Women in Leadership I

In-Person
Certificate

A certificate designed for women who seek the skills to be effective leaders and any business leaders committed to helping women be successful in leadership roles. With an emphasis on communication and leadership development, you will transform your career through Utah’s Women in Leadership I Certificate. You will walk away from this program with the expertise, credibility, and confidence needed to make the most out of your career and the careers of those you mentor and support. You will not just gain insights into better leading your organization; you will explore current research and discuss innovative, researched-backed solutions you can immediately implement.

Throughout the seven cohort-based classes, you will engage with your colleagues through a combination of lecture-based presentations and interactive discussions, all under the guidance of top faculty from the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business. You will expand your network with prominent business leaders and truly have an opportunity to engage, share ideas, and connect.

Participants must complete an application to be considered for this program.

The Learning Model

In this program, you will utilize our ACT model to turn classroom concepts into actionable insights and real-world results.

Assess

Start with a 360° assessment to gain a better understanding of your personal strengths and areas of improvement. Identify key challenges you are facing and how you can impact your organization.

Collaborate

Learn from Eccles School professors who are experts in their field and network with your peers, who are leaders and trailblazers across various industries, to grow your skills and network.

Transform

Drive change in your organization while inspiring others to do the same. Through action-based takeaways, you will immediately begin to make an impact.

The Classes

Jennifer Cummings Ph.D. Presented By:
Jennifer Cummings, Ph.D.

Having emotional intelligence isn’t just advantageous – it’s essential to successfully leading a team. In this class, you will learn how to use emotional intelligence to communicate and relate to others. You will learn the fundamentals of managing your mind and emotions – enabling you to motivate, inspire, and empower yourself and the people around you.

Katie Liljenquist PhD Presented By:
Katie Liljenquist, Ph.D.

We have experienced a significant social change in recent decades, but gender stereotypes have remained remarkably constant, especially at the negotiation table. This course is an opportunity for you to question the status quo, examine what you truly want, identify obstacles that have been in your way, and learn how to create the conditions for your success.

Jennifer Cummings Ph.D. Presented By:
Jennifer Cummings, Ph.D.

Being assertive is an essential skill, but being aggressive can ruin your relationships and your reputation. So, why is being assertive sometimes perceived as being aggressive? Understanding the difference is key to confidently operating and leading within any organization. In the this class, we will explore how to thread this critical needle and what it can do for your career..

Jennifer Cummings Ph.D. Presented By:
Jennifer Cummings, Ph.D.

Whether you work in a small organization or a fortune 500 company, conflict is inevitable – how you handle conflict is what makes the difference. Conflict does not have to be a crisis, and your chance of successfully navigating conflict greatly improves when you recognize your personal conflict style. In this class, we will explore different conflict styles and how you can leverage your unique conflict style for success and expand your conflict style repertoire to help you respond appropriately in a variety of challenging situations. We will also give you tools to recognize the conflict style of others so you can better understand where they are coming from.

Heidi Herrick PhD Presented By:
Heidi Herrick, Ph.D.

This class is offered in partnership with the Goff Strategic Leadership Center. You will explore strategies to become a more effective leader by focusing on who you are and how you work with others. You will leave this course with the next steps in your path to becoming a strategic leader.

Georgi Rausch Presented By:
Georgi Rausch Ph.D.

Interpersonal communication skills and emotional intelligence are critical components to gaining success as a leader. In our 2 half-day classes, participants will improve their interpersonal communication skills by using mindfulness strategies to work through various challenging workplace interactions.

Kathryn A Canas, Ph.D. Presented By:
Kathryn Cañas, Ph.D.

Communication excellence is an essential leadership tool. Leaders must communicate their organization’s mission, vision, and values as they ascend within their organization. In this writing-based course, find your authentic voice as a leader and craft your leadership narrative, as well as your organization’s leadership narrative.

Kathryn A Canas, Ph.D. Presented By:
Kathryn Cañas, Ph.D.

