Training
Training & Staff Development
Training and professional development opportunities are offered to support the knowledge, skill, and productivity goals of University employees. Continued learning increases employee engagement, promotes equity and inclusion, and provides uniformity and proficiency in new, as well as basic, procedures. |
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Past Newsletters
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Development Opportunities
Welcome To New Staff!
- One-on-One Orientation – Usually done on your new employee’s first day, be sure to make an appointment by contacting lcaggiano@uscupstate.edu. This is meeting’s purpose is to familiarize new staff with everyday processes.
- New Staff Orientation Tour – Registration is required for this unique opportunity to meet all our senior leaders and visit outstanding areas of campus. Tours take place during fall break, spring break, and summer. Even employees who graduated from USC Upstate say they benefitted from this awe-inspiring tour.
Active Shooter Training |
Campus Security Authority (CSA) TrainingCampus Security Authority (CSA) Training Video (network login required) |
Cybersecurity TrainingThis critical training will help protect sensitive student, parent, employee, and donor information, University data, and reputation. It includes recognizing and handling threats like phishing and social engineering and other best practices.
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FERPA Tutorial and QuizThe Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 sets forth requirements regarding the privacy of student records and affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. All faculty and staff are required to complete a tutorial and quiz on FERPA and Student Rights. When asked for an email to send your verification of completion, please enter lcaggiano@uscupstate.edu. Those who need to submit a request for access to student records will be able to access the request form at the completion of the tutorial and quiz. |
OSHA - Employee Safety and Risk Management ProgramThis training webpage is USC Upstate’s primary means of employee safety training. This campus-wide resource is intended for use by all USC Upstate employees to facilitate and promote safety, health and environmental management. |
Our administrative staff are the hub of our departments who are the first source of information for the students, faculty, and staff they support, and who are often on the front lines of interactions with new students and their families. These trainings identify skills to use in those situations.
Trainings required include:
- Personality Profile — What type are you? And how does that type thrive in a team setting? Learning that everyone is not the same is the first step in improving our teams.
- Communication Skills — Improving the way we speak and listen to others.
- Handling Conflicts — Basic skills for positive outcomes in situations of conflict.
- Business English — Special attention is given to our email structure, content focus, and tips specific to higher education.
- Team Dynamics – Learning how to more effectively work with others to improve overall performance of the team.
- Emotional Intelligence – Understanding your own emotions and how they affect others around you.
- At least two other position-specific trainings such as HR Processes, PeopleSoft Proxy, etc.
Participation in this series of trainings benefits the individual learner and the University by fostering an environment that maximizes professional development and continuous improvement. Completion of the series of trainings is rewarded with a certificate and recognition at the University’s annual Administrative Professionals Event, which is held at the end of each academic year.
This certificate is for faculty, staff or student staff who complete a series of educational workshops by subject matter experts to advance our culture that respects and values the contributions of all its members and promotes a civil and just university environment. Trainings required include:
- Multi-Generational Workplace — Improve your unit by highlighting and celebrating the best traits of each generation as well as emphasizing the common threads.
- Cross-Cultural Communications — Understand one’s personal cultural assumptions and biases that may impact work relationships.
- Green Zone Training — Learn about the issues and concerns faced by military affiliated students and the resources available to them. Persons who complete the training are included in the Green Zone Network.
- Safe Zone Ally — Promote a community of respect and dignity where all people are free to thrive academically, professionally and personally.
- Becoming Accessible — All of our communications should be accessible to everyone, regardless of physical challenges. Learn the basics of document accessibility to make assurance of accessibility a standard office process across our campus.
- Civil Treatment — Learn how to identify and properly handle inappropriate behavior, including harassment, discrimination, and retaliation, so that we can work together productively to achieve our mission.
Participation in this series of trainings benefits the individual learner and the University by cultivating an inclusive campus environment that advances equity, wellness, and civility.
LEAD (Learn, Educate And Develop) is a management skills development program designed to assist University employees in enhancing their knowledge, skills and abilities to lead people and get results. It also serves as a vehicle to prepare employees for career advancement. While crucial for new supervisors, experienced supervisors will discover new approaches to leadership and fresh ways to manage people effectively. Fostering an environment that maximizes employee professional development helps make us a university of choice, which is one of our main objectives in our strategic plan.
