Professional Development Programs
Southern State Community College will host a series of professional development courses specifically designed to meet the evolving needs of professionals. Participants can expect to gain practical insights, enhance their expertise, and stay informed of industry trends. Whether a seasoned professional looking to upskill or just entering the workforce, this program is tailored to cater to various career stages.
Courses Offered
- Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace
- Workplace DiSC: Appreciating Diverse Styles
- Assertive Communication Skills with Interpersonal Influences
- Communication 360
- Building Your Influencing Skills
- Navigating Difficult Conversations
- Becoming More Confident at Giving Feedback and Less Anxious about Receiving It
- Managing Conflict with Confidence
- Moving from Peer to Supervisor
- Adapting to and Leading Change
- Working More Effectively with Your Leadership
- Improving Relationships with Colleagues
- Adapting to and Leading Change
- Customer Service - Building Better Relationships
*There are only 25 seats per session. Sign Up Now!
Meet the Instructor
Filomena Nelson M.ED
Filomena Nelson, owner of APEx Training Associates, brings 25 years of experience as a coach, facilitator, and educator. Her expertise and focus are on communication skills, leadership development and organizational development. She has partnered extensively with both individuals and teams, enhancing their skills to meet the needs of today's fast-paced, always changing work environments. Filomena holds a M. ED and has also completed post graduate work in Instructional System Design.
- Emotional Intelligence in the Workspace
- Date: Tuesday, July 23, 2024
- Sign In: 7:30 AM
- Program: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Location: Hillsboro | RM: 344
- Cost: $190
- Program Description: Research has shown that people with high emotional intelligence (EI) are consistently top organizational performers. They are respected throughout the organization because of their resiliency and flexibility during challenging times. Emotional intelligence is defined by the ability to understand and manage our emotions and those around us. This quality assists individuals in managing relationships, navigating social networks, influencing, and inspiring others.
- Registration: Complete the Professional Development Registration form. Registration closes two weeks before the event date.
- Workplace DiSC: Appreciating Diverse Styles
- Date: Wednesday, August 14, 2024
- Sign In: 7:30 AM
- Program: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Location: Hillsboro | RM: 344
- Cost: $350
- Note: Registration deadline is July 31st | Assessment required and completed by August 7th | This Session is Non-Refundable or Transferable
- Note: Lunch on your own
- Program Description: DiSC® is a personal assessment tool used by more than one million people every year to help improve teamwork, communication, and productivity in the workplace. Organizations and facilitators use these profiles as tools to help ignite cultural change, inspiring lasting behavior changes that positively shape their workforce.
Everything DiSC Workplace ® offers critical soft skills training to help learners and individuals increase self-awareness, gain insights into their own behaviors and those of others, understand and appreciate the work styles of others, learn how to communicate and persuade more effectively and create strategies for overcoming challenges when working with people of different DiSC® styles. - Registration: Complete the Professional Development Registration form. Registration closes two weeks before the event date.
- Assertive Communication Skills with Interpersonal Influences
- Date: Thursday, August 22, 2024
- Sign In: 7:30 AM
- Program: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Location: Hillsboro | RM: 344
- Cost: $315
- Note: Lunch on your own
- Program Description: Assertive individuals communicate their thoughts, feelings, and needs confidently while respecting the rights of others. Speaking up and advocating for yourself helps you focus on priorities and goals while better managing your time. We often say "Yes" to requests from others because we believe it demonstrates we are a good team player. However, saying "No" directly and confidently can help us gain respect and build better relationships. Communicating assertively is also an effective way to resolve issues without defensiveness.
- Registration: Complete the Professional Development Registration form. Registration closes two weeks before the event date.
- Communication 360
- Date: Tuesday, September 24, 2024
- Sign In: 7:30 AM
- Program: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Location: Hillsboro | RM: 106
- Cost: $190
- Program Description: Demands to produce and meet deadlines often result in poor communication on the job, thus causing issues with quality, customer service, and team effectiveness. Success on the job requires you to be able to communicate your ideas and expectations clearly to others at all levels of the organization. However, research indicates that effective communicators spend more time listening than talking. This program provides tools for communicating your messages more clearly and actively listening to "get it right the first time."
- Registration: Complete the Professional Development Registration form. Registration closes two weeks before the event date.
- Building Your Influencing Skills
- Date: Tuesday, October 1, 2024
- Sign In: 7:30 AM
- Program: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Location: Hillsboro | RM: 106
- Cost: $300
- Note: Lunch on your own
- Program Description: Your ability to influence others to change the way they behave, think, or act is based on your reputation and credibility within the organization. Your relationships also have an impact on how well you influence. When you have positive connections based on trust, you are more likely to influence others. In this program, you will assess your current network of connections. Fostering those connections is essential in gaining commitment for your ideas, especially without the use of formal authority.
- Registration: Complete the Professional Development Registration form. Registration closes two weeks before the event date.
- Navigating Difficult Conversations
- Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2024
- Sign In: 7:30 AM
- Program: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Location: Hillsboro | RM: 346
- Cost: $300
- Note: Lunch on your own
- Program Description: Although difficult conversations are inevitable in our lives, many of us prefer to avoid initiating them. We are often concerned about the impact of the conversations on our relationships. Successfully navigating a conversation requires managing your own emotions to calmly work towards resolving issues while building stronger relationships. In this program, you will be asked to identify a conversation in your workplace and prepare for and practice opening that conversation.
