The Learning Org
Volume 7 no. 10
| | Communities of Practice: Get Connected | | |
Communities of Practice (CoPs) are at the heart of everything we do at the SUNY Center for Professional Development. CPD was founded on the belief that bringing people together to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices strengthens both individual growth and institutional success. Through our programs, conferences, and collaborative initiatives, we help foster connections that advance learning and innovation across the SUNY system.
To support this work, CPD manages the SUNY Learning Commons, a collaboration network powered by Microsoft Viva Engage. The Commons currently hosts 68 communities where SUNY faculty and staff connect, share resources, discuss emerging issues, and build professional networks across campuses.
Interested in finding a community to join or creating a new one? CPD can help you connect with existing groups or establish a new Community of Practice aligned with your interests and goals. To learn more, contact Emma Sheedy, Manager of Communications and Community Engagement at emma.sheedy@suny.edu.
Lisa Raposo
Executive Director
| | The SUNY SAIL Summer Leadership Program continues to empower SUNY professionals through hands-on leadership development, reflection, and community engagement. Participants explore topics such as emotional intelligence, personal values, and authentic leadership through experiential activities that bring leadership concepts to life. As SAIL Institute Director Carolyn Mattiske shared, “The best leadership learning doesn’t just happen in our heads. It happens in community.” Programs like SAIL demonstrate how meaningful leadership growth occurs when participants connect, reflect, and learn together. Consider joining a future cohort to experience this transformative leadership opportunity. | | |
Making Course Content Accessible with AI: Title II Readiness'
Learn how to use AI to create more accessible course content while preparing for ADA Title II compliance with practical, sustainable strategies you can apply right away.
August 20
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Mindful Leadership Certificate
Strengthen your leadership with practical mindfulness techniques that enhance resilience, decision-making, and communication in higher education.
August 25 – November 16
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Data Literacy Courses
Gain the confidence to analyze, interpret, and communicate data to support smarter decision-making across your campus.
Fundamentals of Working with Data
August 25 – October 5
Storytelling with Data
October 6 – November 16
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Leading Change in Higher Education Certificate
Develop the skills and strategies to confidently lead meaningful, sustainable change using proven higher education frameworks and practical leadership tools.
Course 1: Foundations of Leading Change in Higher Education
September 1 – November 23, 2026
Course 2: Championing Change Leadership in Higher Education
February 2 – March 23, 2027
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SUNY New Faculty Open Mic
This free peer mentoring group is for tenure-track faculty in their first three years, providing a supportive space to connect with colleagues, discuss challenges, and gain guidance on teaching, scholarship, advising, and service.
September 14, 2026
September 28, 2026
October 5, 2026
October 26, 2026
November 9, 2026
November 23, 2026
December 7, 2026
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Grants and Proposals Course
Learn proven grant writing strategies, from fund sourcing and proposal development to collaboration and successful submission, to strengthen your funding success.
Sept 15 – Oct 26
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SUNY Business Intelligence Workshops
Build practical skills across SUNY’s Business Intelligence workshops with hands-on, live Zoom sessions designed to help you create, analyze, and share student and financial data reports—from introductory fundamentals to advanced query development.
Learn more about the following courses:
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Distance Learning Leadership Certificate Program
Step into a high-impact leadership role in online education by gaining the strategic, technical, and leadership skills needed to design, manage, and grow innovative distance learning programs in this comprehensive certificate experience.
Course 1: September 15 – October 26, 2025
Course 2: November 3 – December 14, 2025
Course 3: February 9 – March 22, 2026
Course 4: May 18 – June 21, 2027
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Emerging Leaders Academy
Transform your leadership potential into real impact through this immersive, multi-month academy that blends coaching, hands-on projects, and powerful self-discovery experiences to help you lead with confidence, influence, and purpose.
Part 1: October 6 – November 18, 2026
Part 2: February 2 – March 15, 2027
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Project Management Fundamentals
Build confidence and boost your career by mastering the essentials of project management in this engaging, hands-on two-day workshop designed to give you practical tools, real-world experience, and a shared framework you can immediately apply on the job.