LEAD I — Supervisory Essentials: Fundamental skills for managing the University’s workforce
- Writing Effective Position Descriptions
- Hiring at UofSC
- Interviewing & Selecting Employees
- Flexible Leadership
- Setting Expectations and Coaching
- Tackling Difficult Conversations
- Managing Expectations
All of these classes are presented live on line by the Office of Professional Development at UofSC. A comprehensive test will be given prior to awarding certificates. In addition to earning a LEAD certificate for these courses, supervisors on our campus are asked to attend the following class presented by our Director of Employee Relations, Sharon Woods, as soon as preparing EPMS becomes a part of your responsibilities.
Employee Performance Management System (EPMS): What Supervisors Need to Know
This course discusses the core elements of the performance management system. Specifically, participants will be introduced to:
- the EPMS policy and process
- performance cycle timeframes
- performance management forms and resources
- tools to address substandard performance
- performance levels and ratings
This course replaces the Managing Performance Using EPMS: Planning Stage and Evaluation courses.
LEAD II — Leadership Enhancers: Beyond the basic skills to maximize development
- Communication Skills
- DiSC Personality Profile
- Multi-Generational Workplace
- Conflict Management Skills
- Team Building
- Effective Delegation
- Cross Cultural Communication
LEAD III — Aspiring Leaders: For employees who do not currently supervise full time staff
- Multi-Generational Workplace
- DiSC Personality Profile
- Situational Leadership
- EPMS for Non-Supervisory Employees
- Sexual Harassment/Discrimination
- Communication Skills
- Conflict Resolution
View the progress of your direct reports. Export to Excel by clicking within your list for the toolbar. Scheduled events are available on Training web page calendar.
The Spartan Customer Service Excellence Certificate is awarded for completion of a series of educational workshops by subject matter experts to improve our culture of service excellence. Trainings required include:
- Customer Service Excellence – Create Disney-style service experience for both external and internal customers. Yes, we all have customers!
- DiSC Personality Profile – Learn to appreciate personality styles that are different from yours.
- Civil Treatment – Work through scenarios of workplace behavior to see the impact of our words and actions on others.
- Communicating on the Front Lines – The focus in this session is on listening skills and body language as we interact with our customers and each other.
- Stress Management – How are you coping with the anxiety and pressure of today?
- Lean Basics – Maybe it’s not your call to make a change in procedure, but it’s best to speak up when you see a recurring work flow hiccup that could be fixed.
- USC Upstate 101 – Learn about our campus and all its beauty. The more you know, the better advocate you can be.
This certificate opportunity aligns with our strategic plan’s goal in many ways. One of our main goals is to become a university of choice for faculty, staff, students and the community. This certificate program works toward that by cultivating an inclusive campus environment that advances equity, wellness and civility; by fostering an environment that maximizes employee professional development; and by operationalizing quality control and continuous improvement.
This development track highlights existing wellness trainings on our campus and online through USC, with emphasis on physical and mental well-being. Complete 7 out of 9 of these requirements to receive the certificate:
- QPR - Question, Persuade, and Refer is a suicide awareness class offered regularly by Counseling Services. (1.5 hours) – refer to calendar on Training webpage above
- OSHA - Annual requirement for all faculty and staff. (45 minutes – 1 hour)
- Active Shooter - live training through University Public Safety or online, which is located under Online Training on Training web page (30 Minutes)
- RAD – Rape Aggression Defense is a live training provided by University Public Safety (3 hours/3nights)
- Stress Awareness - International Stress Awareness Day is celebrated in November. Other training options throughout the year are announced as they are confirmed. (1.5 hours)
- AAA Driving Safety - offered by University Public Safety (6-8 hours)
- Campus Security Authority Training - located under Online Training on Training web page (30 minutes). This training is suggested for all student-facing positions, but is open for all.
- Emotional Intelligence – live class on our campus as announced and online via USC Professional Development (1.5 hours)
- Psychological Safety – live on our campus March 2023 (1.5 hours) – refer to calendar on Training web page.
Our newest learning opportunity is a deep dive into all things environmental. The entire slate of requirements will be offered in our kickoff workshop on Wednesday, April 19, and individually in subsequent semesters. Participants in the Sustainability Certificate will learn information about sustainability topics and concepts, both on a macro-level and specifically relating to Upstate, as well as communication and behavior change techniques.
