Navigating the unknowns associated with COVID-19 has proved challenging for everyone, and those charged with workforce development at businesses and organizations nationwide are no exception. In response, WGU Missouri and its parent university Western Governors University (WGU), are hosting a three-part, webinar series called “Ambition Never Rests,” addressing workforce development challenges and opportunities, and changes in higher education amid the pandemic. The first, 60-minute webinar will be held Thursday, July 16, at 9 a.m. and will address the “State of Workforce Development Across Industries.” The webinar is free and open to the public. Registration is required and can be completed at wgu.edu/thoughtleaderseries.
Two local experts will be among the speakers highlighted in the July 16 webinar. Dr. Angie Besendorfer, Chancellor of WGU Missouri, will be providing the welcoming remarks, while Cynthia Williams, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Mercy and President of the Mercy Health Foundation, will serve as a panelist. The webinar will feature a panel discussion between Williams and three other experts from around the nation. They include: Natalie Guzman, SVP, Internal Communications Director at Fifth Third Bank; Tamera Maresh-Carver, Managing Director, Development Innovation, and Organizational Strategy for FedEx Express; and Herman Bulls, Vice Chairman, Americas International Director, JLL. The webinar will be moderated by Spencer Stewart, VP Strategic Partnership with WGU.
The “State of Workforce Development Across Industries” webinar will provide insights into how businesses across the nation are navigating employee resizing, developing and implementing workforce continuity plans, upskilling employees and strategizing for fiscal year 21 and beyond. The discussion will also highlight how companies are considering the full breadth of their employees’ needs, in phases that include stability, self-esteem, mental health, community, growth and meaning in the context of crisis. Panelists will share plans, experiences, successes and pivots, as well as their thoughts on what the journey forward may look like.
At the end of the webinar, there will be an opportunity for individuals to participate in an open discussion and ask questions. The two subsequent 60-minute episodes of the webinar series will take place Aug. 24 at noon and Sept. 15 at 9 a.m. These webinars are titled “Upskilling for career advancement aligned with employer goals” and “How to advance and retain your workforce” respectively. Moderators and speakers will be announced at a later date.
All sessions will be recorded, and a link of each recording will be shared with webcast registrants after each session. Each session is valid for one Professional Development Credit (PDC) through SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®. Participants are encouraged to register for the free series in advance by visiting wgu.edu/thoughtleaderseries. For additional questions, please email WGUwebinars@wgu.edu.
About WGU Missouri
WGU Missouri is a competency-based, online university created to expand access to higher education for Missouri residents. The university offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of business, K-12 teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing. WGU Missouri faculty members provide one-on-one guidance, support, and instruction.
Established through a partnership with nationally recognized Western Governors University, WGU Missouri is open to all qualified Missouri residents. The university is nonprofit and self-sustaining on flat-rate tuition of about $7,000 per year for most programs.
Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Teachers College programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE*).
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For more information, contact:
Abigail Rolland
314-436-9090