Photo: a scene from Continuing Education class.

Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) is pleased to announce a new Continuing Education certificate program in Leadership Skills Training, starting from fall semester 2015. The new program will train students from various professional backgrounds who wish to develop and cultivate their leadership skills in their organizations and communities, profit or non-profit.

“Some of the students who come to our program are already in positions where they are able to introduce new ideas and implement changes that lead to the betterment of their organizations. Others, however, are not aware of their abilities to lead or lack confidence in leading others, or want to but don’t know how. We at Continuing Education want to help these people,” says program Director Eugenia Medrano. She believes in students’ innate ability to lead and is convinced that “the world becomes a better place with leaders like them.”

Students can earn the certificate by completing the required courses — four core courses and electives with a combination of seminars and workshops. Students can apply for courses with a 15% early-bird discount from now (July 15) until August 17.

To learn more about how this certificate came to be, read the full transcript of director’s interview below:

Why did you create this certificate?

Photo: Eugenia A. Medrano Director, Continuing Education
Eugenia A. Medrano
Director, Continuing Education

Students who come to our Continuing Education program want to improve their skills and knowledge for the advancement of their careers. They come from various professional backgrounds (business, law, HR, communications, education, nonprofits, etc.). Some are already in positions where they are able to introduce new ideas and implement changes that lead to the betterment of their organizations. Others, however, are not aware of their abilities to lead or lack confidence in leading others, or want to but don’t know how. Or, culturally, they believe it is not their position to become leaders, but to simply follow and support others. We at Continuing Education want to help these people.

Recognizing the potential in these motivated learners, we wanted to develop and cultivate leadership traits in them by 1) changing their mindset — assuring them that they, too, can be leaders, and 2) providing them with the know-how through courses and workshops they take to earn the certificate in Leadership Skills Training. We also feel these are the same people who can, in turn, empower others to make improvements in the workplace or the society we live in. This certificate program is, therefore, applicable not only to business-minded people, but to anyone who wants to make a difference in their communities and organizations (profit or non-profit).

What do you want students to learn through this certificate program?

Students who finish this certificate program should gain enough confidence, skills, and knowledge to be effective leaders in their communities and organizations. We want them to have a clear understanding of right and wrong, which will help them become better problem solvers and decision makers. We want them to recognize situations where doing the right thing can make a difference for the better. We want them to be good communicators who will help people around them clearly understand why a certain value or concept is important for their organization or community. And we want to equip them with the tools to lead, empower and inspire. We want them to be innovative, creative, positive and effective leaders in their organizations and communities.