Objective
This eight-part certificate series addresses several core competencies necessary for effectiveness in administrative support positions. These competencies are important regardless of a CT's level or location within the University.
Target Audience
What Participants Will Learn
Value-added Benefits
Individual Session Descriptions
Individual Development Activity
Participation and Certificate of Completion
Investment
Schedule of Current or Next Series Offering
Application
This series is designed for clerical-technical employees at all levels and with wide ranges of experience.
By completing the ETC-CT series, participants will be able to:
- Understand the MSU culture and how to work effectively within it
- Understand their personal behavioral style, its impact on others, and how work relationships can be enhanced and improved with this knowledge
- Apply effective communication skills and tools
- Deal constructively with conflict
- Understand and work effectively within a culturally diverse environment
- Manage time, tasks and priorities
- Deal constructively with ongoing change
- Provide excellent service in times of reduced resources
- Project a positive, confident and professional image
- Varied learning experiences including: case studies, role-plays, videos, group discussions, panel presentations, and lectures
- Networking with peers from other areas across campus
- Skilled facilitators who provide valuable and varied perspectives
- Enhanced confidence and proficiency
- Increased productivity and employee satisfaction
Session 1: Working and Growing at MSU
- Explores MSU’s work culture and its variations from department to department
- Focuses on University and departmental mission and how employees’ work supports both
- Explores the changing role of support staff at MSU
Session 2: Understanding Yourself and Others to Enhance Work Relationships
- Develops an understanding of personal behavioral style
- Helps participants interact more effectively with others
- Explores the impact of personal style on work relationships
- Gives participants the tools to manage these relationships more effectively
Session 3: Effective Communication
- Explores the characteristics of effective communication
- Identifies barriers to communication and the impact of sender and receiver “filters”
- Provides practical tools to enhance participants’ ability to communicate more effectively with others through the use of essential communication techniques
Session 4: Dealing with Conflict
- Explores the nature of conflict and approaches to dealing with it
- Provides a practical model for addressing workplace conflict, enabling participants to feel more confident and competent
Session 5: Working More Effectively in a Culturally Diverse Environment
- Enhances participants’ understanding of the impact of cross-cultural diversity
- Gives participants knowledge and tools to work more effectively in a culturally diverse environment
Session 6: Managing Time, Tasks and Priorities
- Presents the skills and knowledge necessary to reduce stress
- Provides tools to identify and clarify priorities
- Explores the lack of time to get everything done, along with value-based time management strategies
- Provides skills to be problem solvers in times of reduced resources and increased work
Session 7: Thriving in Times of Change
- Builds participants’ confidence and ability to deal with inevitable change
- Explores phases of change and the nature of resistance
- Gives practical tools for actively dealing more comfortably and proactively with change
Session 8: Service Excellence and Professional Image
- Explores the role every staff person plays as a departmental and University ambassador to those served
- Provides participants the opportunity to refocus on providing excellent service
- Presents strategies to maintain a professional image in all situations
In addition to attending all eight sessions, each participant selects an area of individual competency development to be addressed through classes, coaching, or mentoring. Possible individual development areas include: presentation skills, computer skills, writing, and leadership.
A certificate of successful completion will be awarded to participants who attend all eight sessions and participate in an individual development activity. Participants will also receive a letter for their personnel file indicating successful completion of the series.
The total investment for this program is $400. This may be covered by an individual participant’s educational assistance benefit or department payment.
Track J: Spring and Fall 2008
Session 1: Working and Growing at MSU
Monday, March 17, 2008
1:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Facilitator: Paulette Granberry-Russell
Session 2: Behavioral Style Assessment
Monday, April 14, 2008
1:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Facilitator: Rosemary Ward
Session 3: Effective Communication
Monday, May 12, 2008
1:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Facilitator: Lois Wolfe Morgan
Session 4: Surviving and Thriving in Conflict
Monday, June 23, 2008
10:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Facilitator: Lew Dotterer
Session 5: Working in a Diverse Environment
Monday, September 29, 2008
1:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Facilitators: Patricia Walters, David Horner
Session 6: Managing Time, Tasks and Priorities
Monday, October 20, 2008
1:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Facilitator: Lois Wolfe Morgan
Session 7: Thriving in Times of Change
Monday, November 10, 2008
1:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Facilitator: Lois Wolfe Morgan
Session 8: Service Excellence and Professional Image
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (followed by graduation and reception)
Facilitator: Debra Nelson Dunbar
Clerical employees interested in participating in this series should first discuss their interest with their supervisors. Then complete the ETC-CT Application and send it to Human Resource Development. Fax to (517) 432-2979 or mail to Suite 10 Nisbet Building.
For additional information about this series, contact Nancy Sanchez at sanchezn@hr.msu.edu or 517-884-169.