Mindful Leadership Certificate
About the Program
This transformative course offers a comprehensive journey through the art and science of mindfulness — from inner awareness to relational connection and mindful leadership. Participants begin by exploring the foundational concepts and practices associated with mindfulness and meditation, including the scientific, emotional, mental and physical benefits of sustained practice, engaging in different forms of meditation and mindfulness techniques that can be incorporated into daily life to reduce stress, promote inner peace, strengthen relationships, and support overall well-being.
Building on this foundation, the course moves into the realm of mindful communication — the bridge between inner awareness and outer engagement. Participants will develop practical skills in mindful listening, self-talk awareness, and compassionate dialogue. With an emphasis on empathy, curiosity, and cultural understanding, this section of the course invites learners to embody mindfulness as a relational way of being that nurtures connection and belonging.
In the final section, the focus expands to mindful leadership — applying the principles of awareness and compassion to guide teams, organizations, and change. Participants will explore leadership presence, learn tools for resilience, decision clarity, and stress reduction, and engage in reflection to align values with authentic action. By integrating mindfulness into how one communicates, leads, and lives, learners will emerge with practical strategies and embodied wisdom to inspire well-being and transformation in both personal and professional life
Learning Objectives
Foundations
- Define mindfulness, meditation, and mindfulness-based practices
- Understand the physical, mental, emotional and social benefits of mindfulness
- Practice mindfulness-based activities to enhance your personal and professional life
Communication
- Strengthen capacity to pause, attune, and respond skillfully in communication
- Develop mindful listening skills to enhance empathy, presence, and understanding in dialogue
- Cultivate curiosity and awareness when engaging difference and diverse perspectives
Leadership
- Explore the relationship between mindfulness, organizational effectiveness, and culture change
- Learn to lead with greater ease, focus, clarity, creativity, and compassion
- Increase personal, team, and organizational resiliency amidst a shifting higher education and world context
Target Audience
Intended for those working in higher education at SUNY, however anyone is welcome to participate.
Course Completion Requirements:
To receive an overall completion digital badge certificate, participants must complete all 12 weeks of the course which contain various learning activities delivered in an online, asynchronous format using the SUNY Center for Professional Development digital learning environment (DLE) Brightspace. Participants should be prepared to spend approximately 2 – 4 hours of course work each week.
Meet the Instructors
Dr. Glenn Pichardo
Mental Health Counselor, Sunshine Counseling Services
Former Visiting Assistant Professor
School for Graduate Studies
Division of Education Empire State University
Glenn serves as Leadership Development Specialist with SUNY SAIL where he teaches courses and workshops on mindfulness, leadership and overall well-being. Glenn has almost 20 years of higher education experience, primarily serving as a counselor in opportunity programs. Glenn is also passionate about mental health and serves as a mental health counselor at Sunshine Counseling Services. Glenn earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education as well as a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Dr. Lisa Napora
Co-Founder and Director of The Mindfulness Alliance
Dr. Lisa Napora is a scholar-practitioner working with contemplative and liberatory practices that cultivate the shift from individual development toward collective wellbeing. Her work bridges personal evolution and social transformation, positioning awareness as a catalyst for inner and outer change. She is Founding Director of The Mindfulness Alliance and creator of the WeShift Institute, an international fellowship advancing an awareness-based approach to social transformation grounded in a practice-based epistemology of care and collective capacity-building for shared wellbeing. Dr. Napora holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership, serves as a Visiting Scholar at the University at Buffalo, and brings more than two decades of experience spanning business, nonprofit leadership, and contemplative practice. Through her teaching, writing, and programs, Lisa helps individuals, groups, and organizations deepen awareness, build capacities, and foster sustainable change that supports movement from a “me” to a “we” mindset.
Cost and Payment
The prices for the course are as follows:
- CPD Campus Fee: $780.00
- SUNY Campus Fee: $930.00
- Other Non/SUNY: $1000.00
Payment Terms
- Full payment is required within 30 days of registration. If the campus intends to cover the registration fee, prior approval must be obtained; otherwise, the registrant remains responsible for payment should the selected method be denied.
- Completion badges will not be issued until full payment has been received.
Cancellation Policy
- Registrants must request cancellation by emailing michaela.rehm@suny.edu. Refunds are issued based on the following schedule:
- Cancellations received 31 or more days prior to the program: 100% refund
- Cancellations received 16 to 30 days prior to the program: 50% refund
- Cancellations received 15 days or fewer prior to the program: Not eligible for refund
No Shows
Programs have limited space and tend to fill to capacity. Individuals registered have reserved a space in the program. Registrants who do not attend will be charged the full registration fee. Refunds will not be issued for any registration in which a no show occurs, and written cancellation was not received prior to the event.
Group Discounts Available
Additional discounts are available to groups of the following size attending the same program:
- 5-9 people = 10% discount
- 10-19 people = 15% discount
- 20-29 people = 20% discount
Please send your request to cpdinfo@suny.edu at least 30 days prior to the start of the course/program.
How to Pay
Payment Terms
- Full payment is required within 30 days of registration. If the campus intends to cover the registration fee, prior approval must be obtained; otherwise, the registrant remains responsible for payment should the selected method be denied.
- Completion badges will not be issued until full payment has been received.
- FULL payment is required 30 days from the date of registration. If the campus denies the selected payment method, the registrant will be responsible for payment.
Cancel/Drop Period
Registrants must utilize the course cancellation form (linked in the registration confirmation email) to be officially cancelled from the program.
- If you registered for all of the program courses to receive a full refund you MUST cancel no later than the end of the first week (Sunday) of EACH course.
- For multi-course registrations that include a discounted rate, cancellation will result in forfeiture of the discount, and standard course fees will apply.
No Shows
Programs have limited space and tend to fill to capacity. Individuals registered have reserved a space in the program. Registrants who do not attend will be charged the full registration fee. Refunds will not be issued for any registration in which a no show occurs, and written cancellation was not received prior to the event.
Click to view SUNY CPD Terms & Conditions Policy.
Click to view SUNY Refund Policy.
Registration
2026 Course Dates
- Spring Mindful Leadership (registration closed)
- January 6 – March 30, 2026
- Fall Mindful Leadership
- Dates coming soon
Registration for Fall 2026 coming soon
Contact Us
For programming questions, please contact Carolyn Mattiske, SAIL Director, Carolyn.mattiske@suny.edu. For registration questions, please contact Madelaine Kaplan, SUNY CPD Program Support Specialist at madelaine.kaplan@suny.edu.
Phone: 315-214-2423
Email: cpdinfo@suny.edu