- Registration: Complete the Professional Development Registration form. Registration closes two weeks before the event date.
- Becoming More Confident at Giving Feedback and Less Anxious About Receiving It
- Date: Wednesday, November 6, 2024
- Weather Alternative Date: Tuesday, November 19, 2024
- Sign In: 7:30 AM
- Program: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Location: Hillsboro | RM: 346
- Cost: $190
- Program Description: Do you dread giving feedback to others? Most of us aren’t comfortable because we don't want to hurt the feelings of others or fear the consequences. On the other hand, it isn't easy to receive feedback. We can become defensive and emotional. Our relationships become strained. For us to grow, we need to know how we are currently doing and be open to learning about ourselves.
- Registration: Complete the Professional Development Registration form. Registration closes two weeks before the event date.
- Workplace DiSC: Appreciating Diverse Styles
- Date: Wednesday, January 15, 2025
- Sign In: 7:30 AM
- Program: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Location: Hillsboro | RM: TBD
- Cost: $350
- Note: Registration deadline is January 6th | Assessment required and completed by January 9th | This Session is Non-Refundable or Transferable
- Note: Lunch on your own
- Program Description: DiSC® is a personal assessment tool used by more than one million people every year to help improve teamwork, communication, and productivity in the workplace. Organizations and facilitators use these profiles as tools to help ignite cultural change, inspiring lasting behavior changes that positively shape their workforce.
Everything DiSC Workplace ® offers critical soft skills training to help learners and individuals increase self-awareness, gain insights into their own behaviors and those of others, understand and appreciate the work styles of others, learn how to communicate and persuade more effectively and create strategies for overcoming challenges when working with people of different DiSC® styles. - Registration: Complete the Professional Development Registration form. Registration closes two weeks before the event date.
- Managing Conflict with Confidence
- Date: Thursday, January 16, 2025
- Weather Alternative Date: Wednesday, January 29, 2025
- Sign In: 7:30 AM
- Program: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Location: Hillsboro | RM: TBD
- Cost: $190
- Program Description: Conflict is inevitable in all relationships, personal or professional. It is natural and often leads to continued growth and development for individuals and groups. Learning to manage differences is a critical factor in an individual's success.
- Registration: Complete the Professional Development Registration form. Registration closes two weeks before the event date.
- Moving from Peer to Supervisor
- Date: Tuesday, March 5, 2025
- Sign In: 7:30 AM
- Program: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Location: Hillsboro | RM: TBD
- Cost: $300
- Note: Lunch on your own
- Program Description: Supervisors often feel pulled in many directions. They are responsible for producing bottom line results, partnering with their peers, and providing direction and feedback to those individuals who work for them. Communicating expectations and providing a clear sense of direction to clearly with employees is critical to overall success.
- Registration: Complete the Professional Development Registration form. Registration closes two weeks before the event date.
- Adapting to and Leading Change
- Date: Thursday, March 20, 2025
- Sign In: 7:30 AM
- Program: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Location: Hillsboro | RM: TBD
- Cost: $190
- Program Description: Change impacts everyone regardless of age, gender, profession, economic status, or education level. Why do some people seem to adapt and emerge from a change even stronger? This session will help you understand how you respond to change in your life and why change takes so much energy. Learn the three stages we must all go through before adapting to a change
- Registration: Complete the Professional Development Registration form. Registration closes two weeks before the event date.
- Working More Effectively with Your Leader
- Date: Thursday, April 10, 2025
- Sign In: 7:30 AM
- Program: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Location: Hillsboro | RM: TBD
- Cost: $190
- Program Description: Your relationship with your leader is essential for success in your job and in your career growth. A positive relationship can lead to better communication and understanding, as well as increased trust. Learning to adapt to your leader's communication and work style, as well as goals, will create a stronger relationship resulting in benefits to the overall organization.
- Registration: Complete the Professional Development Registration form. Registration closes two weeks before the event date.
- Strategies for Improving Relationships with Colleagues
- Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2025
- Sign In: 7:30 AM
- Program: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Location: Hillsboro | RM: TBD
- Cost: $190
- Program Description: We often don't get to choose with whom we work. We find ourselves working with others who have different opinions, styles, and backgrounds. To be truly effective as a team member, we must treat others with respect, communicate openly, and provide others with guidance through feedback and encouragement.
- Registration: Complete the Professional Development Registration form. Registration closes two weeks before the event date.
- Adapting to and Leading Change
- Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2025
- Sign In: 7:30 AM
- Program: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Location: Hillsboro | RM: TBD
- Cost: $190
- Program Description: Change impacts everyone regardless of age, gender, profession, economic status, or education level. Why do some people seem to adapt and emerge from a change even stronger? This session will help you understand how you respond to change in your life and why change takes so much energy. Learn the three stages we must all go through before adapting to a change.
- Registration: Complete the Professional Development Registration form. Registration closes two weeks before the event date.
- Customer Service: Building Better Relationships with Customers
- Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2025
- Sign In: 7:30 AM
- Program: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Location: Hillsboro | RM: TBD
- Cost: $190
- Program Description: We all are being asked to do more work with less. The one area we must continue to do our best is with both the external and internal customers we serve. We are in business because of and not despite the customer. With all the demands of our jobs, how can we meet the ever-increasing demands of our customers?
- Registration: Complete the Professional Development Registration form. Registration closes two weeks before the event date.
