The Center for Business and Professional Development at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith is offering several professional development opportunities for leaders and managers this summer, according to Pat Eller of Fort Smith, CBPD director.

 

Topics include priority management, problem solving and social media in the workplace, as well as computer applications training, business writing classes and commercial driver training classes.

 

“Anyone starting a new career in a leadership role or wanting to enhance current leadership skills should consider the up-to-date professional development opportunities offered by our center,” said Eller.

 

The Commercial Driver Development Program 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, including 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 June 2, June 23 and July 14.  Space is limited and classes fill quickly.

 

In addition to the classes on the regular schedule, CBPD offers customized training on a wide range of topics, from computer applications to industrial maintenance and electricity.

 

“If someone needs training that isn’t included on the summer schedule, contact us at 479-788-7799 to suggest a class be added to the schedule,” said Eller. “We also provide on-site, customized training.”

 

Classes and workshops on the summer schedule include:

 

June 2: “Balancing Priorities,” 1-5 p.m., Monday, Business and Industrial Institute Building, room 113, $59.

 

June 2-27: “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.

 

June 6 and 13: “Intermediate Access,” 8 a.m.-noon, Fridays, Business and Industrial Institute Building, room 115, $129.

 

June 9: “Creative Problem Solving,” 1-5 p.m., Monday, Business and Industrial Institute Building, room 113, $59.

 

June 11: “Fundamentals of Microsoft PowerPoint 2010,” 8 a.m.-noon, Wednesday, Business and Industrial Institute Building, room 115, $69.

 

June 16: “Skillful Collaboration,” 1-5 p.m., Monday, Business and Industrial Institute Building, room 113, $59.

 

June 18: “Fat Free Writing,” 8 a.m.-noon, Wednesday, Business and Industrial Institute Building, room 115, $59.

 

June 20 and 27: “Beginning Microsoft Excel 2010,” 8 a.m.-noon, Friday, Business and Industrial Institute Building, room 115, $129.

 

June 23: “Social Media at Work,” 1-5 p.m., Monday, Business and Industrial Institute Building, room 113, $59.

 

June 23-July 18: “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.

 

June 25: “Fundamentals of Microsoft Word 2010,” 8 a.m.-noon, Wednesday, Business and Industrial Institute Building, room 115, $69.

 

July 11: “Be Proactive,” 8 a.m.-noon, Friday, Flanders Business Center, room 219, $59.

 

July 14-Aug. 8: “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.

 

July 18 and 25: “Intermediate Microsoft Excel 2010,” 8 a.m.-noon, Friday, Business and Industrial Institute Building, room 115, $129.

 

Aug. 1: “Setting Priorities,” 8 a.m.-noon, Friday, Flanders Business Center, room 219, $59.

 

Aug. 13: “Marketing with Social Media,” 8 a.m.-noon, Wednesday, Business and Industrial Institute Building, room 115, $39.

 

Aug. 15 & 22: “Advanced Microsoft Excel 2010,” 8 a.m.-noon, Friday, Business and Industrial Institute Building, room 115, $129.

 

Instructors are Dr. Micki Voelkel of Van Buren; Dr. Kimberley Gordon, Jack Danciu and Roy Duncan of Fort Smith.

 

Voelkel, an associate professor in the CBPD since 1999, teaches the “Intermediate Microsoft Access 2010,” “Fat Free Writing,” “Be Proactive,” “Setting Priorities” and “Marketing with Social Media” classes. 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 “Balancing Priorities,” “Creative Problem Solving,” “Skillful Collaboration” and “Social Media at Work” 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 “Fundamentals of Microsoft PowerPoint 2010,” “Beginning Microsoft Excel 2010,” “Fundamentals of Microsoft Word 2010,” “Intermediate Microsoft Excel 2010” and “Advanced 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.

 

Duncan, who has been with the CBPD since 2000, teaches and coordinates the Commercial Driver Development Program. He has more than 30 years of experience in the transportation industry and over one million miles of accident-free commercial driving to his credit. Duncan 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.

 

For more information about any of the classes offered by CBPD or to register, contact Karen Harmon at 479-788-7742 or karen.harmon@uafs.edu. Registration is required prior to the start date of the classes.