Public speaking is an opportunity and platform from which leaders can express their emotional intelligence. It becomes a strategic position from which a leader can deliver their message with effectiveness and confidence. In this course, you will become a more persuasive and confident speaker who creates a powerful, emotional audience connection.

Please note that Women in Leadership I classes are only available as part of the certificate program.

The Experience

Coursework

Pre-Work and Post-Work

In addition to live lectures, you will participate in pre-work and post-work, including lectures, activities, readings, and self-reflection. You can expect two hours of pre-work for each day of class, as well as post-work that ties into your next course.

Networking

Networking

In addition to in-class networking opportunities with your colleagues, you will participate in social engagements to connect and grow your network.

Workbook

Program Workbook

You will receive a program workbook to guide you through course activities, as well as take note of those ‘ah-ha’ moments you will take away from the courses and your colleagues.

The Impact

The University of Utah Women in Leadership I Certificate provides opportunities for you to grow as a leader and impact your organization.

Personal Impact

  • Learn tools and techniques to lead through change, hardship, or unexpected situations
  • Develop a well-rounded portfolio of leadership skills
  • Expand your professional network
  • Strengthen confidence in yourself and your abilities

Organizational Impact

  • Increase productivity and efficiency in the workplace
  • Develop a strategic plan that aligns with the company’s mission, vision, and values
  • Invest in growing leaders
  • Inspire others to make an impact in your organization

The Details

All Women in Leadership I Certificate classes will be taught within a cohort. When you apply, you commit to the dates within the cohort.

Class Dates

All classes are in person, with additional pre-class and post-class learning activities online. Classes are from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. M.T.

Spring 2025 Cohort 1

  • February 20

  • March 6

  • March 20

  • April 3

  • April 10

  • April 24

  • May 8

Spring 2025 Cohort 2

  • February 21

  • March 7

  • March 21

  • April 4

  • April 11

  • April 25

  • May 9

Fall 2025 Cohort 1

  • September 11

  • September 25

  • October 9

  • October 23

  • November 6

  • November 20

  • December 4

Fall 2025 Cohort 2

  • September 12

  • September 26

  • October 10

  • October 24

  • November 7

  • November 21

  • December 5

Certificate Price

The price of the program is $7,500: This includes classes, learning activities, and a workbook.
Scholarship opportunities are available. Many participants may also receive support from their employer.

Ready to take the next step?
Apply now, spots fill up fast.

Is this certificate right for me?

The Women in Leadership I Certificate is designed to support women pursuing leadership development, but it is open to students of any gender identity and anyone who wants to become a better ally for women.

You need this program if:

  • You are looking to better understand gender dynamics in the workplace and gain different perspectives

  • You are a leader who wants to support equity and equality in the workplace
  • You aspire to management roles or are a leader coaching others
  • You are currently in mid-level or senior leadership

  • You wish to reenter the workforce

  • You need to develop your conflict management, communication, emotional intelligence, negotiations, or mentorship skills to take the next step in your career

If you’re unsure if this certificate is right for you, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Executive Education team at (801) 587-7273 or by email at ExecEd@Utah.edu.

What is the return on investment?

Gain research-backed skills and strategies that can be implemented immediately at your organization

Expand your professional network

Discuss issues facing business leaders and explore innovative solutions recommended by others in leadership..

Strengthen your confidence and build credibility

Proof of accomplishment

In addition to developing knowledge, skills, and a professional network; You will receive a certificate, a digital badge of completion to add to your LinkedIn profile, and SHRM credits as proof of your accomplishment.

Certificate

Certificate

Executive Education Women in Leadership I Certificate

LinkedIn Badge

SHRM Recertification Provider | SHRM-CP | SHRM-SCP

42 SHRM Credits

Eccles Executive Education is recognized by SHRM to offer SHRM-CP or SHRMSCP professional development credits (PDCs). This program is valid for 42 PDCs. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit SHRMCertification.org.

Looking for more information?

Partners

1 800 contacts
All West Communications
Instructure
Priority Dispatch
Usana