Friday, Sept 25, 2026, and Friday, Oct 2, 2026 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday, Nov 6, 2026, and Friday, Nov 13, 2026 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday, Feb 25, 2027, and Friday, Feb 26, 2027 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
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Don't See What You're Looking For?
Browse our full calendar of conferences, workshops, and online offerings.
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Instructor Spotlight: Jeanne Ball, Binghamton University
Jeanne Ball teaches SUNY Business Intelligence Introductory Analysis Training using Financial Data with SUNY CPD, bringing expertise in finance and business intelligence reporting. The course helps participants better understand SUNY financial dashboards, learn how reports are built, and gain valuable insight into the data warehouse that powers financial reporting across the SUNY system.
Designed as a hands-on learning experience, the program allows participants to build their own reports in real time alongside the instructor. Students can ask questions as they work through challenges and gain practical experience using BI tools. By the end of the course, participants are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to create meaningful reports and share their work with colleagues.
One of the things Jeanne enjoys most about teaching the course is the opportunity to learn from participants across SUNY. Although she has only taught a few sessions so far, she has already discovered that every class is unique. From navigating the occasional unpredictability of BI systems to hearing how different campuses approach their work, Jeanne values the insights and perspectives students bring to each session.
Through her work with SUNY CPD, Jeanne appreciates the opportunity to connect with financial professionals from across the SUNY system and share her knowledge with others. She enjoys building relationships with colleagues she may not otherwise meet and looks forward to continuing to learn from her students while helping them strengthen their business intelligence skills.
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Flexible Learning Opportunities | | | | Google AI Coursera Courses
Through SUNY’s partnership with Google and Coursera, SUNY students, faculty, staff, and alumni can access free Google AI training and certificate programs to build valuable AI skills and earn industry-recognized credentials. Find a how-to guide below to get started. | |
Turning Learning into Leadership
After completing the Distance Learning Leader Certificate Program, Sharon Jacobson, a longtime SUNY Brockport adjunct faculty member, transformed ideas developed through her coursework into meaningful action on campus. Her exploration of the challenges adjunct faculty face began in the Online Student Support Services course and was further developed through the Distance Learning Leader program.
Inspired by these experiences, Sharon is partnering with Brockport's Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) to launch a year-long discussion centered on adjunct faculty voices. Participants will explore “Adjunct faculty voices: Cultivating professional development and community at the front lines of higher education," meeting twice each semester to discuss topics related to adjunct faculty experiences, professional development, and institutional support. The initiative aims not only to foster connection among adjunct faculty, but also to engage department chairs and campus leaders in conversations about strengthening adjunct orientation, support, and professional development opportunities.
Sharon is also planning to propose an Adjunct Faculty Learning Community (FLC) to further advance these efforts. The initiative is made possible through the support of CELT and the Drake Memorial Library, which has acquired an e-book version for participants, while CELT is providing complimentary copies of the book to the first five SUNY Brockport adjunct faculty members who register.
Sharon credits much of this work to the support and advocacy of Catie Lalonde at CELT, as well as colleagues and mentors including Susan Warner, Michelle Forte, Danyelle O'Brien, Maureen Kinney, Milo Obourn and others who have encouraged her leadership and championed the value adjunct faculty bring to higher education. We are proud to see how Sharon has turned her learning into action and look forward to the positive impact of her efforts on the Brockport community.
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Nick Krasoski
Program Support Specialist
We are pleased to welcome Nick Krasoski as our new Program Support Specialist at the SUNY Center for Professional Development. Nick has worked previously at Onondaga Community College in their Student Central department. Also, he worked at SUNY Oswego’s Office of Professional Development by coordinating workshops. and supported the office’s annual Leadership Oswego County cohort. Along with earning his undergraduate and graduate degrees from SUNY, Nick’s other experiences include marketing and communication, and customer service skillsets. We are happy to welcome Nick to our team and are excited for the positive contributions he will make in supporting our mission and the SUNY community.
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Viva Engage
Connect with SUNY colleagues through Communities of Practice and topic-based groups in the SUNY Learning Commons. Open to anyone within the SUNY tenant. Explore all Communities of Practice on the SUNY CPD website, or contact Emma Sheedy, SUNY CPD Manager of Communications and Community Engagement, for a one-on-one guide to learn more about creating or revamping your own Community of Practice.
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