Catalog & Student Handbook 2008-2009
Rensselaer Centers for Professional Development
Director: Elliot B. Field
Rensselaer's Centers for Professional Development (RCPD) is a department of Rensselear Polytechnic Institute focused on providing opportunities for professionals to enhance their knowledge and skills without enrolling in a credit-based academic program. Its mission is to develop superior short programs that address the interface between technical skills, management, and leadership. Courses are offered in the areas of Leadership and Executive Development and include leading in knowledge environments, Computer and Information Technology with a focus on new or creative ways to address old problems, and Technical and Professional Development. RCPD provides an effective means for professionals to understand and make use of new knowledge and information to support themselves and the growth of their organization.
RCPD has two significant partners: the Connecticut Quality Council and the Center for Creative Leadership. The Connecticut Quality Council (CQC) has been affiliated with Rensselaer for over fifteen years and provides the opportunity to integrate knowledge and experience from an active network of organizations at the leading edge of quality implementation. The Center for Creative Leadership is an internationally renowned organizaton that provides leadership training and is consistently ranked as one of the best in the world.
Many professional development programs are offered in a published open calendar. Anyone may sign up and take these programs. RCPD can also provide customized courses for any organization designed specifically to meet the needs of that organization. A unique advantage of RCPD is the ability to combine components from our various different content offerings and build integrated programs for clients.
Content Areas
Leadership and Executive Development
RCPD offers leadership programs that are designed to provide the most effective enhancement of
leadership skills possible. Rensselaer is part of the Center for Creative Leadership's international
network of organizations delivering the Leadership Development Program (LDP)® and the Foundations
of Leadership (FOL) program. RCPD also uses its background and experience to offer
programs in coaching and leadership specifically designed
for challenges faced by technical managers.
Computer and Information Technology
RCPD has both the faculty and facilities to deliver state-of-the-art computer training. Programs focus
on a broad range of IT subjects and skill areas with special focus on critical IT management
areas. The educational experience involves immediate and direct
application of learning in our computer labs.
Technical and Professional Development
RCPD offers a suite of workshops designed to help technical professionals
and executives improve their effectiveness in the work environment. These courses tend
to be skills-based with a specific objective as the focus. We also offer support
to engineers who are interested in receiving the designation Professional Engineer by
providing preparatory courses for the Fundamentals in Engineering examination; the
Professional Engineering examinations in mechanical, civil, and electrical
engineering and the Land Surveyor examination.
Corporate Training Solutions
Today's organizations need to be "learning organizations".
One part of this process is to ensure that the organization's employees have the skills
they need to
communicate effectively and the values that are critical to the organization. RCPD is able to provide
solutions designed specifically for your organizational needs that can integrate the content from any
of the areas described above. We also have considerable experience
with technical and professional organizations. We
work cooperatively with client organizations to complete a needs assessment, design programs specific to
those needs, staff and deliver those programs, and evaluate their effectiveness in meeting the stated learning
objectives. RCPD can serve as your organization's partner to deliver high-caliber training.
Connecticut Quality Council
Executive Director: Gary E. Rosentreter
Home Page: www.ctqualitycouncil.org
The Connecticut Quality Council (CQC) is a coalition of business, government, education, and labor that promotes the philosophy and principles of Total Quality and Continuous Improvement as a sound business operating strategy for all organizations. In the fall of 1990, Rensselaer, as the only representative from the educational community, joined with twenty-seven business leaders in the founding of CQC.
CQC's membership and diversity (in both size and industry) continually increase thereby enhancing the opportunities to benefit from the "stars and scars" of peers and competitors alike. Membership is organizational rather than individual in recognition of the need to involve the entire organization-people, culture, change--in the effort to focus on continuous improvement in services, processes and/or products that satisfy customer needs.
CQC has become a respected and valued resource for high-caliber, Total Quality education and training (both experiential and traditional) as well as for professional networking and information sharing with fellow practitioners.
The mission, vision, and goals of Rensselaer and CQC are complementary. Both organizations strive to work for a fully developed coalition of business, government, labor, education, and community.
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