Logo: Leadership Institute at Purdue Northwest
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Leadership Northwest Indiana

Become a Better Leader

Professional Certificate

Explore evidenced-based learning experiences that will strengthen your leadership skills and give you strategies to be a better leader in your career, in your community and in your personal life.

The Leadership Northwest Indiana program is well-regarded as a great place for you to build your professional networks as you learn from the real-world challenges your colleagues bring to our discussions.

Our sessions are led by leadership experts from both the academic and business world, giving you the latest research-based leadership content and the most current skills to add to your tool kit.

The benefits of the LNI program are cross-sectional. They can be applied across many different industries and sectors, business models, positions and career stages.

The program is especially suited to:

  • Mid-level managers and developing management professionals
  • Star contributors and high potential employees who have been identified as outstanding prospects for increased leadership responsibilities
  • Professionals with an interest in personal development aiming to become a more effective leader
  • Executives and managers seeking to become a more charismatic and authentic leader

LNI Program Details

Location

Choose Your Cohort

  1. White Lodging School for Hospitality and Tourism Management, 2300 173rd Street, Hammond, IN 46323
  2. Dworkin Center, 1401 S. U.S. 421 Westville, IN 46391

 

Dates

Sept. 2024 to May 2025 (Eight sessions once a month)

 

Format

In-person

 

Investment

$2,550

 

A man in business casual clothing smiles in a restaurant

 

Explore the Curriculum

Our 2024-2025 Leadership Northwest Indiana (LNI) program will include eight in-person sessions of instruction and activities, a 360-leadership assessment, custom one-on-one coaching, and a certificate upon completion from Purdue Northwest.

 

Business professionals in a conference room

Leading Collaboration & Change

This unit lays the foundation of understanding leadership and the impactful situations in which leadership is often the most needed. All leaders must drive effective change as change agents, be adaptive, and foster collaboration within various groups.

This unit explores the leadership challenges that are unique to team-based situations and in times of organizational change.

  • Session 1: Introduction to leadership
  • Session 2: Leading high-performing teams
  • Session 3: Leading change & adaptive leadership

A lion statue on PNW's Westville campus

Understanding Leadership Identity & Behaviors

The second unit dives deep into the concepts of leader identity and various leadership styles.

Participants will reflect on the strength of their leadership identity, identify their personal values that guide their leadership, and determine action steps for strengthening various leadership behaviors.

  • Session 4: Charismatic & Transformational Leadership
  • Session 5: Authentic & Daring Leadership

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Fostering A Winning Culture

An organization is only as good as its culture – and building that culture is the job of every leader. In this final unit, we focus on how leaders can make their organizations a more supportive and engaging place to work by understanding emotions, stress, diversity, and inclusion.

Participants will also end the program by identifying critical moments in their leadership development and explore how they practice leadership at work, at home, and in the community.

  • Session 6: Managing Emotions & Stress
  • Session 7: Diversity & Inclusion at Work
  • Session 8: Multi-Domain Leadership
Graduates of the 2023-24 Leadership Northwest Indiana cohort pose together.

A Program for You

Leadership Northwest Indiana is for leaders across family, career and community.

Whether you’re a seasoned executive, emerging into a leadership role or don’t even consider yourself a leader yet, our Leadership Northwest Indiana program will help you build the most valued skill sets for both business and personal success.

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Instructors

Jane Thomas

Jane Thomas, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Human Resource Management and Organizational Behavior

Jane Thomas is an assistant professor of human resource management and organizational behavior in the College of Business. Her research focuses on relationships, teams and emotions in the workplace.

Mekisha Richardson

Mekisha Richardson, M.Ed.

Director of Professional Education, The Leadership Institute

Mekisha Richardson focused on the development and implementation of youth leadership programs and works with the local business community as a resource for leadership development, one-on-one leadership coaching and customized professional development workshops.

Rachel Clapp Smith

Rachel Clapp-Smith, Ph.D.

Teddy Jacobi Dean of the College of Business

Rachel Clapp-Smith is the Teddy Jacobi Dean of Purdue University Northwest’s College of Business and the academic director for the Leadership Institute.


Program Schedule

SessionDateLocation
1September 27, 2024White Lodging School for Hospitality and Tourism Management

2300 173rd Street, Hammond, IN 46323
2October 18, 2024White Lodging School for Hospitality and Tourism Management

2300 173rd Street, Hammond, IN 46323
3November 22, 2024White Lodging School for Hospitality and Tourism Management

2300 173rd Street, Hammond, IN 46323
4January 24, 2025White Lodging School for Hospitality and Tourism Management

2300 173rd Street, Hammond, IN 46323
5February 21, 2025White Lodging School for Hospitality and Tourism Management

2300 173rd Street, Hammond, IN 46323
6March 28, 2025White Lodging School for Hospitality and Tourism Management

2300 173rd Street, Hammond, IN 46323
7April 18, 2025White Lodging School for Hospitality and Tourism Management

2300 173rd Street, Hammond, IN 46323
8May 23, 2025White Lodging School for Hospitality and Tourism Management

2300 173rd Street, Hammond, IN 46323
SessionDateLocation
1September 5, 2024Dworkin Center

1401 S. U.S. 421 Westville, IN 46391
2October 10, 2024Dworkin Center

1401 S. U.S. 421 Westville, IN 46391
3November 7, 2024Dworkin Center

1401 S. U.S. 421 Westville, IN 46391
4January 9, 2025Dworkin Center

1401 S. U.S. 421 Westville, IN 46391
5February 6, 2025Dworkin Center

1401 S. U.S. 421 Westville, IN 46391
6March 6, 2025Dworkin Center

1401 S. U.S. 421 Westville, IN 46391
7April 3, 2025Dworkin Center

1401 S. U.S. 421 Westville, IN 46391
8May 8, 2025Dworkin Center

1401 S. U.S. 421 Westville, IN 46391