Risk management for a changing world: How organizations plan for disruption and recovery

Does your organization or community have the resilience to survive when catastrophe strikes? Crises can emerge in many forms at any moment, and having to prepare and respond to these emergencies is the new normal. The COVID-19 pandemic, Los Angeles wildfires and Hurricane Helene’s destruction of Western North Carolina are only a few of the many examples. 

Today, organizations and communities are moving beyond “traditional recovery” to embrace strategic resilience. Ohio University’s Online Master of Sustainability Security and Resilience is helping to equip working professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to lead and address critical challenges, such as climate change, natural disasters and global crises. 

Strategic resilience is a new approach to managing the impacts of climate change including flooding, drought, unseasonable temperatures affecting resources and food systems, wildfires and others on communities and organizations. Resilient communities and organizations are able to better anticipate, prepare for, respond to and adapt to sudden crises or disruptions.

As climate change and other factors increase the frequency, severity and extent of disasters, community and organizational planning and development is critical for disaster preparedness and long-term resilience. Incorporating strategic resilience, planning, creating a framework, utilizing measurable assessments and other tools can help communities recover from a disaster, rebuild according to a shared community vision and be better prepared for the future.

Image

In the face of unprecedented change, communities will need new strategies to be resilient to the impacts of climate change including flooding, drought, unseasonable temperatures affecting resources and food systems, wildfires and other crises requiring appropriate policy solutions and strong environmental leadership.

OHIO’s Master of Sustainability, Security, and Resilience (MSSR) opens doors to a wide array of career opportunities across various industries. Graduates find themselves equipped to make a significant impact in roles such as government leaders shaping policy, disaster management experts ensuring community safety, architects and designers spearheading sustainable projects and educators preparing future generations for a changing world. 

Employment categories of graduates from resilience programs — including planning, emergency management, and environmental specialist — are all projected to be growth areas, with 5-10% growth estimated.

Public officials, community leaders, emergency personnel, environmental professionals and others working in this space recognize the need for additional training and education in climate change adaptation and resilience, and employers have identified the need for better communication and community engagement skills, improved understanding of climate change and crisis and risk management as key areas for improved education and training.

Whether you're at the mid-point of your career or looking to enter a new field, OHIO’s MSSR program provides the versatile skills and knowledge you need to thrive in careers in:

• Government and policy leadership
• Disaster response and management
• Sustainable design and architecture
• Educational leadership and curriculum development

According to an article from Sustainability Magazine, green skills in the realm of sustainability, security and resilience are in high demand. From 2021–2025, green hiring grew almost twice as fast as the share of workers who actually possess green skills (7.7% vs 4.3% globally).

In every one of the 47 countries analyzed, the share of green hires increased over this period, with countries such as Brazil, Canada, the US and the UK seeing annual green hiring growth well above green skills growth.

Image

Ohio University's online Master of Sustainability, Security and Resilience (MSSR) is tailored for working professionals seeking a dynamic educational experience. This entirely online program offers the flexibility to complete your degree in under two years, and there's no GRE requirement for application. Our program consists of three stackable certificates that you'll earn along the way, equipping you with the skills and knowledge needed to lead and address critical challenges, such as climate change, natural disasters, and global crises. 

• 100% online format designed for working professionals
• No thesis — the program concludes with a Capstone course to build a resilience implementation plan.
• Flexible start date — start any semester (Spring, Summer, or Fall)
• Earn your master's in just 18 months
• No GRE required for admission

Within Ohio University's Master of Sustainability, Security, and Resilience online program, you'll have the opportunity to delve into three distinct areas of expertise through our stackable certificates. These certificates are designed to equip you with specialized knowledge and hands-on experience, ensuring you graduate with a comprehensive skill set ready to address today's most critical challenges.

These certificates can be pursued individually, allowing you to specialize in a particular area, or combined to earn your Master of Sustainability, Security, and Resilience degree online. Whether you choose to stack certificates or pursue the full master's program, Ohio University is committed to providing you with a flexible and comprehensive education to meet your academic and professional goals.

For more information about Ohio University's Master of Sustainability, Security and Resilience online program, including application requirements, visit: https://www.ohio.edu/voinovich-school/graduate/environment/online-sustainability-security-resilience/application and https://www.ohio.edu/voinovich-school/graduate/environment/online-sustainability-security-resilience.