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July 2025

The Learning Org: See What’s New – July 2025

Volume 5 no. 9

Developing Leadership Skills 


In today’s rapidly evolving academic landscape, leadership in higher education is no longer confined to titles or offices. It is embodied in the ability to navigate change, create inclusive teams, and elevate mission-driven outcomes across institutions. As systems grow more complex and student needs more diverse, developing leadership skills is essential.  The SUNY CPD is offering a two new opportunities to increase leadership competencies: 

Emerging Leaders Academy

Community College Leadership Academy

Whether you are just beginning your leadership journey or looking to elevate your impact, these academies offer powerful pathways for growth. 


Lisa Raposo

Executive Director

2025 SICAS Summit – Register Now!

Dates: October 15th –17th, 2025

Location: Embassy Suites Saratoga Springs


The SICAS Summit is an annual conference that brings together SUNY campuses and partners to share ideas, learn best practices, and explore tools like Banner, Degree Works, Argos, and more. Hear from peers, SICAS staff, and business partners about how to get the most out of these systems in your daily work.


Early bird rate: $250 with code 25-EARLYBIRD — ends Aug. 29, 2025!

(Standard rate: $275)


Pay by credit card, check, or CPD General or Technical points (contact Chelsie Dalton to arrange).


Questions? chelsie.dalton@oneonta.edu | 607.436.2005

Still Accepting Nominations: NYS Community College Leadership Academy

The NYS Community College Leadership Academy Fellows Program is still accepting nominations for Cohort 3! This program is specifically tailored for mid-level community college leaders who are looking to grow within their college and the field.


We encourage presidents to nominate mid-level leaders, such as: Deans, Department Chairs, Executive Directors, Associate/Assistant Vice Presidents or Provosts, who have at least three years of higher education experience and demonstrate strong leadership and administrative potential. Ideal nominees are those taking on increased leadership responsibilities or who are being developed for future senior roles.


Nomination Deadline: August 15th at 5:00 PM

Call for Proposals: SUNY OER Summit 2025

The SUNY OER Summit (Oct 15th and 16th, 2025) is now accepting abstract submissions! This free virtual event welcomes educators, students, and open ed advocates to share work around open pedagogy, accessibility, equity, sustainability, and the future of OER.


Submit your abstract by Friday, August 15th, 2025.

Inclusive Teaching and Learning Certificate 2025

Boost Your Inclusive Teaching Skills!


Join SUNY’s Inclusive Teaching & Learning Certificate Program to gain key strategies for equity and inclusion in higher ed classrooms.


Take one or all courses in 2025:

  • Essential Communication Skills (Aug 5th – Sept 8th)
  • Critically Reflecting on Diversity (Sept 9th – Oct 13th)
  • Design & Deliver Inclusive Courses (Oct 14th – Nov 17th)

Register for the SUNY OTTER Institute 2025: Accessibility Edition

August 18th – August 22nd


The OTTER Institute is an opportunity for online practitioners, regardless of teaching modality or experience, to learn more about online education’s innovations, trends, and challenges. This year OTTER will focus on digital accessibility.


The OTTER Institute is FREE to all SUNY campus members. For Non-SUNY Members, there is a $25.00 flat fee.


Visit the link below to register for our August dates, as well as view recorded webinars from our June series!

Online Student Supports Certificate Program

The OSS Certificate is a fully online, asynchronous, three-course series designed to help SUNY faculty and staff proactively support online learners. Each 6-week course requires 3–5 hours per week and is capped at 20 participants. Participants earn badges for each course and a certificate upon completion.


Ideal for: Faculty, advisors, student support staff, instructional designers


Registration Ends August 20th!

Project Management Fundamentals

Live Online via Zoom


Dates:

  • Sept 18th & 25th
  • 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST


Learn the essentials of project management using the NYS PM Guidebook, V2. This 2-day workshop is ideal for SUNY staff new to managing projects or leading teams – no prior experience required.


Cost:

  • SUNY CPD Members: $150
  • SUNY Campuses: $180
  • Others: $250

Online Teaching Certificate Program

Registration is open for the Fall Online Teaching Certificate Program, designed to familiarize participants with the concepts, competencies, pedagogies, and best practices associated with the development and delivery of online learning environments.


Course 1:

Getting Started with Online Instruction

August 26th-October 6th  


Course 2:

Interaction, Student Engagement, and Teaching Presence in Online Courses

October 14th-November 24th


Format: online, asynchronous

Crucial Learning – Crucial Influence

Featured Course:

Crucial Influence



Design and implement a strategy for initiatives that require change in human behavior. Discover why people do what they do and how all leaders—from aspiring leaders to top executives—can influence others for lasting results.


Audience:

Managers, Leaders, Department Chairs


About 7-8 hours of online learning; one-year access to the course


Other courses include:


  • Crucial Conversations for Accountability
  • The Power of Habit


PLUS! Each course includes an optional live online session with a community of practice to enhance your learning experience.

