GCSU steering professional development with Leadership & Management Academy

by Kristen Simpson

C ontinuing & Professional Education is offering management expertise through Leadership and Management Essentials Certificate at Georgia College & State University.

Dr. Harold Mock, center, teaching a leadership workshop (photo by Kristen Simpson)

The certificate program takes local businesses, school districts, healthcare organizations and municipalities through a four-day workshop where they're taught additional communication, budgeting and project management skills by leading faculty.

"We developed the Leadership & Management Academy as a place where municipalities, school districts or businesses could advance their leadership skills, come to us and help their employees," said School of Continuing and Professional Studies Executive Director Angela Criscoe.

Each day of the workshop is a new course topic with a different instructor. Leadership essentials, business fundamentals, people management and team building are some of the topics they cover, and each subject could be taught from a pool of expert faculty.

• Dr. Harold Mock, director of Leadership Programs at Georgia College and assistant professor of history.
• Dr. Ward Risvold, assistant professor of business communications.
• Dr. Jennifer Graham, associate dean of students for Student Integrity and Success.
• Dr. Aric Wilhau, assistant professor of management.
• Dr. Liz Speelman, director of the Outdoor Center and senior lecturer of outdoor education.

Program participant Laura Calfee (photo by Kristen Simpson)

"It's a joy to teach such a wonderful group of public servants through the Leadership & Management Academy," Mock said. "My hope for each of our students is that they leave our session empowered to provide the very best leadership on behalf of their communities."

The program debuted with a course for the city of Chamblee, Georgia. Since then, the program has served Forsyth, Georgia, and school districts, with an advanced certificate in development.

"It's an intimate group, but it's very interactive," said Laura Calfee, capital projects financial manager for Forsyth on day one. "I've learned a lot already so far, and I appreciate the material that's being covered."

Course material was designed with collaboration in mind, so it can be customized to fit the needs of specific industries or niche businesses. To do so, interested parties should contact Director of Continuing & Professional Education, Angie Woodham, at [email protected] or 478-445-5278.

"Programs like the LMA help enhance employee engagement, satisfaction and preparedness for higher-level roles, reducing turnover and building leadership capacity," Woodham said. "We are proud to bring the LMA to Georgia, as it fosters lifelong learning and professional growth through impactful, real-world applications."

LMA workshop participants complete hands-on activities and case studies, guided by the GCSU faculty experts. (Photo by Kristen Simpson)

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