As the inaugural cohort of the new Leadership Certificate Program wraps up its training, Learning and Development Associate Director Chasity Bree is thrilled to have been able to tap into the vast network of talented speakers and leaders at Illinois State University to serve as facilitators, and also include external speakers from diverse industries to enrich the experience for participants.
This first cohort included leaders and emerging leaders from more than 40 departments across all campus divisions, colleges, and units. Participants had the opportunity to dive deeper into topics such as organizational communications, managing performance, ethical leadership principles, teambuilding and morale, leadership styles, and more. Training modes included in-person sessions, cross-departmental/divisional dialogue opportunities, executive and external guest speakers, and self-paced eLearning courses focused on enriching essential leadership competencies for improved communication, coaching, performance management, change management, and conflict management, while motivating and inspiring others.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to learn and grow with colleagues from all across campus. It is often said that the people are the best part of working at Illinois State University, and time spent as a participant in the Leadership Certificate Program has proven that to be true once again!
Kara Snyder – College of Applied Science and Technologies
Kara Snyder, assistant dean of marketing, communication, and constituent relations in the College of Applied Science and Technology, notes that “I have found my time in the Leadership Certificate Program to be valuable because of my interactions with others outside of my unit. I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to learn and grow with colleagues from all across campus. It is often said that the people are the best part of working at Illinois State University, and time spent as a participant in the Leadership Certificate Program has proven that to be true once again!”
The program itself required participation in six core training areas:
- Team Dynamics
- Performance Management
- Managing Difficult Conversations and Situations
- Navigating Through Change
- Leading from the Middle
- Leadership Styles and Management Models
Speakers for the program included faculty from the College of Business, College of Arts and Sciences, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost’s Office, and more (as additional community, professional, and speakers from around the state have also lent their expertise to speak and facilitate). Along with these core sessions, additional in-person and virtual synchronous elective required sessions (participants picked at least four) were offered and included topics on motivational interviewing, restorative practices, organizational communication, radical hospitality, and onboarding. Beyond that learning and engagement, this cohort also interfaced with at least six hours of LinkedIn Learning self-paced coursework to complete the certificate requirements.
I’m not usually a fan of socializing with folks I don’t know well, but getting together to learn from and with campus partners from different departments and colleges has been invaluable. We all have so much to offer and so many different perspectives
– Ashley Pritts, Office of Equal Opportunity and Access
Participants were able also along the way to provide feedback on their learning and how they are/were applying it. Ashley Pritts, an assistant director in the Office for Equal Opportunity and Access remarked, “From Stacy Parton’s insights on how to support our students’ “adult-olescent” challenges with mental health to Sergeant Michael Gardner’s expert tips on de-escalation and facilitating difficult conversations, I have learned practical techniques for dealing with some of the most challenging areas of the work I currently face.” She went on to add “I’m not usually a fan of socializing with folks I don’t know well, but getting together to learn from and with campus partners from different departments and colleges has been invaluable. We all have so much to offer and so many different perspectives on how to be an example of a good (or bad!) leader.”
Amy Secretan from the Honors Program has found that applying the content as it is learned can be a great way to solidify the learning and make it more directly transferrable.
“I attended a recent session on team building, I enjoyed one of the activities so much I implemented it three days later with a team I supervise, and it was a huge hit! We had a great conversation about adaptability, and how sometimes what seems like a clear and straightforward task can still benefit from teamwork and active listening skills.”
As for learning from others across campus and engaging in continuous learning, Secretan added, “You should never be complacent with “just getting by” or “good enough”, and this program really allows me to get outside my comfort zone, learn different ways of managing situations, and seek to find new ways of being excellent.”
As this year’s cohort comes to an end, planning has already begun and some changes are being looked at to build upon the 2023-2024 success. Bree is excited to get back to work for the next cohort, find a few more unique speakers and engagement activities, and keep the campus learning from one another across divisions and units at Illinois State University. One facet of the program will remain the same—building and enhancing collaborative experiential learning that connects staff and faculty who are sometimes separated by different colleges or divisions across the University.
For more information on current learning, visit the Human Resources website and training calendar.