Green 101
- Introduction to the vocabulary of sustainability
- Overview of the United Nations Sustainability Goals, Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, and University Social Responsibility
- Learn how to become Green Office Certified and plan Green Events
Waste-Less Solutions
- Explore the concepts of reduce, reuse, recycle
- Develop skills and tools to reduce human impact on the environment (purchasing, food waste, consumerism)
Water Wise
- Learn about the importance of water usage and reduction strategies
Getting Dirty
- Learn about composting, pollinator habitats, and gardening
Engaging with Nature
- Discover the benefits of embracing nature
- Develop a sense of connection to nature as you learn to interact with nature in ways that promote well-being
Hot Topics in Sustainability
- Eco-labeling
- Greenwashing
- Corporate Social Responsibility
Benefits of completing the Sustainability Certificate
The certificate program provides participants with the resources, skills, and knowledge necessary to serve as leaders and change agents in their offices and the larger Upstate Community as a Sustainability Ambassador. By becoming a Sustainability Ambassador, you will:
- Join a campus-wide network of peers working together to adopt a culture of sustainability
- Contribute to an inclusive environment to share ideas, problem-solve, and facilitate change
- Enhance your leadership skills and be an agent for change in your office through additional certification opportunities
- Add to your professional and personal development, expanding your skill set and knowledge of sustainability concepts
At the conclusion of the certificate, participants will take a post-assessment inventory. After completing all the required trainings, participants will receive a sustainability ambassador sticker (to put on a reusable water bottle or anywhere) and a badge to put in their signature line.
USC Upstate personal and professional development programs are offered to help achieve overall institutional goals by:
- Improving interpersonal skills and increasing productivity by refining communication techniques.
- Enhancing the quality of life for USC employees.
If you would like to borrow any of the following personal or professional development materials, please e-mail Lisa Caggiano or call ext. 5886.
CD Sets, Books, and Books on Tape
BlinkMalcolm Gladwell(7 CD Set) A book about how we think without thinking, about choices that seem to be made in an instant-in the blink of an eye- that actually aren’t as simple as they seem. Why are some people brilliant decision makers, while others are consistently inept? Why do some people follow their instincts and win, while others end up stumbling into error? How do our brains really work-in the office, in the classroom, in the kitchen, and in the bedroom? And why are the best decisions often those that are impossible to explain to others? |
The Tipping PointMalcolm Gladwell |
GoalsZig Ziglar(2 CD Set) If you have dreams, then you need goals. Zig Ziglar presents his dynamic seven-step formula for clearly defining your immediate and long-term goals…and then realizing your dreams. You’ll learn how to work around obstacles and change your strategies without changing your vision; how to become a team player, how to master your time; and to set goals for everything you want in life. |
Bringing out the Best in PeopleAubrey C. Daniels |
The Sound of Your VoiceDr. Carol Fleming |
The World is FlatThomas Friedman |
Good To Greatby Jim Collins |
Healthy Agingby Andrew Weil, M.D. |
8 Weeks to Optimum Healthby Andrew Weil, M.D. |
The Proverbial Cracker JackDale Henry, Ph.D. |
How to Challenge Yourself and Others to GreatnessDale Carnegie |
FISH for Lifeby Stephen C. Lundin, Ph.D, John Christensen and Harry Paul |
Empowering Your Teamby Pat Heim, Ph. D. |
She Said/He Saidby Pat Heim, Ph. D. |
Productive Conflict Skillsby Pat Heim, Ph. D. |
Men are from Mars, Women are from Venusby John Gray, Ph. D. |
Who Moved My Cheeseby Spencer Johnson, M.D. "Cheese is a metaphor for what you want to have in life- good job, money, relationships, health, etc. "The Maze" is where you look for what you want- family, work, church. |
First Things Firstby Stephen Covey |
Gung Ho!by Ken Blanchard & Sheldon Bowles |
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Peopleby Stephen Covey |
The 8th Habitby Stephen Covey |
The Leadership Pillby Ken Blanchard and Marc Muchnick |
How to Be a Winnerby Zig Ziggler |
Family Firstby Dr. Phil McGraw |
The 5 Essential People Skillsby Dale Carnegie |
The Millionaire Next Doorby Thomas Stanley and William Danko |
The Ultimate Weight Solution by Dr. Phil McGraw(5 CD Set) |
The Purpose Driven Lifeby Rick Warren |
The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energyby Jon Gordon |
Turn the Tide: Rise Above Toxic, Difficult Situations in the Workplaceby Kathy Obear, Ed. D. |
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Lisa Caggiano 326 I Stockwell Administration Building 864-503-5886 |