The Illinois Supervisory Skills Program provides new and recent supervisors opportunities to develop self-awareness of management styles and personal biases, to practice strategies for resolving conflict, and to build confidence in leading others through performance feedback and coaching techniques. Selected participants will learn and challenge each other throughout the semester as they engage with a cohort of peers from other units, motivating each other to create healthy, productive work environments.
This semester-long program offers a blended learning design. Selected applicants complete this five in-person session series as a cohort as well as two required Zoom sessions. Expected time commitment is 8 – 10 hours per month.
Applications must be made by October 27, 2025.
The cost per participant is $250. Program details, eligibility criteria and the application instructions are all available at: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/1545918359
The Spring 2026 sessions will run from January 15, 2026 through May 7, 2026, according to this schedule:
Kickoff and Program Orientation, Thursday, January 15; 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Zoom)
Session 1 – Core Functions of Supervision, Thursday, January 29; 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (in-person, I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center)
Session 2 – Leading in a Diverse Workplace, Thursday, February 19; 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (in-person, I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center)
Session 3 – Conflict Resolution and Problem Solving, Thursday, March 12; 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (in-person, I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center)
Session 4 –Performance Feedback, Thursday, April 9; 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (in-person, I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center)
Session 5 – Effective Coaching Strategies for Empowering Employees, Thursday, April 30; 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (in-person, I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center)
Program Wrap-Up and Action Planning, Thursday, May 7; 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Zoom)
Program Cost
A one-time registration fee of $250 is required. Participants in the program will receive the following:
Five sessions led by skilled facilitators; participant manual with activities corresponding to each session; Everything DiSC Profile self-assessment and individualized report; and additional training materials.