Rise to LEADership Certificate

Rise to leadership

Rise to LEADership is a premier professional development program designed for Charlotte employees aspiring to future leadership roles. This initiative empowers emerging leaders by providing targeted training in the essential “soft skills” that enhance leadership potential while driving excellence in their current positions. The curriculum focuses on five core pillars: professionalism, peer leadership (leading without authority), strategic thinking, accountability, and the logistics of leadership career positioning. Through this program, participants gain the tools and visibility needed to successfully transition into leadership and make a lasting impact.

To earn a certificate, participants must complete at least four of the five offered courses; these courses include:

The Character of Leadership: Ethics and Professional Conduct

This course focuses on cultivating the character and temperament of an effective leader. Participants will learn to navigate shifting professional dynamics—such as transitioning from peer to supervisor—while practicing “extreme ownership” and maintaining composure under pressure. By applying Emotional Intelligence (EQ), leaders will develop the self-awareness and social maturity needed to lead with empathy and integrity.

Peer Leadership: Leading Without a Title

Designed for impact from any level, this session teaches professionals how to become a “go-to” resource through reliability and expertise. Learners will explore strategic influence and mentorship without formal authority, while practicing cultural stewardship to rise above office gossip. The curriculum emphasizes a solution-oriented mindset and practical optimism to inspire peers and boost team morale.

Own the Outcome: Transitioning from Contributor to Project Leader

This course empowers participants to shift from identifying problems to presenting data-backed solutions. Learners will master the project lifecycle—planning, execution, and closing—to keep initiatives on track and under budget. By adopting a “management mindset,” participants learn to relinquish individual contributor tasks to focus on high-level oversight, resource management, and strategic outcomes.

High-Impact Feedback and Accountability

Centering on firmness, competency, and fairness, this session helps leaders move from a desire to be “liked” to a goal of being respected. Using tools like Radical Candor and the Situation-Behavior-Impact (SBI) Feedback Model, participants will learn to challenge directly while caring personally. The course also covers “managing up and sideways” and establishing an accountability loop to ensure all team commitments are met.

The Leadership Launchpad

This course covers the logistics of landing and succeeding in your first leadership role. Participants will learn to “job craft” their current duties for advancement and gain a deep understanding of UNC Charlotte-specific processes. Additionally, learners will focus on portfolio and resume enhancement, shifting their professional narrative from a simple list of tasks to a compelling record of leadership achievements. Finally, learners will refine their professional narrative and build a 90-day transition plan to hit the ground running.

Class Dates

The classes for the summer 2026 cohort are taking place on the dates below. These sessions are in-person and hosted on UNC Charlotte’s main campus.

Application for 2026 Summer Cohort

Applications for the 2026 Summer Cohort will open May 14.

Questions

If you have any remaining questions about the Rise to LEADership Certificate please contact the Learning and Organizational Development team through HR Connect for secure, timely support.