Professional leadership workshop series begins Thursday for faculty
The faculty workshop series Leadership Excellence will bring speakers, worksheets and discussion to staff looking for professional and leadership development.
The first session in the eight-part series is called "Foundations of Leadership" and will be held at 8:30 a.m. Thursday in Rowe Hall Room 229 speakers include Maxine Kent, associate vice president of Human Resources, and David Burdette, vice president of finance and administrative services.
"I basically talk about leadership and tie that to the university's mission and institutional core values," Kent said.
Kent said she encourages attendees to examine whether their goals and priorities are in line with the university's mission and vision.
Thirty-two staff members are registered for the event, and five off-campus staff will participate using the Web cast WIMBA.
"We're offering this to people of influence and aspiring leaders," said Human Resources Assistant Nate Holmes .
Holmes said the thoroughness of the series and its speakers ensure a great learning experience for attendees.
"They've got a pretty robust lineup," he said. "They give you a good well-rounded look into leadership and advisory."
Additional topics in the series include Leadership Styles, Effective Communication and Managing Conflict, the Winning Balance, Creating a Motivational Environment, Performance Management and Change and Continuous Improvement.
The series will conclude Nov. 13 with a session on University Theater and Celebration.
Michigan State University Human Resources faculty member Dawn Hecker is the only event speaker not employed by CMU.
"She started her own program similar to ours," Holmes said. "We're using that as a shell."
University President Michael Rao, Director of Strategy and Organizational Development Amy McGinnis, Assistant Director of Strategy and Organizational Development Harley Blake, Director of the Multicultural Education Center Ulana Klymyshyn, Assistant Director of University Recreation Programs Jen Nottingham, Recreation Parks and Leisure Services instructor Suzanne Gareiss, Assistant Director of Employment and Compensation Jerry Dimaria and Associate Dean Mike Owens are scheduled to speak at upcoming evens.
Kent said the event gives staff exposure to a variety of issues they will face as leaders at CMU.
"Past participants, and the supervisors of participants, have told us that they've seen positive changes in behavior," Kent said.
The next leadership excellence series will be held in the spring.
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