Furman University
EN-12: Continuing Education

Similar to our Academic Courses assessment, we used the UN SDGs as a guide to determine if a course was sustainability-focused or sustainability-inclusive.

Furman's postgraduate diploma in corporate sustainability is designed for individuals or teams who are responsible for implementing sustainable business practices. The program was created in Fall 2010, discontinued in 2018.

In 2021, the Furman University Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities, in partnership with Sustain SC, launched the Sustainability Leadership Initiative (SLI) — an innovative leadership development program and host of ongoing Sustainability Forums for future-minded leaders in South Carolina. 24 participants are selected annually from a large pool of applicants across South Carolina to attend the six sessions and become an SLI Fellow. The class matrix will support a balance between private, public, and conservation NGO representatives. Each session is paired with a Sustainability Forum open to a second attendee from each Fellow’s organization on the day following the primary session, which will take a deeper dive into key markets of sustainability: Energy & Electrification, Carbon Neutrality & Water, Ethics & Human Wellbeing, Climate & Circular Economy.

https://www.furman.edu/osher-lifelong-learning-institute/

In addition to the courses in the attached document, these courses were offered by our Corporate and Professional Development Program in 2020:

1. Women's Leadership Institute
Spring Jan 8 to Feb 26, 2020
The Women’s Leadership Institute at Furman University is a leadership training program for both existing female leaders and developing female leaders. This curriculum is focused on teaching participants evidence-based leadership theory and practical application of these theories to help them inspire followers, lead groups, and achieve organizational goals—all in the context of better understanding the unique challenges women face in the workplace.

2. LEADING CHANGE
As we’ve seen in just the past few weeks, the pace of change is rapidly increasing. As a leader, your job is to deliver today AND change for tomorrow. To successfully lead change, there’s one critical resource…people. Your team (and their emotions) make or break change. Successful changes can’t be left to chance, you need intentionality! This session will focus on people’s normal reactions to change and how to think through the process of change so you can take targeted action to improve your chances of success.
Featuring Kenneth Fields '98 and Johannes Mutzke with BlueInc Strategies
Spring - Thursday, April 9 @ 12PM EST


3. MANAGING CHANGE: WHAT CAN BUSINESS LEARN FROM STARTUPS DURING UNCERTAIN TIMES?
In addition to leading the remote work revolution, startups confront uncertainty on a regular basis. In this session, Cam Houser (Actionworks founder and faculty at the University of Texas at Austin) will share stories and actionable strategies you and your organization can use to not just survive--but thrive--during this surreal time. He has delivered this workshop, which translates the methods and mindsets of startups to a language that established organizations can speak, to Apple, GE Aviation, KPMG, Daimler, and more.
Featuring Cam Houser , CEO of Actionworks
Spring - Thursday, April 16 @12PM EST

4. HARD CONVERSATIONS AND CANDOR
In stressful times, it’s easy to take a pass on having a difficult conversation. You’re worried about making things worse, there are lots of other important things that need to be done, or you just don’t like conflict! This session will help you tackle difficult conversations in a respectful and effective manner.
Featuring Kenneth Fields '98 and Johannes Mutzke with BlueInc Strategies
Thursday, April 23 @ 12PM EST

5. MEDITATION ON THE JOB: MENTAL HEALTH FOR REMOTE WORKERS
Now is a stressful time! In this session, Cam Houser will lead an interactive session around best practices for resilience and mental health for knowledge workers. This session will remain grounded in real-world, proven approaches--no crystal healing or new age music here. It will, however, require an open mind and a willingness to experiment with a guided meditation. Cam has delivered these sessions to teams at National Instruments, Samsung, and the Texas Lottery Commission.
Featuring Cam Houser , CEO of Actionworks
Spring - Thursday, April 30 @ 12PM EST


6. WHO'S ON FIRST? - THE RIGHT PEOPLE FOR THE RIGHT ROLES
The only thing that’s worse than feeling like you are in the wrong place is leading a team of people who feels like they’re in the wrong place! This session will focus on who is on your team, what roles they’re best suited to play, and how those roles fit within different kinds of organizations.
Featuring Kenneth Fields '98 and Johannes Mutzke with BlueInc Strategies
Spring - Thursday, MAY 7 @ 12PM EST

7. HONING YOUR BRAVE IN UNCERTAIN TIMES
What is it that allows us to be and bring our best, most authentic and powerful selves—to be brave—when the stakes feel high and life feels uncertain? How do we tap into our hidden genius and become more than we ever envisioned for ourselves? Drawing from years of working with leaders of all experience levels and industries and the latest research in psychology, sociology, business, and the arts, author Kimberly Davis demystifies what it takes to be step into your brave and make an impact.
Featuring Kimberly Davis, author of Brave Leadership and owner of OnStage Leadership
Spring - Thursday, May 14 @ 12PM EST

8. Design Thinking 101 - Greenville County Schools
Design Thinking is a powerful process for problem solving that begins with understanding customer needs, turning needs into insights. This emerges into a process for innovation that encompasses concept development and ideation, applied creativity, prototyping, and experimentation. When the design thinking processes are applied to business, the success rate for innovation improves significantly
Fall - Dec. 14 and 15