STORMWATER UNIVERSITY

Nashville, Tennessee start-up explores new approaches to industry challenges with benefits for a wide range of professionals

“ Learn from our expert instructors through interactive courses, live an on-demand webinars Brush up on your skills through our fundamental courses, explore new approaches to industry challenges and earn credits along the way.” --Nick Phillips, Senior Director of Continuing Education (Endeavor Business Media the parent company of Stormwater University)

Interview with Nick Phillips, Senior Director of Continuing Education

By Suzanne Forcese

WT: Please give us an overview of Stormwater University including when it was founded and the journey that inspired the founding of your start-up.

Phillips: Founded in 2021, Stormwater University was established with a mission to empower stormwater professionals by providing high-quality educational resources. The platform draws upon the expertise of industry leaders to offer a comprehensive range of courses on critical topics like BMP monitoring, flood modeling, green infrastructure, and compliance with regulatory standards.

The journey to launch Stormwater University began with the realization of the growing need for specialized education in stormwater management. As the industry faces evolving challenges— driven by factors such as climate change and urban expansion— professionals require ongoing education to stay up to date with the latest trends and regulatory frameworks. By creating an easy-to-use platform, we sought to ensure that education remains not only accessible but also engaging for professionals at every level, from engineers to inspectors.

Since its founding, Stormwater University has become a trusted resource for professionals seeking to advance their skills, earn professional development hours (PDHs), and remain at the cutting edge of industry best practices.

WT: Tell us about the combined talent of the team.

Phillips: The Stormwater University consists of myself, Robin Pugh who is our CE manager and Jennifer Wayne who handles marketing. We also collaborate with Katie Johns, the editor-in-chief of Stormwater Solutions magazine, as well as several stormwater subject matter experts.

WT: How does your platform work?

Phillips: Stormwater University offers an intuitive, user-friendly platform designed to provide seamless access to educational content. Once users register, they can browse through our diverse catalogue of courses and choose the ones that suit their professional development needs. Each course is structured to deliver engaging, high-quality lessons through videos, readings, and assessments.

After completing a course, participants are awarded a certificate that can be submitted to their state’s governing authority for continuing education credits or professional development hours (PDHs).

Our platform is designed to be accessible from any device, ensuring that learners can study at their own pace, anytime and anywhere. It also maintains an organized, easy-to-navigate interface to make learning enjoyable and efficient.

WT: Who is the platform designed for?  

Phillips: Stormwater University is designed for a wide range of professionals within the stormwater industry who are seeking to enhance their knowledge and stay up to date with best practices and regulatory requirements. Our courses cater to:

Executives and Elected Officials responsible for overseeing stormwater management policies and initiatives.

Superintendents, Managers, Foremen, and Supervisors who manage stormwater projects and teams.

Inspectors, Engineers, and Technicians who handle the technical aspects of stormwater systems, ensuring compliance and functionality.

Project Managers involved in the planning, execution, and completion of stormwater infrastructure projects.

WT: Tell us about the courses and credits offered.

Phillips: Stormwater University offers a wide range of courses that address critical areas of stormwater management, including:

BMP Monitoring

Flood Modeling & Mitigation

Green Infrastructure

Industrial Stormwater

Programs, Permits & Compliance

Transportation & Construction

Each course is designed to help professionals stay informed about the latest industry trends, best practices, and regulatory requirements. While Stormwater University does not directly offer credentials, we are an Approved EnviroCert International, Inc.® Provider, which means our courses can be used to fulfill certain professional development requirements. Upon successful completion of each course, learners receive certificates that can be submitted to their state’s governing authority for continuing education credits or professional development hours (PDHs).

WT: Are your courses recognized by all states in the US? What about Canada? Mexico?

Phillips: A majority of jurisdictions, municipalities, states and over 30 countries accept or require EnviroCert International certification. Check with your specific jurisdiction, municipality, state or country to verify acceptance.

WT: Even if there would be no recognition outside of the US how would the courses be of benefit?

Phillips: Stormwater University’s courses offer significant benefits to a wide range of professionals within the stormwater industry, regardless of their specific roles or levels of experience. Here’s how our courses provide value:

Up-to-date Knowledge: Our courses ensure that professionals stay informed about the latest regulatory changes, technologies, and best practices in stormwater management.

Career Advancement: By completing these courses, learners can earn professional development hours (PDHs), which are often required to maintain certifications and demonstrate ongoing education in the field.

Improved Job Performance: Whether you're an executive making policy decisions, a technician working in the field, or a project manager overseeing stormwater initiatives, our courses equip you with actionable knowledge that directly enhances your day-to-day work.

Broadened Skillset: From BMP monitoring to flood modelling and compliance, our courses cover a wide range of topics, ensuring that professionals can develop a holistic understanding of the stormwater industry.

Increased Compliance: For those responsible for meeting regulatory standards, our courses help ensure compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines, reducing risks and potential penalties.

Overall, our comprehensive curriculum is designed to benefit professionals across all areas of the stormwater industry, helping them to stay effective, efficient, and compliant in their roles.

WT: It's back to school time -- are there any educational videos that teachers could use in classrooms to inspire positive environmental discussions?

Phillips: We offer a variety of educational videos that can be valuable resources for teachers aiming to inspire positive environmental discussions in their classrooms. While our primary focus is on professional development for stormwater experts, many of our topics, such as green infrastructure and flood mitigation, are highly relevant for students learning about environmental science, sustainability, and climate change.

WT: Please tell us about Stormwater Awareness Week September 23- 27 and what you are offering.

Phillips: We are hosting a special webinar Nature Ignores Design that IgnoresNature on September 26 that review various site planning and design techniques, approaches, principles, successes, pitfalls and roadblocks to designing, establishing and maintaining Green Infrastructure systems and how these landscapes can integrate with well-designed environments. 

WT: Moving forward...what's next?

Phillips: As we look ahead, Stormwater University is committed to expanding our offerings and continuing to support stormwater professionals in their education and career development.

In 2025, we plan to host several webinars each month, providing more opportunities for live, interactive learning experiences with industry experts.

Stormwater management may seem like a behind-the-scenes operation, but its impact is everywhere—on our roads, in our communities, and in the natural world we all depend on. Every drop of rainwater that hits the ground is part of a much bigger story about sustainability, climate resilience, and environmental health. At Stormwater University, we believe that every professional in the field has the power to make a difference, whether it’s through innovative solutions like green infrastructure or simply staying informed about the latest regulations and best practices.

Register for the Free Stormwater Awareness Week Webinar