A variety of non-credit classes with convenient schedules are being offered by the Center for Business and Professional Development at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith in March and April, with classes on topics from computer applications to industrial maintenance and electricity.

 

The center also offers a Commercial Driver Development Program, a four-week program which has classes starting in March and April and includes one week of classroom training, three weeks of behind-the-wheel training and a CDL Road Skills Test. Tuition for the class is $2,700 and includes the required Department of Transportation physical and drug screen. Due to the limited number of seats available in each class, registration is recommended at least one month prior to classes starting, but is required a minimum of two weeks prior to the start dates of March 10, March 31, and April 21. Space is limited, and classes fill quickly.

 

Classes and workshops on the March and April schedule include:

 

March 5 & 12: “Intermediate Microsoft Excel 2010,” 8 a.m.-noon, Wednesdays, Business & Industrial Institute Building, room 115, $129.

 

March 10-April 4: “Commercial Driver Training,” 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday, $2,700. Call 479-462-5072 for more information or to make an appointment to apply for the program.

 

March 13-May 1: “Industrial Mechanical Fundamentals,” 4-7 p.m., Thursdays, Echols Building, room 201, $399.

 

March 14 & 21: “Beginning Microsoft Access 2010,” 8 a.m.-noon, Fridays, Business & Industrial Institute Building, room 115, $129.

 

March 31-April 25: “Commercial Driver Training,” 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday, $2,700. Call 479-462-5072 for more information or to make an appointment to apply for the program.

 

April 4 & 11: “Beginning Microsoft Excel 2010,” 8 a.m.-noon, Fridays, Business & Industrial Institute Building, room 115, $69.

 

April 4-25: “Introduction to Supervision Series,” 8 a.m.-noon, Fridays, Flanders Business Center, room 110, $199.

 

April 7: “Emotional Intelligence,” 1-5 p.m., Monday, Business & Industrial Institute Building, room 113, $59.

 

April 21-May 16: “Commercial Driver Training,” 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday, $2,700. Call 479-462-5072 for more information or to make an appointment to apply for the program.

 

Instructors are Dr. Micki Voelkel of Van Buren, Dr. Kimberley Gordon and Jack Danciu of Fort Smith, Cameron McKinney of Roland, Okla., and Roy Duncan of Fort Smith.

 

Voelkel, an associate professor in the CBPD since 1999, teaches the “Beginning Microsoft Access 2010” class. Voelkel has extensive experience in the areas of leadership, communication, personal effectiveness and computer applications. She is a Microsoft Certified Application Specialist instructor and has a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., and a master's degree and a doctorate from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

 

Gordon, an associate professor with the CBPD since 2006, will teach the “Introduction to Supervision Series” and “Emotional Intelligence” classes. As a consultant, she meets with community leaders to help them craft and execute training and development programs. Her background includes more than 20 years in corporate America, holding leadership roles in human resources as well as sales. She has a bachelor’s degree in organizational management and a master’s degree in leadership and ethics from John Brown University and a doctorate from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

 

Danciu, who has taught for UAFS since 2001 and has more than 20 years of experience in the computer industry, teaches the “Beginning Microsoft Excel 2010” and “Intermediate Microsoft Excel 2010” classes. Danciu is the owner of Danciu & Associates Computer Consulting. He has a bachelor’s degree with a double major in economics and management from Saint Joseph’s College - Calumet Campus, Indiana, and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

 

McKinney, who has been with the CBPD since July 2012, will teach the “Industrial Mechanical Fundamentals” class. He has over 10 years of experience as an industrial electronic technician, PLC programmer and control engineer. He has an associate degree in industrial maintenance and a Bachelor of Applied Science degree, both from Arkansas State University. He also holds several certifications from Rockwell Automation and an industrial electrician license from the state of Arkansas.

 

Duncan, the teacher and coordinator of the Commercial Driver Development Program, has been with the CBPD since 2000 and has over 30 years of experience in the transportation industry and over one million miles of accident-free commercial driving to his credit. He holds a Department of Transportation/Commercial Driver’s License Compliance Certificate from Safety Services of Arkansas and is certified by the State of Arkansas as a Commercial Driver’s License third-party examiner, certifying him to administer CDL Road Skills testing.

 

In addition to classes and workshops offered for professional development, the Center for Business and Professional Development at UAFS also provides regional businesses with customized training and consulting to meet company-specific requirements and on-site training to fit identified employee needs.

 

To suggest a class not listed on the schedule or to find out more about on-site customized training, contact the CBPD at 479-788-7799. To register for classes, contact Karen Harmon at 479-788-7742 or karen.harmon@uafs.edu. Registration is required prior to the start date of classes.