Employees recognized for completing professional development certificates

University of Toledo employees from both the main and Health Science campuses were recognized at a July 12 breakfast for their successful completion of a series of professional development certificates. UT President Dr. Lloyd Jacobs and College of Business and Innovation Dean Thomas Gutteridge presented the certificates of achievement.

“It was a great culmination of a full year of hard work for both students and the instructors,” noted Carrie Herr, Director, Executive Center for Global Competitiveness, College of Business and Innovation, which implemented the series. “This UT certificate ceremony recognized the accomplishments of the many employees who devoted a tremendous amount of time and study to pursue a learning journey that will directly benefit not only themselves, but our students and others served by the University.”

Courses, which were presented between September and June, were offered in three different certificate tracks: Managerial Finance and Budgeting (five courses), Leadership (eight courses) and Exceptional Customer Service (seven courses). While 45 people completed all of the courses necessary to earn one of the certificates, a total of 495 people enrolled in the courses.
Instructors included several COBI faculty members, UT administrators and other subject matter experts.

“As we go through turbulent times, people have to reinvent themselves and develop their skillsets. The people within a university will make or break the university’s success,” Gutteridge observed.

“COBI frequently talks about the importance of lifelong learning, and these certificate programs are what lifelong learning is really about. It is a marvelous thing for people to take advantage of the opportunities- - in a peer-to peer environment - - that exist. Their efforts advance the mission and vision of The University of Toledo. It personifies the focus of action learning, which is to apply what you learn in the real world, in your day to day job,” Gutteridge said.

This sentiment was echoed by Nancy Koerner, UT’s Director of Planned Giving, who completed both the Managerial Finance and Budgeting series as well as the Leadership series.

“We built relationships throughout these classes, and I now know people to call while working on certain projects,” Koerner said. “It was great to be involved with people from both the main and Health Science campuses throughout this series, because none of us functions in a silo. I’ve gained insight into how we are all inter-related and how one decision impacts the whole University.”

“This was an amazing opportunity offered to staff,” she added. “The University has invested back in their own people, and there have been immediate and long-term payoffs for the employees and for the divisions in which we work. I have utilized on a daily basis what we have learned in the classes.”
Reflective of their commitment to providing quality service, the entire staff of Rocket Solution Central completed one series.

“The staff of Rocket Solution Central is thankful to have been given the opportunity and support to participate in the Exceptional Customer Service Certificate program,” said Lisa Hasselschwert, Director. “Each session was presented in a professional, enthusiastic and well thought-out manner. Each series provided an opportunity to develop individual steps to implement the new skills into our daily interactions with customers.”

“Since we work with students, parents and others on a daily basis, we are always concerned about providing exceptional service,” Hasselschwert added. “This series allowed us to review techniques as well as learn new techniques to improve listening, communication and conflict resolution skills.
We will continue to incorporate these skills into our daily interactions with students as they seek our assistance with registration, financial aid and payment processes.”

Congratulations to all who successfully completed one or more of the certificate series: Managerial Finance and Budgeting: Gracie Brown, Diane Eisel, Aimee Falk, Christine Filzer, Duana Huggins, Nancy Koerner, Janice Kusowski, Kelly Manahan, Jacki McBee, Stephany Mikols, Sheryl Milz, Diana Raider, Gail Simpson, Lansing Stoll, David Walczak; Leadership: Diane Eisel, Ecole Eisenhard, Kim Govan, Reynaldo Guerra, Sadik Khuder, Nancy Koerner, Vickie Kuntz, Misa Mi, Roxanne Ring, Sherris Schwind, Carol Stamm, Rodney Theis, Joanna Tyson, Charles Williams; Exceptional Customer Service: Joe Bendix, Donna Buza, Bill Connolly, Debbra Cooper, Jennifer Dietsch, Tamika Dobbins, Charlene Hansen, Lisa Hasselschwert, Gerri Jacobs, Adelina Jaime, Elizabeth McKnight, Tenley Petersen, Lee Reany, Mary Schneider, Terrina White, Jason Woodward, Lisa Young

“Talent management is a very critical component for UT’s future success in today’s changing global marketplace,” Herr said. “I think everyone’s commitment to these certificates is a great milestone for UT.”