Weekend Workshops & Open Courses

Skill Development Workshop: Excel Basics  

This workshop is for students whose proficiency in Microsoft Office does not include fundamental Excel skills. Excel is the software tool that is essential in the business arena and every student should have at least a basic understanding of the program.

• Friday, Sept. 26 | 6-9:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 27 | 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 3 | 6-9:30 p.m.

Leadership Workshop: Stronger Together, Leading with Compassion in Times of Crisis  

In moments of crisis, the right support can make all the difference. This workshop equips you with the skills to recognize signs of mental distress, including suicidal ideation and mental illness, particularly in children and veterans. Learn how to respond with empathy, promote resilience and lead with confidence in difficult situations. Whether you're a leader, mentor or caregiver, this session empowers you to be a source of strength and hope when it matters most.

• Friday, Sept. 26 | 6-9:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 27 | 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 3 | 6-9:30 p.m.

Leadership Workshop: Lead with Impact, Mastering Presentation Skills & Tools  

Unlock the power of confident communication in this engaging workshop! Learn how to craft compelling stories, captivate your audience and elevate your presentations using tools like Canva, PowerPoint and Prezi. Whether you're pitching an idea, leading a meeting or inspiring a team, this session will equip you with the skills to speak with confidence and leave a lasting impression. Step up, stand out and lead with impact!

• Friday, Nov. 7 | 6-9:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 8 | 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 14 | 6-9:30 p.m. 

Leadership Workshop: Leadership & Storytelling 

In this seminar, students will explore the significance of storytelling in leadership contexts and understand how storytelling can serve as a map to help people understand the values and goals of an organization, as well as being a tool to motivate, inspire, build trust and establish a clear direction for teams, groups and organizations.

• Friday, Nov. 7 | 6-9:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 8 | 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 14 | 6-9:30 p.m. 

Introduction to Brewing – Science, History and Ethics of Beer 

This course uses a three-pronged approach involving science, history and social ethics: 1) Introduce students to the science of fermentation, specifically in the context of brewing beer, as well as the physiology of alcohol consumption in humans, 2) Offer students a historical perspective on fermentation in human civilization, as well as a history of brewing in the U.S., 3) Challenge students to consider the social and ethical implications behind the influence of beer on human cultures as well as the complexities of alcohol addiction in our society.

• Tuesdays | 6-10 p.m.
• On campus

Applied Cross-Cultural Communication  

Explores the importance of competent communication in the international arena. Study of how elements such as ritual, status, symbolism, concepts of time and use of space create our world view. This course will provide opportunities for students to enhance both professional and interpersonal skills in the area of communicating effectively across cultures. The intent is to broaden cultural awareness and enhance multicultural literacy as applied in nonacademic settings.

• Wednesdays | 6-10 p.m.
• Online via Teams

The Helping Process in Social Services  

Learn to use core concepts, values and skills for helping people in social-service settings. Become familiar with interviewing, assessing and behaving professionally in these settings. A Christian view of the helping process will be integrated with the skills and knowledge base.

• Tuesdays | 6-10 p.m.
• On campus (Hawthorne Hall) or online via Teams 

Ethics in Public Service  

Examining the role, values and issues of management in social service and public agencies in the context of democratic governance, citizen participation, power structures and professional codes of conduct, with an emphasis on developing skill in critical and ethical reasoning and decision making.

• Tuesdays | 6-10 p.m.
• On campus (Hawthorne Hall) or online via Teams 

World Religions  

A study of the primary non-Christian religions of the world, with special emphasis on the beliefs and practices of those religions.

• Thursdays | 6-10 p.m.
• On campus (Hawthorne Hall) or online via Teams

Lean Management and Six Sigma Yellow Belt

For continuing studies students only. This course explores streamlining business processes through the application of quality management and Six Sigma principles to create globally competitive business entities. The course takes concepts beyond the factory floor to service and retail environments; it is designed for anyone who is interested in a career in management of either a for-profit or not-for-profit entity. At the conclusion of this course students will be prepared to take the Six Sigma Yellow Belt exam.

• Tuesdays | 6-10 p.m.
• Online via Teams

Ethics in Management 

This course will raise foundational issues in connection with ethical values and will apply those values in the context of organizations. Ethical principles and the process of applying those principles will be addressed, integrating Christian principles with standard ethical inquiry.

• Wednesdays | 6-10 p.m.
• Online via Teams

Group Dynamics 

A focus on group behavior and on how group functioning affects organizational effectiveness. Emphasis on effective group processes for role clarification, decision-making, problem-solving, conflict resolution and group communications. Students develop communication strategies and application of concepts through completion of a small-group project.

• Tuesdays | 6-10 p.m.
• On campus (Hawthorne Hall) or online via Teams

Studies in American Literature 

Read and analyze a variety of American literary texts, including novels, written by a set of authors representing different times, places, perspectives, and experiences of American life and culture. Students will develop higher-level research skills while conducting research on course authors, and they will write about and respond to course authors and texts. Course includes the composition of a long analytical essay.

• Thursdays | 6-10 p.m.
• On campus (Hawthorne Hall) or online via Teams

Introduction to Public Service Leadership 

This course will be an introduction to the study of leadership with a focus on public service entities. Additional topics covered will be types of entities (non-profit, NGO, governments, neighborhood associations), organizational behavior, sustainability and community development.

• Wednesdays | 6-10 p.m.
• On campus (Hawthorne Hall) or online via Teams

Personality & Individual Differences 

This course explores historical and current perspectives on the nature of human personality, including personality development, assessment and change. Other important dimensions along which humans can vary, such as gender, culture, intellectual ability and genetic/biochemical composition are also considered.

• Tuesdays | 6-10 p.m.
• On campus (Hawthorne Hall) or online via Teams

Strategic Management 

This course examines the nature of competition and competitive advantage that are the foundations of business strategy. Theories and frameworks to support the analysis and formulation of successful business strategies are reviewed and applied to a broad range of industries and firms.

• Wednesdays | 6-10 p.m.
• Online via Teams

Elementary Probability & Statistics 

Descriptive statistics, probability, probability distributions, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, correlation and regression.

• Mondays & Thursdays | 6-10 p.m.
• On campus (Hawthorne Hall) or online via Teams

Psychopathology

Study of behavior categorized as mental illness or mental disorder. Introduction to the DSM-IV and treatment. Pertinent issues in genetic and neurochemical factors, family interactions, and other social relationships examined.

• Tuesdays | 6-10 p.m.
• On campus (Hawthorne Hall) or online via Teams

Families and Society 

Family, kinship and marriage in societal context. Human families in their many forms are examined cross-culturally and historically; primary emphasis is upon the changing shape and character of American families today. Impact of class, race and values on family life is explored. Special focus is on parent-child relations and the problems of children in American families.

• Tuesdays | 6-10 p.m.
• On campus (Hawthorne Hall) or online via Teams

New Testament 

The content and theology of the New Testament in light of its literary, historical and religious background, with a view to gaining a good working knowledge of the New Testament. Special focus on Jesus Christ, the gospel and the Christian life.

• Mondays | 6-10 p.m.
• On campus (Hawthorne Hall) or online via Teams