The Office of Professional Development is excited to launch Lessons in Leadership series in 2025!
These interactive sessions feature expert speakers and professionals, offering insights on key leadership skills, personal development strategies, and tools for effective management. The series is ideal for leaders looking to enhance their capabilities, manage challenges, and foster overall well-being.
What to Expect:
- Monthly Half-Day Workshops (morning or afternoon sessions)
- Guest Facilitators from both SUNY Oswego faculty and staff and local community leaders
- Interactive Learning in our SUNY Oswego Extended Learning classroom
- Cost: $150 per workshop
Bundle and Save!
Take advantage of our special discounted rates by purchasing a bundle of tickets for your organization.
- For-Profit Businesses/Industries: Minimum purchase of 25 seats at a discounted rate of $125 per seat
- Non-Profit Organizations: Minimum purchase of five seats at a discounted rate of $100 per seat
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to save while investing in your team's growth. Click here to purchase your bundle now.
Workshop Facilitation
All workshops will be held in the SUNY Oswego Extended Learning classroom, located in historic Sheldon Hall—a space that blends tradition with a dynamic learning environment. Sessions will be led by experienced facilitators from SUNY Oswego’s Office of Professional Development, who bring practical expertise and engaging approaches to leadership development. We’re also excited to welcome a variety of guest facilitators who offer diverse perspectives and real-world insights to enrich the experience.
Featured Monthly Workshops:
Wednesday, April 30th, 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Sustaining Leadership: Building Resilience, Managing Stress, and Prioritizing Self-Care
Presented by Sarah Beth Ingerson, Associate Director, together with Emily Bovier, Associate Professor & Department Chair at SUNY Oswego
Leadership demands energy and resilience, and cultivating healthy habits is essential for sustaining both. In this session, participants will explore strategies for overcoming unproductive habits while building a foundation of mental and physical well-being. Focused on work-life integration, stress management, compassion fatigue, and overall wellness, this workshop empowers leaders to recognize signs of burnout and stress, manage their energy, and prioritize self-care. By the end of the session, leaders will have actionable tools to enhance long-term effectiveness, resilience, and well-being.
More about Emily Bovier:
With a background in clinical psychology and a specialized focus on the neural and behavioral impacts of environmental factors, Emily Bovier’s research into sensory behavior and individual differences offers valuable insights into how stress affects our brains and bodies. Her expertise in neurodiversity and compassion fatigue—along with her experience teaching courses on burnout—equips her to guide leaders in developing strategies for maintaining resilience and well-being
Wednesday, May 28th 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Bridging the Gap: Leadership for the Multigenerational Workforce
Presented by Sarah Beth Ingerson, Associate Director, together with Jim Fong, Chief Research Officer at UPCEA
As a leader, understanding and managing a diverse, multigenerational team is crucial. This workshop will help participants identify generational differences in the workplace and explore strategies to bridge those gaps for better communication, collaboration, and team performance.
More about Jim Fong:
Jim Fong is the founding director of UPCEA Research and Consulting. In his role, Jim has analyzed demographic, occupational, technological and societal trends and data to help the higher education community better serve the adult and corporate learner. Prior to joining UPCEA, Jim worked as a higher education strategic marketing and CRM consultant and researcher for two firms and prior to that was the Director of Marketing, Research and Planning for Penn State Outreach.
Tuesday, June 17th, 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Enhancing Leadership Through Structured Supervision
Presented by Sarah Beth Ingerson, Associate Director, together with Kristin Croyle, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at SUNY Oswego
Supervising a team effectively requires more than just managing tasks. In this session, participants will learn how to implement the three pillars of structured supervision (training, coaching, and mentoring) to foster growth, accountability, and high performance while ensuring clear expectations and feedback.
More About Kristin Croyle:
As Dean of SUNY Oswego’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dr. Croyle oversees 16 academic departments and supports a diverse faculty and student body. Her extensive background in higher education administration—including roles focused on student success, faculty development, and inclusive excellence—provides a strong foundation for thoughtful, intentional supervisory practices. With a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology Dr. Croyle offers unique insights into building effective, supportive supervisory structures that foster growth, accountability, and engagement.
