey to make a difference—invest in your engagement expertise with the P2E Badge today!
REGISTRATION DETAILS
Whether you're in the public, private, or nonprofit sector, the P2E course equips you with practical tools and strategies to enhance community engagement and drive success in your initiatives.
Invest in your professional growth and make a lasting impact in your community. Enroll in the P2E course today!
Course Schedule - October 5th - December 7th
Registration: $250, https://advance.nebraska.edu/browse/unl/courses/public-participation-and-engagement---fall-2025
Register by Friday, October 3, 2025.
Advance Your Career with the P2E Course
The P2E course is designed to elevate the skills of professionals and community stakeholders who work with diverse community issues and dynamics. Whether you're navigating complex challenges or seeking to foster meaningful connections, this course empowers you to lead with confidence and impact.
Who Can Benefit?
Local Leaders
Chamber of Commerce members, tourism and economic development professionals.
Community Advocates
Civic group leaders, parks and recreation staff, event coordinators, youth and church group organizers.
Government & Public Service
Elected officials, public service employees, and those engaging in public policy or decision-making.
Private Sector Professionals
Consultants and businesses that work with communities requiring public input.
Course Details:
- The course contains 8 self-paced, online modules. It also includes homework assessments, interactive discussion boards, and optional zoom sessions with instructors.
Course Overview and Design (Learning Canvas Platform)
Unit 1 - Understanding Community Engagement
Unit 2 - Designing for Engagement
Unit 3 - Doing Engagement
- Participants should expect to spend approximately 10-15 hours total to complete the course over the 8-week period.
- Upon successful completion, participants will earn a micro-credential badge through the University of Nebraska, and receive a Certificate of Completion.
Instructors:
Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel is an Extension Specialist - Rural Prosperity Nebraska and is located at the Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff. She has over 30 years of experience collaborating with rural communities and specializing in newcomer attraction and retention, workforce development and customer service. Currently Dr. Burkhart-Kriesel teaches two online graduate courses, one in community engagement and the other in workforce development.
Marilyn Schlake is an Emeriti Extension Educator- Rural Prosperity Nebraska and is located in Lincoln. Her 25 years of community development experience for the University of Nebraska has covered a variety of areas including entrepreneurial business development, community visioning and action planning and newcomer recruitment and retention. She is an instructor of a graduate level community engagement course that focuses on group dynamics and facilitation techniques.
For more information, email cburkhartkriesel1@unl.edu or mschlake1@unl.edu.