Last month, Human Resources and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion celebrated the first group of graduates from its Managers Academy. The Managers Academy is a six-week program to ensure employees in a supervisory position are equipped with the necessary skills and cultural knowledge needed to excel in their roles.
"You are path setters," QCC President Dr. Luis Pedraja said to participants. "You will make QCC a better place as you lead with compassion and build a culture where we all belong. Congrats on taking the time to invest and learn, and also becoming the first. Hopefully many more will follow in your footsteps."
Managers play a crucial role in shaping the culture at QCC. College leaders help to shape positive behaviors and create an environment where a sense of belonging is at the core of all we do. The Manager's Academy reinforces how vital it is as leaders to continue to learn and professionally hone your skills to better support QCC community members.
"Middle managers interpret where we're going as an institution so we must support them and build trust. Senior leadership has your back. It's all about relationships in the end and I'm very thankful that we have this program," said Vice President of Academic Affairs Kathy Rentsch.
The six-week program (one day a week for 1.5-2 hours) offers a rich and diverse curriculum with each session focusing on critical aspects of effective management. The Managers Academy focuses on topics including QCC culture, increased cultural competency, improved communication, and networking.
The first graduates of the Manager's Academy included:
- Michelle Brennan - Parenting Student Navigator
- Brady Hammond - Dean of the School of English & Humanities
- Sean Harris - Director of Community Engagement
- Dympna Kane - Accounting and Financial Project Manager
- Jason Kurland - Assistant Dean of Students
- Kalan Lewis - Director of Mentoring & Special Programs
- John McCarthy - Corporate Program Specialist
- Monica McMullan - Associate Director of IT Services
- Krista Piazza - Project Manager for Apprenticeship Degree Initiatives
- Carmen Sanchez - Financial Aid Systems Manager
- David Shapiro - Associate Director of Human Resources
- Derek Thomas - Director of Information Systems
- Laura Tino - Director of Testing
- Tina Wells - Director of Counseling & Wellness
All managers and supervisors, regardless of title, are encouraged to sign up for the Academy and take the next step in their professional career that will benefit themselves, our students and the collective college community.
For more information on the Managers Academy, contact Sara Simms at ssimms@qcc.mass.edu.