Bentley University
EN-12: Continuing Education

Sustainability-inclusive programs - the following continuing education courses provide participants with information and tools that address sustainability challenges outlined by Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 5.

Center for Women in Business Sustainability Programs 2019
Total CWB Programs: 58
Total CWB Sustainability Programs: 53

Participants: For each program, the participants are professionals employed by our corporate partners. Gearing Up and 2020 Women on Boards are both hosted at Bentley and are comprised of 250+ professionals from many different companies. Taking charge is for mid–to–senior level female managers and about 20 participants from several companies. For everything else listed as a workshop, CWB speakers go on-site to our corporate partners to deliver a specialized workshop and participants usually represent all levels of the company.

Gearing Up Conference – 1 annual event
Gearing Up is in its 15th year as the premiere conference dedicated to professionals in the first decade of their career. This dynamic event focuses on the leadership aspirations of women, those who identify as female, individuals who are non-binary, and all allies. Gearing Up prepares individuals to take risks, to aspire to higher leadership, and to grow as inclusive leaders.

2020 Women on Boards – 1 annual event
Each year, the Gloria Cordes Larson Center for Women and Business (CWB) hosts an evening of networking and insightful conversation aimed at building awareness on the importance of board diversity. In partnership with 2020 Women on Boards, our goal is to urge companies to increase board diversity and inspire women and other unrepresented groups to actively pursue nonprofit and corporate board positions. The annual event includes a dynamic panel discussion, filled with diverse experiences and perspectives on board experience.

Taking Charge – Women’s Executive Leadership Program – 2 sessions, 1 in the fall and 1 in the spring, each session is comprised of 7 individual courses
Taking Charge is a 7– day intensive leadership experience for mid–to–senior level female managers looking to gain the executive presence and capabilities necessary to lead at the executive level. This dynamic program focuses on critical knowledge and skills that empower effective, impactful leaders. This includes gaining insight into individual leadership strengths and developmental opportunities via a 360° leadership assessment, understanding the unique challenges of women in leadership and strategies for advancement, strengthening communications skills for improved effectiveness with internal and external constituents, building knowledge on strategic leadership and change management, executive coaching focused on engaging and leading teams, learning to build a business network for the long term.

Unconscious Bias for Inclusive Workplaces – 18 workshops
Research confirms that we all carry unconscious bias. In the workplace, this can leave underrepresented groups feeling unaccepted and stand in the way of developing an authentically inclusive organizational culture. The good news is that we can all learn how to interrupt unconscious bias, becoming more self-aware and accepting as co-workers and more inclusive as leaders. This knowledge, coupled with an understanding of the positive impact inclusive organizations have on innovation, productivity, and profits, highlights the imperative to address the role of workplace bias and increase organizational inclusivity. Our session addresses this need with a unique look at unconscious bias. We share often-surprising data about underrepresented groups and explore the role of intersectionality.

Bridging Difference with Courageous Conversations – 11 workshops
Organizations striving to become more inclusive are increasingly utilizing a powerful intervention – courageous conversations. In fact, a chief diversity officer at one company noted, “We know we are making progress when we start having difficult conversations.” Tools to engage in uncomfortable feedback workplace conversations, help co-workers bridge differences. Dialogue is reciprocal, honest and open with both parties participating in order to learn about the other’s viewpoint. Often related to race, gender, or power, courageous conversations require honesty, openness, and vulnerability. In this workshop, participants develop a critical communication competency that can, in turn, help their organization become more inclusive, innovative, and high performing.

Allyship, including Men in Partnership to Advance Women – 4 workshops
The powerful impact that powerful workplace allies – especially white men – can play in supporting underrepresented groups is well documented. And yet, research unequivocally demonstrates that the key to igniting action is awareness and understanding. Indeed, all individuals must first recognize their own biases and privilege before beginning the journey as allies. This session not only facilitates understanding and awareness of complex and sensitive issues – it also ignites action, equipping attendees with action steps to serve as strong, active advocates for others. Facilitators first provide current, impactful data that makes the business case for allyship.

A D&I Briefing for Executives or Frontline Managers – 4 workshops
The current political, economic, and social climate, marked by rapidly changing demographics, new technologies, and political polarization, has led to an increased emphasis on leadership activism. Key stakeholders – whether employees, shareholders, or board members – often expect activist business leaders who will intentionally develop inclusive cultures, talk openly about them, and serve as visible role models. This offering is designed to support such executives, providing them with a current and concise look at critical D&I issues in the workplace, with a focus on gender.

