Professional Development : University of Dayton, Ohio

Grow Your Leadership Skills

Looking to sharpen your leadership skills? The UD Center for Leadership offers more than 100 professional development programs each year for new and experienced supervisors, managers and professionals at all levels of an organization.

High-caliber, subject-matter experts from the Dayton region and beyond are carefully chosen to present cutting-edge information and provide opportunities for you to practice new skills in a workshop format. You will gain thought-provoking leadership content that can be taken back to the workplace and applied, in order to make an immediate impact.

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Download the 2026 Professional Development Schedule (.doc)

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About Professional Development Programs

Program Benefits

Programs are developed based on research we conduct from the business community and their top development needs.
Develop an array of skills, including using AI tools, team building, communication skills, influencing others, process improvements, project management and more.
Programs are open-enrollment so you can maximize flexibility and participate only in those programs that fit your personal and organizational development needs.
Practice leadership skills and use new tools in a low-stakes environment so you are immediately ready to apply them when you get back in the office.
Establish a network with other managers, supervisors and individual contributors.

Audience

Whether you are an experienced or new professional looking to make an impact or an organization looking to train and retain key talent, Professional Development programs help managers and professionals at all levels. These one- and two-day programs, led by local and regional thought leaders, enable you to acquire and practice new skills that you can apply immediately.

Upcoming Professional Development Programs

Professional Development programs may be offered in-person or in a blended format (i.e., the session is held in-person and live streamed via Zoom). The modality is noted for each program.

2026 Sessions

Programs with a key icon ⚿, are better suited for more experienced leaders at the first or second level.

July 7-8: Advanced Problem Solving for Team Leaders: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (blended)
July 8: ⚿ Operations Management (in-person only)
July 8: Time Management & Personal Productivity (blended)
July 9: Effective Decision Making (in-person only)
July 14: ⚿ Leading Change (in-person only)
July 15: ⚿ Creating High-Performing Employees: Using SLII Concepts (blended)
July 16: Expanding Your Personal Influence & Impact (in-person only)
July 16: Communication Skills for Front-Line Leaders (blended)
July 22-23: ⚿ Business Simulation (in-person only)
July 22-23: ⚿ Empowering Leaders for the AI-Driven Future (in-person only)
July 23: Navigating Difficult Conversations (blended)
July 29: Driver of Positive Change (blended)
July 29: Leading Change at the First Level (in-person only)
July 30: Essential Problem Solving for Team Members: Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt (blended)
Aug. 4-5: ⚿ The Leadership Challenge (in-person only)
Aug. 5: Strategic Thinking for Everyday Leadership (blended)
Aug. 6: Going from Peer to Supervisor (blended)
Aug. 11: Coaching & Evaluating Performance (blended)
Aug. 11: Leadership Essentials: Understanding Leadership & Team Development (blended)
Aug. 12: Leadership is Everyone’s Business (in-person only)
Aug. 26: Effective Decision Making (blended)
Aug. 26: Project Leadership (blended)
Aug. 27: Managing Conflict for Progress (blended)
Sept. 1: Making a Positive Impact on Customer Relationships (blended)
Sept. 2: Assertive Communication Skills (blended)
Sept. 3: Self-Leadership to Increase Productivity, Work Satisfaction, & Growth (blended)
Sept. 9: Time Management & Personal Productivity (blended)
Sept. 9: Essential Problem Solving for Team Members: Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt (blended)
Sept. 10: Leading Change at the First Level (blended)
Sept. 17: Communication Skills for Front-Line Leaders (blended)
Sept. 23: ⚿ Achieving Greater Outcomes: Leading with Intention & Purpose (in-person only)
Sept. 23: Systematic Innovation (blended)
Sept. 24: Project Leadership (blended)
Sept. 29: ⚿ Love 'Em or Lose 'Em: Retaining & Engaging Your Critical Talent (blended)
Sept. 30: Powerful Presentation Skills (blended)
Oct. 1: ChatGPT for Beginners: Boosting Workplace Efficiency (blended)
Oct. 1: Leadership is Everyone's Business (blended)
Oct. 6: ⚿ Accounting Fundamentals (in-person only)
Oct. 7: Navigating Difficult Conversations (blended)
Oct. 7-8: Resilient Leadership Based on Dr. Brene Brown's Dare to Lead (blended)
Oct. 13: Going from Peer to Supervisor (in-person only)
Oct. 13: Creating Your Leadership Brand & Building Professional Sustainability (blended)
Oct. 15: Coaching & Evaluating Performance (blended)
Oct. 15: Cultivating Inclusive Workplaces: Bridging Differences for Stronger Teams (blended)
Oct. 15: ⚿ Leadership Effectiveness: Mastering Energy, Attention & Priorities (in-person only)
Oct. 21-22: Advanced Problem Solving for Team Leaders: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (blended)
Oct. 27-28: Project Management Essentials (blended)
Oct. 28: ⚿ Finance for Non-Financial Managers (in-person only)
Oct. 29: Embracing Accountability (blended)
Oct. 29: Effective Decision Making (blended)
Nov. 3: Big Rocks of Life: Reaching Your Goals as a Women in Leadership (blended)
Nov. 3: ⚿ Creating a Great Workplace Culture (in-person only)
Nov. 4: Connecting through Conversations (blended)
Nov. 5: Going from Peer to Supervisor (blended)
Nov. 5: Expanding Your Personal Influence & Impact (blended)
Nov. 10: Time Management & Personal Productivity (in-person only)
Nov. 10: The Emotionally Intelligent Leader: Understanding Your EQ & Strategies for Leveraging It (blended)
Nov. 12: Assertive Communication Skills (blended)
Nov. 17: Leading Change at the First Level (blended)
Nov. 17: ⚿ Operations Management (in-person only)
Dec. 1: Communication Skills for Front-Line Leaders (in-person only)
Dec. 1: Building Trust: Increasing the Impact in Working with Others (blended)
Dec. 2: Time Management & Personal Productivity (blended)
Dec. 2: The Power of a Positive Team (blended)
Dec. 3: Leadership is Everyone's Business (blended)
Dec. 4: ⚿ Strategic Management (in-person only)
Dec. 10: Navigating Difficult Conversations (in-person only)
Dec. 15-16: ⚿ Business Simulation (in-person only)
Dec. 16-17: Advanced Problem Solving for Team Leaders: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (blended)
Dec. 17: ⚿ Leading Change (in-person only)

Investment

Professional Development programs are open to:

Partner organizations: $332 or 1 partner unit per day
Public: $415 per day
UD Alumni: Receive a $50 discount

One-unit programs are designed for individual contributors and first-level leaders.

Two-unit programs, indicated by a key icon ⚿, are better suited for more experienced leaders at the first or second level.