Tuesday, July 15th, 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Performance with Purpose: Driving Success Through Effective Evaluations
Presented by Michael Donnan, Training and Professional Development Facilitator, together with Joanne O'Toole, Associate Department Chair at SUNY Oswego
Performance evaluations are not just about assessing work, they’re about aligning team goals with organizational success. This session will focus on how to conduct meaningful performance reviews, set clear goals, and motivate employees to improve continuously.
More About Joanne O'Toole:
In her roles at SUNY Oswego, Joanne O’Toole regularly oversees and supports professionals in their development, with a strong emphasis on thoughtful, standards-based evaluation practices. Her leadership at both the state and national levels has involved designing and implementing evaluation frameworks, supporting professional growth, and ensuring accountability across diverse contexts. Dr. O'Toole offers practical insights into creating performance evaluation processes that are clear, fair, and development-focused.
Thursday, August 7th, 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Enhancing Interpersonal Skills for Success
Presented by Sarah Beth Ingerson, Associate Director, together with Kristen Eichhorn, Dean of Graduate Studies at SUNY Oswego
Strong interpersonal skills are critical for effective leadership and building cohesive teams. This session will help leaders develop key interpersonal skills essential for maintaining positive relationships within their teams. Participants will learn to recognize their own communication styles, understand the dynamics of others, and adapt their approach to strengthen connections, improve collaboration, and enhance team cohesion.
More About Kristen Eichhorn:
As Dean of Graduate Studies and a former department chair in Communication Studies, Kristin Eichorn has led diverse teams, developed strategic initiatives, and supported professionals in building meaningful, effective workplace relationships. A recognized relational scholar, Dr. Eichhorn has coauthored key texts on interpersonal communication and published extensively on topics related to human connection, communication competence, and leadership. During this workshop she will draw on both her academic research and her real-world leadership experience to help participants strengthen their interpersonal skills and enhance their professional impact.
Wednesday, September 17th, 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Lead with Impact: Building Your Personal Brand
Presented by an Office of Professional Development Staff Member together with Lindsay McCluskey, Associate Professor at SUNY Oswego
This workshop offers strategies to help you craft and enhance your personal brand as a leader. In this interactive session, participants will explore the key elements of personal branding, focusing on self-awareness, communication, and alignment with core leadership values. You’ll learn how to amplify your strengths and develop a leadership presence that leaves a lasting impression.
More About Lindsay McCluskey:
Dr. Lindsay McCluskey brings her expertise in public relations and social media to the Lead with Impact: Building Your Personal Brand workshop. With a background in political public relations and crisis communication, she will guide participants in developing a strong personal brand through strategic communication, self-awareness, and aligning leadership values. Dr. McCluskey's insights will help attendees enhance their leadership presence and make a lasting impact.
Thursday, October 16th, 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Cultural Dynamics: Leading with Cross-Cultural Agility
Presented by Sarah Beth Ingerson, Associate Director, together with Lillian Evans, Director of the Triandiflou at SUNY Oswego
In today’s world, cultural agility is an essential leadership trait. This session will explore strategies for leading across cultures, building inclusive teams, and managing diversity in a way that drives innovation and collaboration.
More About Lilian Evans:
With a background as an Associate Dean of Students and Director of Multicultural Student Affairs, Lillian has dedicated her work to fostering inclusive and equitable environments within organizations. Her commitment to creating spaces where all individuals feel valued and empowered equips her to guide leaders in navigating and leading through diverse cultural dynamics. In this workshop, Lillian will help participants build cross-cultural agility, enhance their leadership effectiveness, and create more inclusive, cohesive teams.
Tuesday, November 4th, 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Leading with Accountability: Driving Results Through Ownership and Responsibility
Presented by Michael Donnan, Training and Professional Development Facilitator, together with Jill Pippin, Dean of Extended Learning at SUNY Oswego
Leaders who take ownership of their decisions and responsibilities inspire their teams to do the same. This workshop will focus on how to instill a culture of accountability, leading with integrity, and creating an environment where team members take responsibility for outcomes.
More About Jill Pippin:
As the Dean of SUNY Oswego’s Extended Learning Division, Jill oversees a wide range of educational programs and services, including online and distance learning, non-credit professional development, and veteran services, among others. Her focus on creating innovative, flexible educational solutions and fostering collaboration across departments has provided her with a strong foundation in driving results through strategic ownership and responsibility. With a background in both academic leadership and business, Jill will guide leaders in cultivating accountability, enhancing performance, and achieving results through effective ownership and responsible decision-making.