Next session is August 27th, 1:00-3:00 p.m. EST

Registration Open for Fall SUNY New Faculty Open Mic Program

Offered at no cost to tenure-track faculty at all 64 SUNY campuses, the New Faculty Open Mic is a biweekly Zoom series designed to support faculty in their first two years (since Fall 2023). Sessions run every other Monday from 2–3 p.m., September 8th to December 1st, and are not recorded.


Co-hosted by SUNY Empire State University’s Center for Mentoring, Learning and Academic Innovation and the SUNY Center for Professional Development, this informal, participant-led program aims to:


  • Build community and connection among new SUNY faculty!
  • Provide peer support in navigating teaching, advising, scholarship, service, and more.

SUNY CPD Distance Learning Leadership Certificate Program

Introducing the NEW SUNY CPD Distance Learning Leadership Certificate Program


This advanced certificate prepares professionals to serve as Chief Online Learning Officers (COLOs) and lead distance learning initiatives in higher ed. Participants will apply theories, instructional design principles, and emerging technologies to strengthen online education at their institutions.


The program also develops skills in collaboration, change management, quality assurance, and compliance—equipping leaders to drive innovation and impact.


Dates:

  • Course 1: What You Need to Know to Be a DLL (September 15th – October 24th)
  • Course 2: Strategy, Structure, and Systems for Online Education (November 3rd – December 20th)
  • Course 3: Building the Strategic Plan for Online Education (February 9th – March 20th, 2026)
  • Course 4: Cultivating Leadership, Champions, and Sustainable Innovation (March 30th – May 8th, 2026)


Library Leadership & Management Certificate Returns This Fall!

Designed for current and aspiring library leaders, this fully online SUNY CPD program offers practical training in leadership and management. Complete any 3 courses to earn the certificate and a Credly badge for each—plus a bonus badge for completing the full program. Courses are asynchronous, instructor-led, and can also be taken individually.


Pricing:

SUNY CPD members: from $260/course

Non-members: from $310–$360/course


Next courses start Oct 7, 2025.

Additional Courses Added! Data Literacy Essentials for Higher Education Professionals

This online, asynchronous Brightspace program helps higher education professionals strengthen their data literacy skills by exploring data creation, analysis, interpretation, and storytelling. Designed for faculty, staff, and administrators who use data in their work, the program builds both confidence and practical skills for daily tasks and strategic decision-making.


Course One: Fundamentals of Working with Data

Sept 2 – Oct 13

Covers the data lifecycle, governance, and foundational analysis concepts essential for understanding and using data in higher ed.


Course Two: Storytelling with Data

Oct 14 – Nov 24

Focuses on turning data insights into impactful narratives for higher ed audiences. Completion of Course One or equivalent experience is required.

Congratulations, Michaela Rehm!

Cvent CONNECT 2025

We’re thrilled to share that SUNY CPD’s Michaela Rehm has been named a 2025 Cvent Game Changer at this year’s Cvent CONNECT Conference!


This award recognizes event professionals who are leading the way with innovation and impact — and Michaela does just that every day. Her creativity, leadership, and dedication continue to inspire all of us.


Help us celebrate this well-deserved honor!

Congratulations on Retirement, Nancy!

This month, we are saying “see you later,” to our Conference and Events Manager, Nancy Montondo. SUNY CPD wishes her the very best in her future endeavors as she heads into retirement! We can’t wait to see the work Nancy will do, assisting the Syracuse Mets this summer.


Thank you for all your hard work, Nancy – we will miss you!

Quarterly In-Person Staff Meeting – Summer 2025

This Summer, our staff traveled to SUNY Polytechnic Institute, in Utica, to complete our 3rd in-person meeting for 2025.


These meetings serve as a structured opportunity for our team to reflect on past performance, realign on goals, and plan for the upcoming quarter.


See you all again this Fall!

Connect, Share, and Collaborate on Viva Engage!

Screenshot of CPD Viva Engage Banner

Did you know? The SUNY Learning Commons on Viva Engage is your members-only space to connect with colleagues from across the SUNY system!


In the Commons, you’ll find:

  • Communities of Practice and Groups focused on shared interests or professional roles
  • Topic-based groups where you can dive into specialized discussions
  • Spaces to share photos, updates, and event highlights
  • And the option to request new groups for projects, initiatives, or emerging topics


We already have an active SUNY CPD group—and there are many other channels where you can:

  • Ask questions
  • Share resources and best practices
  • Celebrate successes and milestones


Access is open to anyone with a Microsoft email, but to keep groups focused and relevant, you’ll just need to fill out a short form to be added.


Ready to get involved? Click the button below to see our active communities.


Let’s keep building our SUNY community together—one conversation at a time!

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