GCCC LAUNCHING "THE EDGE" WITH NEW SET OF MANAGEMENT CLASSES

American Management Association courses first in series of innovative learning opportunities

Garden City Community College is launching an innovative new series of learning opportunities with a set of short-term courses for people who want to polish their skills in management, beginning with a workplace supervision class that will get under way Feb. 13.

Scheduled at times convenient to working professionals, the courses are being offered through The Edge. "Edge" stands for "Educating, Developing and Growing Employees."

The GCCC Business and Information Systems Division is conducting the classes, which the college is providing in cooperation with the American Management Association Certificate Program.

The initial class, First Line Supervision, will meet eight times — Feb. 13, 15, 20, 22 and 27, March 1, 6 and 8 - with the option of attending either 7 to 9 a.m. or 6 to 8 p.m. GCCC Instructor Renee Harbin will teach the morning class, with additional qualified personnel handling the evening section.

Completion of six AMA courses qualifies an individual to earn a certificate in management, awarded by GCCC in cooperation with AMA.

The initial class will be followed between March 13 and July 26 with five others:

• A Manager's Guide to Human Behavior
• Communication Skills for Managers
• What Managers Do
• How to Read and Interpret Financial Statements
• Fair, Square and Legal.

AMA is a primary U.S. management training organization, and the GCCC courses are based on AMA-developed guidelines and curriculum. In addition to certification, the courses provide college credit.

The cost is $125 per person for each course, including textbook. Registration and information are available from the GCCC Admissions Office at the Student and Community Services Center. Harbin is also available to answer questions at 620-276-9586.

ALL ABOUT THE EDGE

"The AMA Certificate Program is well established and recognized by successful members of the U.S. business and education communities," said Kevin Brungardt, associate dean of general education. "Meanwhile, The Edge is an exciting new endeavor that we've created right here at GCCC to make our learning opportunities in business and other fields more accessible to people throughout Southwest Kansas."

"To say this is on the cutting edge is a literal and accurate statement," he added, "particularly in terms of packaging the learning services that we offer in new ways that better meet the needs of working professionals, of business owners and operators, and of others."

The objective of the AMA course series is to help local and area residents develop and refine management skills and techniques as they become stronger and more effective managers, Brungardt explained. "Meanwhile, the goal of The Edge is to provide a flexible response to meet the changing needs faced by employees and employers in improving business practices, customer service and profit margins."

He said The Edge would also be introducing additional learning opportunities in the months ahead. Brungardt is available at 620-276-9587.