At St. Cloud State University, Professional and Continuing Education is committed to strengthening communities by equipping leaders in all levels with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to lead with excellence. Our specialized courses are designed to meet the evolving needs in a variety of industries—offering practical, relevant, and forward-thinking training that supports transparency, efficiency, and innovation.
All courses are offered fully online, providing the flexibility busy professionals need to learn on their own schedule. Whether you're working toward an industry certification, promotion, or looking to stay current, our programs are a valuable resource. Select courses are eligible for CMC/MMC/EPP credit with verified participation and a completed learning assessment. Inquire for further details.
Courses are 2 hours in length. Individual and group pricing is available. Join a network of civic leaders committed to building stronger, more resilient municipalities—one course at a time.
Explore. Learn. Lead.
Ethical Challenges in the Workplace
This course introduces participants to foundational concepts of ethics in the workplace. Through interactive discussions, case studies, and real-world examples, students will explore the responsibilities and dilemmas commonly faced in a professional setting.
Embracing Neurodiversity at Work
Embracing neurodiversity isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a strategic advantage. This interactive workshop is designed for leaders, HR professionals, and teams who want to build more inclusive, neuro-welcoming organizations where all minds can thrive.
Generational Diversity
Gain an understanding of generational influences and apply inclusive communication and leadership strategies in the workplace. Ideal for all professionals in a multi-generational setting.
Digital Accessibility Basics
US Department of Justice recently updated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with specific requirements for cities and other local governments. These requirements affect your websites, digital documents, mobile apps, and other web-based information.
Liquor Licensing and Alcohol Enforcement
With growing numbers of breweries, distilleries, and food establishments this course helps you to understand the licensing rules and procedures for the State of MN and to understand the enforcement side as well as it pertains to liquor licensing and alcohol enforcement.
Understanding Occupational Fraud
Discover the latest insights on occupational fraud with data from the ACFE Report to the Nations. We’ll explore the key elements of effective anti-fraud programs and why they matter for every organization. Engage in small group discussions to share ideas, ask questions, and apply what you learn to real-world scenarios.
Team Trainings Available!
Navigating Communication at Work
Effective communication is a must-have skill for anyone working in a professional setting. This interactive session introduces participants to the various communication styles, explores how these styles impact workplace interactions, and offers practical techniques for adapting communication to enhance professionalism, reduce conflict, and build stronger relationships.
Foundations of Leadership
Leadership is not limited to those with formal authority—it is about influence, communication, and trust. In this interactive and practical session, we will explore the core principles of effective leadership, learn how to build credibility, and develop skills to lead ourselves and others with confidence. The course emphasizes real-world tools and frameworks that participants can apply in their day-to-day roles.
Additional Details for all Empowering Professional Courses
Custom pricing is available to groups of all sizes.
Select courses have verified educational points for IIMC credit.
SHRM credits are applicable to certain courses.
Courses are taught in-person or live-online.
For inquiries, contact PACE below.
Course Outlines
Click on the banner below to explore a detailed course outline.
Course Description:
You may have heard that the US Department of Justice recently updated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with specific requirements for cities and other local governments. These requirements affect your websites, digital documents, mobile apps, and other web-based information. Jay Wyant, the State’s Chief Information Accessibility Officer, will present on this new rule. Attend to learn more about what the rule means for you and how it impacts the work you do.
Learning Outcomes:
- Why digital accessibility matters, and how the new ADA rule creates urgency for all cities, their employees, and residents.
- Fundamentals of digital accessibility, along with how to determine if your current content is accessible.
- Where to obtain up-to-date information and training on digital accessibility relevant to your role.
Instructor: Jay Watt
Course Length: 2 Hours
Cost: Individuals: $124.99; Groups of 4 or more: $89.99 per person
Course Description:
With growing numbers of breweries, distilleries, and food establishments this course helps you to understand the licensing rules and procedures for the State of MN and to understand the enforcement side as well as it pertains to liquor licensing and alcohol enforcement.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the licensing and enforcement history, rules and procedures for the State of Minnesota.
- Be prepared to handle the intricacies of each type of licensing and submittals.
- Learn updated information related to issuing and regulating new license types and brief legislative updates.
Instructor: Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division of MN
Course Length: 2 Hours
Cost: Individuals: $124.99; Groups of 4 or more: $89.99 per person
Course Description:
Effective communication is a must-have skill for anyone working in a professional setting. This interactive session introduces participants to the various communication styles, explores how these styles impact workplace interactions, and offers practical techniques for adapting communication to enhance professionalism, reduce conflict, and build stronger relationships.
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify the four primary communication styles: Director, Relator, Socializer, and Thinker.
- Recognize your own default communication style and its strengths and limitations.
- Analyze how communication styles affect professional relationships and public interactions.
- Practice adapting communication techniques to match various work scenarios and audiences.
