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The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) School of Leadership has launched an innovative new program to develop leadership skills for the blue economy. The Blue Economy Leadership Certificate (BELC) is designed for leaders and high-potential employees in organizations tied to the blue economy along the Gulf Coast.
The innovative program is free to participants, thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.
“The blue economy encompasses all economic activities related to oceans, seas, and coastal areas,” explained Dr. Casey Maugh Funderburk, Associate Professor of Human Capital Development at Southern Miss and the grant’s principal investigator. “There is a strong need for skilled leaders who can guide organizations in areas like maritime transportation, offshore energy, marine biotechnology, and coastal tourism. Our prime location makes it convenient for participants across the Gulf Coast states.”
The program requires attending four monthly, full-day training sessions at Southern Miss coastal locations. Topics are designed to strengthen leadership competencies; current programs include Fostering Employee Engagement and Emotional Intelligence, Coaching and Mentoring to Flourish at Work, Building Trust in the Workplace and Leading and Managing Organizational Change. After each session, participants are required to complete competency assessments and training evaluations.
“The School of Leadership has an excellent reputation for delivering top-notch professional and organizational leadership development programs,” noted Dr. Heather Annulis, Professor Emerita and Project Coordinator for the grant. “The BELC program equips leaders with the specialized skills to positively impact organizations connected to the blue economy.”
The topic for the first session, held in September, was Fostering Employee Engagement and Emotional Intelligence. The facilitator, Dr. Janea McDonald, owns Edge Consulting, LLC, of Long Beach, Miss., which provides human capital consulting services such as employee training and development to organizations across the Gulf Coast. A total of 31 participants came from wide-ranging coastal industries, including shipbuilding, medical, banking, food service, and the nonprofit sector.
The topic for the next session, which will be held on November 7 at The University of Southern Mississippi’s Marine Research Center in Gulfport, is Coaching and Mentoring to Flourish at Work. The presenter, Dr. Wendi Lord, is a Human Capital Development program graduate at Southern Miss, a certified change manager and the founder of Propelling Potential, a life coaching practice.
While the 2024-25 session is at full capacity, at least two additional sessions will be held and enrollment will begin in April 2025. For more information on how to enroll in a future session, contact Dr. Casey Maugh Funderburk at (228) 214-3309 or email casey.maugh@usm.edu.
About The University of Southern Mississippi
Since our founding in 1910, The University of Southern Mississippi has remained dedicated to preparing students for success. We deliver programs to more than 13,000 students in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. We are a community-engaged Carnegie R1 university, earning distinction as one of the nation’s leading research institutions. Southern Miss is known for pioneering work in polymer science, ocean science, spectator sports safety and security, and bringing language to children with communication disorders. We are also a national leader in a broad range of disciplines, including cybersecurity, hydrography, nutrition, aquaculture, kinesiology, and economic development, among others. We produce graduates ready to enter fields that are leading the way in emerging technologies through programs such as computer engineering, information technology, and ocean engineering. We’re developing the next generation of business leaders, while also responding to critical workforce shortages by producing skilled professionals in education and nursing. With a tradition of excellence in the arts, we are one of only 36 public institutions in the nation accredited in four major areas of the arts. Home to the Golden Eagles, our student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I sports. With a culture marked by passion and persistence, Southern Miss is delivering graduates who are ready for life.