Overcoming Hidden Barriers and Addressing the Gender Confidence Gap to Thrive – 8 workshops
Research demonstrates that women enter the workforce confident that they can rise to senior leadership but that their confidence wanes by midcareer; in contrast, men’s confidence increases with experience. Structural and social dynamics play a significant role. This session addresses and presents the research and the solutions to such issues, including microinequities that can erode women’s ability to thrive. Participants learn about imposter syndrome, unseen barriers, and second generation bias, and have a chance to discuss gender differences that cause women to internalize setbacks while men disassociate from them.

Effective Communication & Conflict Styles – 1 workshop
Effective communication skills are critical competencies for successful managers and leaders in order to work effectively with peers from a variety of backgrounds. Organizations are changing norms around work, innovation, culture, and employee engagement as they strive to create an environment of authenticity and belonging. To achieve this, forward-thinking organizations are equipping employees with the right competencies to engage effectively with a variety of communication preferences, to engage in productive disagreement and to work more effectively together. In this session, participants enhance their understanding of effective communication tactics and practice critical communication skills; including listening and working with different communication preferences.

Employee Resource Groups – Inclusion in Action – 1 workshop
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) continue to grow in depth and breadth, representing an increasingly diverse workforce and strategically aligning themselves with business goals. Employers recognize that ERGs provide critical benefits to their employees and business units. Our customized ERG workshops address how to establish and develop ERGs, how to encourage business alignment, and how to measure success. We also look at leadership, the role of executive sponsors, how to collaborate effectively with internal and external groups, and challenges that can provide obstacles to success.

Empowering the Workforce in the Age of #MeToo – 1 workshop
When #MeToo exploded on the national scene, it quickly generated positive workplace outcomes, such as businesses giving renewed attention to unconscious bias training, men as allies programs, and equitable hiring practices. Yet it has also contributed to increased tension in workplace relationships, the marginalization of women of color, men’s apprehension about working with women, and what constitutes appropriate behavior. One of our corporate partners put it well: “People are retreating back into their shells.” This panel of executives will engage in a front and center discussion of the challenges #MeToo presents along with positive interventions. They will explore how businesses can harness best practices, create cultures of authentic inclusion, cultivate courageous conversations for increased understanding across differences, and address audience questions. The CWB will provide a follow-up summary of key learnings after the session.

Getting Back in the Game – Supporting Workplace Re-Entry – 1 workshop
Issues related to workplace re-entry are becoming more common as the traditional reason for extended time off – mothers caring for children – is taking its place alongside other forms of leave such as employees caring for aging parents, fathers taking parental leave, extended professional sabbaticals, sick leave, military service, and part-time workers transitioning to full-time employment. Ensuring successful transitions back to the workplace for workers and their employers is more important than ever given the intense competition for excellent employees in a near-full employment economy. In this session, we’ll address the newest strategies to support returning employees, their frontline managers, and the larger workforce. We’ll explore how an organization’s culture can make it easier or more difficult for returning employees and skill sets that need to be addressed. Attendees will share challenges and best practices throughout the roundtable, and the CWB will provide a follow-up summary of key learnings after the session.

Executive Education Sustainability Programs:
Total Executive Education Programs: 17
Total Executive Education Sustainability Programs: 2

Taking Charge: Women’s Executive Leadership (2 workshops – 1 Fall / 1 Spring)
7-day intensive leadership experience for mid-to-senior level female managers looking to gain the executive presence and capabilities necessary to lead at the executive level.

Bentley University’s Diversity & Inclusion Champion Certificate equips business executives with the training and tools to create and nurture an inclusive organizational culture. Participants in the program move from individual self-reflection and learning, to team-level diagnosis and interventions, and finally to organizational and system-level change planning.

More information can be found here: https://www.bentley.edu/centers/executive-education/diversity-inclusion-champion-certificate?utm_campaign=execed&utm_source=google-search&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=diversity&utm_term=eta&gclid=Cj0KCQjwka_1BRCPARIsAMlUmEqfgFGFx9miyWJEYHMhyXdV7OMD-vNqy35dQKHjeXoFEYJp0RpdlWAaAplGEALw_wcB

This information was gathered for FY2019 from the Center for Women in Business and the Executive Education departments.

The courses included as sustainability courses have been counted due to each addressing a sustainability challenge as outlined by the UN Development goals.

We do not have any continuing education regular credits. Therefore the majority of our continuing education courses are offered related to gender issues and thus qualify for this credit.