- Apply strategies for assertive communication to resolve conflicts and enhance clarity.
Instructor: Marshall Meier
Course Length: 2 Hours
Cost: Individuals: $124.99; Groups of 4 or more: $89.99 per person
Course Description:
Leadership is not limited to those with formal authority—it is about influence, communication, and trust. In this interactive and practical session, we will explore the core principles of effective leadership, learn how to build credibility, and develop skills to lead ourselves and others with confidence. The course emphasizes real-world tools and frameworks that participants can apply in their day-to-day roles.
Learning Outcomes:
- Define leadership and differentiate it from management
- Identify key leadership traits and behaviors
- Understand and apply different leadership styles
- Understand the role of leadership in defining a group’s culture
Instructor: Marshall Meier
Course Length: 2 Hours
Cost: Individuals: $124.99; Groups of 4 or more: $89.99 per person
Course Description:
This course introduces participants to foundational concepts of ethics in the workplace. Through interactive discussions, case studies, and real-world examples, students will explore the responsibilities and dilemmas commonly faced in a professional setting.
Learning Outcomes:
- Define ethics and explain why they are essential in the workplace
- Identify common ethical principles such as integrity, impartiality, transparency, and accountability.
- Recognize ethical dilemmas and conflicts of interest that may arise at work, especially as it applies in a municipal setting.
- Apply an ethical decision-making framework to analyze and resolve workplace scenarios.
Instructor: Marshall Meier
Course Length: 2 Hours
Cost: Individuals: $124.99; Groups of 4 or more: $89.99 per person
Course Description:
In today’s evolving workplace, embracing neurodiversity isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a strategic advantage. This interactive workshop is designed for leaders, HR professionals, and teams who want to build more inclusive, neuro-welcoming organizations where all minds can thrive.
Led by Dr. Matt Vorell—an experienced professor, organizational communication expert, and neurodivergent professional—this session offers both research-based insights and lived experience. Participants will explore what it means to be neurodivergent, with a focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and learn how to recognize the unique strengths and challenges neurodivergent employees bring to the workplace.
Through real-world examples, group discussion, and practical tools, attendees will:
- Understand key concepts of neurodiversity and common neurodivergent conditions.
- Gain insight into the impact of masking, sensory sensitivities, and communication differences.
- Learn actionable strategies for inclusive hiring, communication, and workplace design.
- Create a personalized action plan to foster a culture of belonging and cognitive diversity.
Learning Outcomes:
- Define neurodiversity and distinguish between common neurodivergent conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
- Identify the unique challenges and strengths that neurodivergent employees—particularly those with ASD and ADHD—bring to the workplace.
- Recognize the impact of masking, sensory sensitivities, and communication differences on neurodivergent employees’ workplace experiences.
- Apply practical strategies to create neuro-welcoming environments, including inclusive hiring practices, communication adjustments, and sensory-friendly accommodations.
- Develop an action plan for fostering a neuro-inclusive organizational culture that values diverse cognitive styles and promotes equity and belonging.
Instructor: Dr. Matt Vorell
Course Length: 2 Hours
Cost: Individuals: $124.99; Groups of 4 or more: $89.99 per person
Course Description:
This session is designed to help professionals understand generational influences and apply inclusive communication and leadership strategies in the workplace. Ideal for all professionals in a multi-generational workplace setting.
Learning Outcomes:
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Explain what generational cohorts are and how they are shaped by historical, cultural, and technological influences. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of how generations are defined and the key societal events that influence their values, behaviors, and workplace expectations.
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Describe how generational identity influences communication patterns and workplace interactions. Participants will explore how different generations tend to approach communication, including preferences for feedback, collaboration, and conflict resolution.
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Compare leadership expectations and team dynamics across generational lines. Participants will analyze how generational perspectives shape views on leadership, authority, and organizational culture, and how these differences can affect team cohesion.
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Apply inclusive communication and leadership strategies to foster generational collaboration. Participants will develop practical approaches to bridge generational gaps, reduce misunderstandings, and create a more inclusive and productive work environment.
Instructor: Dr. Matt Vorell
Course Length: 2 Hours
Cost: Individuals: $124.99; Groups of 4 or more: $89.99 per person
Course Description:
Discover the latest insights on occupational fraud with data from the ACFE Report to the Nations. We’ll explore the key elements of effective anti-fraud programs and why they matter for every organization. Engage in small group discussions to share ideas, ask questions, and apply what you learn to real-world scenarios.
Learning Outcomes:
- Be able to articulate key statistics about organizational fraud.
- Learn about relevant sources of information on fraud and fraud prevention.
- Identify key elements of anti-fraud program
Instructor: Linda M. Gilligan
Course Length: 2 Hours
Cost: Individuals: $124.99; Groups of 4 or more: $89.99 per person