(from left) Dr. Wesley Donahue, founder of the Centrestar Academy, and Dr. Joseph Youngblood, II, vice provost and dean of the Watson School of Public Service and Continuing Studies
TRENTON, N.J. – The John S. Watson School of Public Service and Continuing Studies at Thomas Edison State University has launched a leadership development program to help employers build capacity and retain top talent.
The Professional Development Business Leadership Series provides a skills-based program that is designed for front line supervisors, mid-level managers and senior executives in the public and private sectors. It is being developed in partnership Centrestar Academy, a leading provider of on-demand, self-paced courses for working professionals.
“This new series aligns critical leadership skills with the vision, mission and strategic goals of businesses and organizations,” said Dr. Joseph Youngblood II, vice provost and dean of the university’s John S. Watson School of Public Service and Continuing Studies. “The program enables the university to provide a full menu of educational and training services to vertically engage our clients and address the specific educational and training needs of several workforce and professional categories in New Jersey and the region.”
For those on an upward trajectory in their organization, the training could bridge to an undergraduate degree from the university. The courses and certificates in this series will promote interactive learning in online, on-demand, on-site and blended formats.
Three areas of concentration in the series include:
- Front Line Supervisor, which offers supervisory fundamentals, covers performance management, teamwork, resolving workplace challenges and workforce improvement
- Mid-level Manager, which focuses on the people, process and operational issues in the organization
- Senior Executive, the strategic leadership component of the series
The on-site format of the program is currently available for corporate clients. The school’s Continuing and Professional Studies unit is developing the online version of the program, which is scheduled to be available later in 2018. Businesses interested in the program can contact the school at cps@tesu.edu or (609) 777-5642.
Toni M. Terry, BA