Build stronger communities through effective public engagement

(The Effective Public Engagement course will build your skills to benefit your community. Photo by Jamie Bright)

Press release

PANHANDLE -- The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is offering its third non-credit microcredential course designed to strengthen practical skills in public participation and community engagement.

The Public Participation and Engagement (P2E)  course will be held Feb. 15 - April 12. It is a self-paced online course. 

 The course will help participants build confidence and capacity to plan and implement engagement strategies that lead to productive dialogue, meaningful deliberation, and positive outcomes for communities. Instructors are Marilyn Schlake, Extension Educator Emerita, and Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, Extension Specialist with Rural Prosperity Nebraska 

 Engagement, when done well, brings diverse people together to share stories, voice perspectives, and build trust. This dialogue strengthens understanding across differing views and leads to better-informed public decisions. Effective engagement is the difference between doing something to a community and doing something with a community.

 Course Overview

• Eight self-paced, online modules

• Homework assessments, interactive discussion boards, and optional Zoom sessions with instructors

• Approximately 15-20 hours total over an eight-week period

• Course dates: Feb. 15 – April 12 

• Registration fee: $250, NU Staff receive a $100 discount with code M8759P

• Register by Saturday, Feb. 14 

 Upon successful completion, participants will earn a University of Nebraska microcredential badge and receive a Certificate of Completion.

 The badge is designed for professionals and community stakeholders who work with diverse groups and public issues, including Community Developers, Extension Educators, Chamber of Commerce, tourism, and economic development professionals, and nonprofit and civic organization leaders.

 Registration is online at: https://advance.nebraska.edu/browse/unl/courses/public-participation-and-engagement---spring-2026

 For more information, contact: Burkhart at [email protected] or Schlake at [email protected]. 

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Nebraska Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture. Nebraska Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.