Next-Gen Leadership Starts with UMSL

Great Leaders Don’t Just Adapt to Change — They Drive It

The pace of change is accelerating, and organizations need leaders who can not only adapt but drive transformation. UMSL Executive Education offers customizable pathways from foundational management to advanced, AI-ready leadership designed to strengthen your talent pipeline boost team performance, and help your organization thrive in times of rapid change. Our programs blend real-world expertise with forward-looking skills. From professional certifications to leadership development tailored for the AI era — so your business is ready for what’s next.

Foundations – Managing Self & Others

Focus: Core managerial skills for new or aspiring leaders

• Foundations of Effective Management
  • Competencies: Managerial mindset, self-awareness, time management, priority setting, role transition
• Communication: Connect Through Conversations
  • Competencies: Active listening, clear messaging, emotional intelligence, adaptability in communication
• Feedback, Coaching & Difficult Conversations
  • Competencies: Giving/receiving feedback, coaching, conflict resolution, empathy, resilience
• Building Trust & Psychological Safety
  • Competencies: Trust-building, inclusion, authenticity, creating safe environments, team rapport
    
    Micro-Credential 1: Manager Foundations Certificate

Advanced Practice – Leading High-Performing Teams

Focus: Leading others effectively and driving team success

• Motivating & Engaging Teams
  • Competencies: Team motivation, recognition practices, employee engagement, culture of belonging
• Delegation, Accountability & Empowerment
  • Competencies: Delegation, accountability, empowerment, decision-making, ownership mindset
• Leading Teams & Driving Performance
  • Competencies: Goal-setting (SMART, OKRs), performance management, collaboration, meeting facilitation
• Inclusive & Ethical Leadership
  • Competencies: Inclusive leadership, ethical reasoning, cultural awareness, fairness in decision-making
    
    Micro-Credential 2: Team Leadership Certificate

Mastery – Leading Organizations & Change

Focus: Strategic leadership and organizational impact

• Leading Change & Transformation
  • Competencies: Change management, vision-setting, adaptability, influence, resilience under pressure
• Strategic Thinking & Business Acumen
  • Competencies: Systems thinking, strategic analysis, financial & market awareness, decision-making
• Innovation, Digital Transformation & AI Leadership
  • Competencies: Innovation mindset, digital literacy, experimentation, leading tech adoption responsibly
• Leader as Culture Builder & Talent Developer
  • Competencies: Culture shaping, succession planning, mentoring, talent development, legacy leadership
    
    Micro-Credential 3: Organizational Leadership Certificate

AI-Ready Leadership (Optional Specialization)

• AI Fundamentals for Managers (Non-Technical)
  • What AI is (and isn’t)
  • Key terms & technologies explained simply
  • Where AI fits in business processes
  • Case studies of successful adoption
• Leading Through AI Transformation
  • Aligning leadership behaviors with digital change
  • Overcoming resistance and fear of technology
  • Creating psychologically safe environments during disruption
  • Linking AI strategy to human capabilities
• Human + AI Collaboration Skills
  • Redefining roles (what people do best, what AI does best)
  • Decision-making in human-machine teams
  • Building adaptability, creativity, and resilience in employees
  • Training teams to use AI responsibly
• AI Ethics, Governance & Responsible Use
  • Bias, fairness, and transparency in AI systems
  • Data privacy and compliance issues
  • Leaders’ role in ethical AI decision-making
  • Building trust with stakeholders and customers
    
    Micro-Credential 4: AI-Ready Leadership Certificate