Academic and Training Program Hub

CAESER is a multidisciplinary research center based at the University of Memphis, where our mission is to advance science and technology to address complex societal challenges across environmental, infrastructure, and community systems. Through interdisciplinary research, innovation, and collaboration, we transform discovery into actionable knowledge, tools, and solutions that improve quality of life.By partnering with communities, government, industry, and academia, we translate research into practiceand strengthen the resilience, sustainability, and performance of systems that support society at local, regional, and national scales.

The online Disaster Mental Health Graduate Certificate has been offered through the Disaster Mental Health Institute (DMHI) at the University of South Dakota since 1997. DMHI is one of the leading agencies in the world in the field of disaster psychology. The certificate is offered 100% online, making it more accessible across the nation and throughout the world.This certificate is ideal for civic officials, emergency managers, first responders (firefighters, law enforcement officers, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians), and disaster relief workers to advance their knowledge of this critical field, as recommended by the National Biodefense Science Board. Participants in this category, however, cannot receive the American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Services certificate.

HVRI was established in 1995 as the Hazards Research Lab. In 2006, HRL was elevated to an institute status by the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences and then approved by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. Its mission was to conduct basic research on hazard vulnerability and resilience; train the next generation of hazard scientists and practitioners; and through engagement and outreach to governmental agencies and communities assist in the improvement of emergency preparedness, planning, response, and recovery at local, state, national, and international scales. Given the national and international reputation of HVRI, in 2013 it became an International Center of Excellence on Vulnerability and Resilience Metrics (ICoE-VaRM), an honor bestowed by the International Science Council (ISC) and the UNDRR Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR).In 2022 HVRI merged with the Carolinas Integrated Sciences and Assessments a project established under NOAA’s RISA program, led by Dr. Kirstin Dow. The merger enabled an expansion of HVRI into the climate and climate arena and led to a new name, Hazards Vulnerability and Resilience Institute (HVRI). An updated mission statement now reflects the strengths in spatial analytical approaches for integrating hazard and climate information to advance equitable planning and management and adaptive capacity in communities as they build resilience to disaster risks and climate change. HVRI’s engagement throughout the state has expanded with its new mission.HVRI is supported by external resources from state agencies (Office of Resilience, Emergency Management Division, State Climate Office). It also receives grants from a variety of federal agencies including NOAA, NASA, NSF, the National Academies Gulf Research Program, and from non-profits such as Feeding America.

The minor in climate resiliency and environmental sustainability studies is an interdisciplinary minor designed to help undergraduate students gain climate and environmental science literacy; develop an understanding of the interactions between climate and the natural environment and an appreciation of sustainability from a variety of perspectives such as business and engineering; and create and/ or participate in a project related to local environmental and sustainability efforts. Students pursuing the minor will have the opportunity to take a variety of classes addressing climate resiliency and environmental sustainability studies culminating in a capstone course. The capstone course will provide the students a chance to build upon their previous coursework in the minor through a semester long research project, service-learning activity or internship.

The Center serves the students and faculty of The Citadel and citizens of South Carolina by enhancing understanding of climate and its variability, change and risks through education, research, outreach and the development of public-private partnerships. To achieve this, the Center is:1. facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration among faculty, students and external constituents;2. fostering partnerships between industry, government agencies and the academy;3. providing students, faculty, and external constituents access to data, emerging technologies and research and other resources related to climate science;4. facilitating innovative and entrepreneurial solutions to real-world concerns related to climate science by developing the technical and non-technical knowledge and skills of its constituents;5. guiding curriculum development in atmospheric and climate science.Finally, the Center has identified three priority themes based on gaps in national climate science research, capacity at The Citadel, and conversations with leaders in the Lowcountry and the state who have highlighted their importance: 1) national security, 2) coastal environments and infrastructure, and 3) public health and welfare. The Center is conducting federally-funded research in these areas and is also providing faculty grants to enhance climate science research in the college. For more information see the Climatological Research Studies Grant program page. In addition to funding, there are opportunities for students, faculty and external constituents to affiliate formally through our Climate Fellows program.

Located at the College of Charleston, the Center for Coastal Environmental and Human Health (CCEHH) serves as a hub for faculty and students whose research, teaching and learning interests relate to the interaction between coastal environments and human health.The center encourages the understanding and appreciation for the roles a healthy coastal environment. It ensures the continuation of healthy, resilient and sustainable coastal areas. Founded by marine scientist and former Senior Science Advisor to the NOAA Administrator, Paul Sandifer '68.

The Sc.B. in Environmental Sciences and Studies is a more in-depth treatment of a single field: Climate and Energy; Conservation and Natural Systems; Environmental Justice and Health; Sustainable Development and Governance

The A.B. in Environmental Sciences and Studies ensures undergraduates obtain a holistic and interdisciplinary understanding of the environment.