Governors State University School of Extended Learning

08/31/2026

Build Skills. Build Confidence. Build Your Future.

The Jaguar Jumps Specialized Mental Health & Wellness Series for Neurodivergent Success is a FREE, grant-funded opportunity for Will County residents with disabilities, ages 17+, who are transitioning into higher education and/or the workforce.

Participants will take part in weekly cohort sessions and earn six stackable Mental Health Micro-Credentials focused on:

* Social-emotional resilience
* Mindfulness
* Self-determination and personal agency
* Social connection
* Executive functioning and career readiness
* Self-advocacy and community navigation

This program is designed to help participants build confidence, independence, and skills for success in college, work, and everyday life.

Sessions start September 16, don’t delay! Apply here: https://tinyurl.com/3na4hs98

This program is funded by the Will County Community Mental Health Board.

08/27/2026

GovState is proud to support registered apprenticeships that connect education, employers, and individuals to meaningful career opportunities. In this podcast, Craig Schmidt of GovState had the opportunity to speak with an Apprentice Ambassador about their experience, the value of apprenticeship, and how earn-and-learn opportunities can create pathways to long-term career success.

Apprenticeship Illinois

Ashley Sosa has never been afraid of hard work. Transitioning from the non-profit world to corporate, Ashley started a full-time apprenticeship at Allstate—all while being a full-time student.

Speaking with Craig Schmidt, the Assistant Vice President in the Governors State University School of Extended Learning and the co-chair of the Apprentice Ambassador workgroup, Ashley details her path to apprenticeship, her plans for the future, and how she advocates for apprenticeships in her community. Now streaming on The Apprentice Perspective: https://ow.ly/hss150ZFVH1

| Governors State University

08/27/2026

Step Into Leadership with Confidence!

Ready to strengthen your leadership skills and prepare for your next supervisory role? Introduction to Leadership delivers practical strategies you can put to work right away. Topics include communication and conflict resolution, team motivation, trust-building, interviewing, documentation, and navigating key labor laws.

Learn how to lead with confidence while fostering a more inclusive, equitable workplace.

September 8 - October 6
Tuesdays | 6 - 9 p.m.
$299

Don’t wait to invest in your leadership future.
Register today and take the next step toward becoming a stronger, more effective leader.
https://tinyurl.com/2r7e94dc

08/25/2026

Prepare for a Career in Early Intervention

Starting September 24, this 100% online course is designed for occupational therapists, OTAs, new graduates, and early-career professionals interested in the Illinois Early Intervention (EI) Program.

Learn about:
• Illinois EI credentialing requirements
• OT’s role and value in EI
• Best practices for EI assessment and intervention
• Career planning and real-world application

The course includes 10 learning modules, live and asynchronous sessions, networking, and mentorship opportunities.

Earn a certificate and digital badge upon completion. EI continuing education units are also available.

Course starts September 24. For all details and to register: https://tinyurl.com/EI-September

08/21/2026

Achieve Your Degree Faster
Credit for Prior Learning Can Help!

Your work experience, training, military service, community involvement, and life experiences have value, and they may be worth college credit!
Join our upcoming FREE Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) information session to learn how your knowledge and experience can be evaluated for credit toward your degree.

Put your experience to work toward your education!

September 24
6 p.m.
Online via TEAMS (link will be sent after registration)
Sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/CPLInfoSession

General CPL program: https://www.govst.edu/credit-prior-learning

08/19/2026

Employers - Connect with Future Community Health Workers

GovState students are preparing to become certified Community Health Workers (CHWs) and are seeking employers to provide work-based learning opportunities as they complete their apprenticeships. Join us for an information session to learn more about partnering with the CHW Apprenticeship Program.

Discover how CHWs and apprentices can support patient navigation, advance health equity, and expand outreach related to social determinants of health (SDOH) in underserved communities.

Information Session Details:
Thursday, August 26
10 a.m.
Topic: CHW Apprenticeship Program Partnerships, Employer Benefits & Student Pathways

Microsoft Teams meeting
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/214204068618260?p=p0PD0PSOI0Ats5GcTM
Meeting ID: 214 204 068 618 260
Passcode: 9AK22y4s

Learn how your organization can help prepare the next generation of CHWs while strengthening community health outcomes.

08/18/2026

🚨 Classes start next week, but it's not too late to enroll!

GovState's NEW Micro-Credentials offer a flexible way to build valuable skills and stand out in today's workforce.

✔️ Available for credit or non-credit
✔️ Designed for busy professionals
✔️ Learn practical skills in leadership, communication, management, public service, and more
✔️ Taught by experienced GovState faculty

Whether you're advancing in your current role or preparing for a new opportunity, there's a Micro-Credential for you.

Enroll today: https://tinyurl.com/4hcut4t5

08/16/2026

Build Your Public Administration Expertise

Expand your skills in leadership, technology, and human resources with GovState’s Public Administration Micro-Credentials.
Choose from three online, asynchronous courses:

• Ethics & Leadership in Public Administration (PADM 8200) – Develop ethical decision-making and leadership skills for government and nonprofit organizations.

• Data, Information & Technology in Public Administration (PADM 6700) – Learn to use data and technology to address public-sector challenges and support digital transformation.

• Public Human Resource Administration (PADM 7300) – Explore HR management, staffing, compensation, employee development, and labor relations in government.

$875 per course
August 31–December 13

Micro-credential students learn alongside degree-seeking students and may apply their earned micro-credential toward academic credit if they later enroll in a GovState degree program.

For course details and to register, visit: https://tinyurl.com/PublicAdmininstration

08/14/2026

K9 Day at STEAM Camp! 🐾

Our campers had some very special four-legged visitors! From meeting the K9s and their handlers to learning about their important work, it was a paws-itively fun day of learning, discovery, and STEAM!

08/13/2026

⏰ The countdown is on - Classes start in 2 weeks! ⏰

GovState's NEW Micro-Credentials!

Flexible. Focused. Built for Today's Professionals.

Whether you're looking to sharpen your skills, earn a new credential, or prepare for your next career move, GovState's Micro-Credentials make professional growth more accessible than ever.

Choose credit or non-credit options and gain practical, in-demand skills in leadership, communication, management, public service, and more through focused courses taught by GovState faculty.

Invest in your future - one credential at a time.

Now enrolling! Learn more and register: https://tinyurl.com/4hcut4t5