Managers at OSU

Whether you are new to a management role and need a broad introduction to the art of leadership, or are a seasoned leader in need of a refresher on leading a team, the Management Leadership Institute (MLI) may be right for you.

Series Information

MLI is developed to support those currently serving in management positions with supervisory responsibilities and includes 10, in-person and virtual sessions and three, one-hour, 1:1 virtual coaching visits. Each session is highly interactive and collaborative allowing participants to share and discuss experiences and issues related to the topics.

Topics include:

1. March 11, 9 a.m.-noon: Making the Turn
2. April 8, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m.: Bringing Your Best Self to the TeamVIRTUAL
3. May 6, 9 a.m.-noon: Team Branding
4. June 10, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m.: Developing Others/The Skill Conversation VIRTUAL
5. July 8, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m.: Thoughtful Resiliency VIRTUAL
6. Aug. 12, 9 a.m.-noon: Fueling Engagement
7. Sept. 9, 9 a.m.-noon: Conflict Resolution Strategies for Leaders
8. Oct. 7, 9 a.m.-noon: Lead Your Team through Change
9. Nov. 4, 9 a.m.-noon: Strategic Agility & Taking Intentional Risk
10. Dec. 9, 9 a.m.-noon: Innovation: From Concept to Action

Series facilitator: Dondi Scumaci

Dondi Scumaci is an International Performance Consultant and author – an expert in leadership development, professional development, performance management and world class service. With Dondi at the helm, course design is current, relevant and full of energy. She designs content that offers participants opportunities to practice and reinforce new skills, while quickly increasing comfort levels.

• Dondi is the author of three published books on career management.
• She is a presenting powerhouse and has been around the world (several times) to share her unique insights.
• Dondi is the author of Mentoring in-a-box, a self-guided tool designed to engage mentoring partnerships. She is known as a Mentoring Thought Leader.
• Over the past nine years, Dondi has helped thousands of UPS’ers around the world create mentoring communities and peer-to-peer partnerships. These programs are designed to guide, strategize, help participants diagnose gaps, practice new skills and attain measurable successes. UPS uses Mentoring in-a-box and the Peer-to-Peer Program products (written by Dondi) with handbooks full of best practices, activities, rapport builders and diagnostic checks.

Participants must be able to attend nine of the ten sessions and three, one-hour virtual coaching sessions.

Application Process

Applications are due Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. Space is limited and not all applicants are accepted into the series. Chosen participants will be notified by email no later than Feb. 20. As outlined above, the program will begin on March 11.

For more information, please contact osu-trng@okstate.edu.

2026 APPLICATION: CLICK HERE