Supervisory Development Program for Higher Education

Advanced registration is required for all KCPDC events. Registration is FREE to employees of member institutions. Please contact your campus representative for registration.

This program is designed for supervisors, those aspiring to be supervisors or anyone interested in learning more about supervision. The Supervisory Development Program (SDP) provides participants with the proven fundamental skills necessary to become an effective and successful supervisor. Those who complete the seven core classes plus an additional elective session will receive a certificate from KCPDC. Effective July 1, 2011, the SDP elective requirement can be satisfied by attending one of the ÔSpecial TopicsÕ sessions or the annual Professional Development Conference.

View the 2011 – 2012 Calendar or learn more about the topics, scheduled times and program locations below.

Core topics

• Role and Function of a Supervisor - Sep. 15, 2011

  Time: 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.

  Location: Park University, McCoy Meetin' House

  Presenter: Rhonda Corwin

  Description: Through discussion, individual work, and group interaction, participants will explore the role and function of a supervisor as it relates to employee performance, team building, morale, motivation and diversity. Attributes and skills of a successful supervisor will be examined. Techniques for improving supervisory skills and enhancing employee performance will be introduced. Participants will come to understand the impact of diversity on the role and function of a supervisor.

  Objectives: After receiving this training, the participants will be able to:

  • Justify why certain roles are or are not appropriate to assume with subordinates
  • Identify the major areas where supervisors have liability with subordinates, how to conduct themselves to limit initiation of law suits, and minimize any liability from suits filed by grieving employees
  • Understand techniques for effective performance management, including written and oral performance standards, constructive feedback, rewards and recognition, documentation of employee behavior, progressive discipline
  • Identify the factors, variables, or components that when employed produce more effective decisions, better quality judgments, and more efficient problem solving
  • Understand the impact of diversity on the role and function of supervisors
• Your Personal Style - Oct. 20, 2011

  Time: 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.

  Location: MCC-BTC, CA 104B

  Presenter:
  Rodger LaBeth

  Description: This workshop is intended to assist the participants in identifying the preferred behavioral work styles. Attendees will identify the strengths and weaknesses of each style and discuss various ways of capitalizing on each different style. In the end, the intent is to offer the supervisor some skills so that they might improve their work environment. Supervisors will leave this workshop with an understanding of different work styles and techniques to improve working with others. Participants will come to understand the impact of diversity on your personal style.

  Objectives: After receiving this training, the participants will be able to:

  • Understand their own behavioral tendencies
  • Respect, appreciate, understand and value individual differences in styles
  • Enhance strategies for working together
  • Increase effectiveness by improving relationships with others
  • Understand the impact of diversity on personal style
• Legal Aspects of Supervision - Nov. 10, 2011

  Time: 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.

  Location: DeVry University, LeValley Conference Center

  Presenter: Kelly Circle

  Description: This course is designed to familiarize supervisors with the sources of the law, unlawful employment discrimination, justification and defenses to various employee complaints, and consider preventive measures and proper language. It includes a review of sexual harassment and steps a supervisor can take to prevent it. After taking this workshop, supervisors will be aware of the varied complex responsibilities. Participants will come to understand the impact of diversity on the legal aspects of supervision.

  Objectives: After receiving this training, the participants will be able to:

  • Describe the general aspects of the law relating to the workplace, e.g., structure of the court system, civil vs. criminal liability, common law vs. statutory law
  • Identify the federal laws that apply to the workplace – Title VII, the American Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
  • Understand issues in negligent hiring – the interview process and background checks: What can you ask? What should you ask?
  • Understand issues in negligent supervision – performance evaluations and disciplinary actions/dismissals
  • Know some methods to prevent workplace violence
  • Recognize discrimination in the workplace – what are the protected classes?
  • Understand the types of sexual harassment – quid pro quo and hostile work environment
  • Understand the impact of diversity on legal aspects of supervision
• Motivating Employees - Dec. 8, 2011

  Time: 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.

  Location: Baker Overland Park, Room 207

  Presenter: Cindy Miller

  Description: This course is an introductory look at what motivation is, how motivation turns into observable behaviors, the aspects of motivation, and how to elicit desired behaviors. The instructor will present the basic motivational theories and his approach to motivation. This course relies on interaction and participation from class members. Small groups, discussion questions and practical application are mainstays of this course. Participants will come to understand the impact of diversity on motivating employees.

  Objectives: After receiving this training, the participants will be able to:

  • Define personal ideas of motivation and behavioral indicators
  • Apply motivation and decision making theory to their work
  • Integrate theories into a variety of practical applications
  • Identify specific, useable motivational keys and techniques
  • Develop a motivational plan to address their own situational needs
  • Understand the impact of diversity on motivating employees
• Decision Making and Problem Solving - Feb. 2, 2012

  Time: 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.

  Location: UMKC, Administrative Center, Plaza Room

  Presenter: Dave Ritzman

  Description This class focuses on three skills of a supervisor: decision making, problem solving, and applying judgment. It is designed to explore each of these concepts in some depth and offer various ways to consider their application. The content will guide the participant through the topics and offer a series of guidelines to consider. Practical information will be shared and supplemented with handouts which will be good resources for use after class. Participants will come to understand the impact of diversity on decision making and problem solving.

  Objectives: After receiving this training, the participants will be able to:

  • Understand the concepts of decision making, problem solving, and judgment
  • Know three ways (unilateral, democratic, consensus) to make a decision
  • Understand several techniques and/or strategies for problem solving
  • Analyze the components of judgment
  • Understand the impact of diversity on problem solving and decision making
• Establishing Performance Expectations - Mar. 1, 2012

  Time: 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.

  Location: JCCC

  Presenter:Helen Burnstad

  Description: This workshop is intended to help new and experienced supervisors understand the importance of establishing performance expectations and outline how to communicate those expectations to employees to ensure success. The exceptional supervisor is the one who can communicate expectations about the quality, quantity, and timeliness of work to be produced in a clear and timely manner. This skill affects the relationship between the supervisor and employee and ultimately, impacts the overall effectiveness of the organization. Participants will come to understand the impact of diversity on establishing performance expectations.

  Objectives: After receiving this training, the participants will be able to:

  • Understand when it is appropriate to set performance expectations
  • Know how assumptions hinder effective communication
  • Learn a process to effectively set performance expectations
  • Apply skills to current performance issues you may be facing
  • Understand the impact of diversity on establishing performance expectations
• Performance Appraisals - Apr. 12, 2012

  Time: 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.

  Location: KCKCC, Room 2325, Upper Jewell Bldg.

  Presenter:: Roger Dusing

  Description: This session considers performance appraisal from a variety of viewpoints. Strategies for providing feedback are identified, and ways to help employees plan for the future are shared. The session is very interactive with a variety of small and large group activities. Participants will come to understand the impact of diversity on performance appraisals.

  Objectives: After receiving this training, the participants will be able to:

  • Explore examples of performance appraisals
  • Explain why performance appraisals are often viewed as a negative experience
  • Identify means to diminish the fear and anxiety that often accompany performance review
  • Recognize and apply sound principles of giving (and receiving) feedback
  • Identify strategies for handling not only positive appraisals (the easy ones) but those requiring corrective action as well (the difficult ones)
  • Apply the strategies for conducting performance appraisals to any appraisal instrument currently in use
  • Understand the impact of diversity on performance appraisals