Led by: Todd Muhlenkamp

Your thoughts and concerns are valuable.

We will discuss how can you effectively share your perspective, be acknowledged, and receive beneficial feedback from others in the workplace.

Eastern Indiana Works provides these sessions, in partnership with Shafer Leadership Academy, as a free service to our clients.

Workshops are designed to enhance your marketability and improve your skill-set. 
Please register within 24 hours of workshop time. LUNCH will be served at this session. 

Navigating the Job Search Journey with Confidence – The Power of Disclosing Disabilities

In this empowering session, we delve into the nuanced and often uncharted territory of disclosing disabilities during the job search process. Discover the key strategies to turn disclosure into a strength, fostering an environment of openness and understanding with potential employers. We explore the delicate balance between transparency and personal privacy, providing valuable insights on when, how, and why to disclose your disability. Through real-life success stories and expert advice, participants will gain the tools to navigate interviews, application processes, and workplace dynamics with confidence. Our presentation transcends the traditional narrative, encouraging individuals to embrace their unique strengths and talents. Uncover the potential for diversity and inclusion to drive innovation and enhance team dynamics within professional settings. Whether you are a job seeker with a disability, a hiring manager, or an HR professional, this session will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to foster an inclusive and supportive workplace culture. Join us on this journey of empowerment, where disclosure becomes a catalyst for personal and professional growth.

Learning Objectives

1. Understanding the Dynamics of Disclosure: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding disclosing disabilities during the job search, including legal considerations, personal choices, and potential impacts on the hiring process.
2. Strategic Disclosure Techniques: Learn practical strategies for strategically disclosing disabilities in various stages of the job search, from crafting resumes and cover letters to navigating interviews, in order to emphasize strengths and contribute to a positive and inclusive impression.
3.  Navigating Interview Challenges: Develop effective communication skills to confidently address questions related to disabilities during interviews, turning potential challenges into opportunities to showcase resilience, adaptability, and unique problem-solving abilities.
4. Building Inclusive Work Environments: Explore the role of individuals in fostering inclusive workplaces and learn how disclosing disabilities can contribute to a diverse and innovative organizational culture.
5. Empowering Professional Growth: Discover how embracing one’s unique strengths, including those associated with disabilities, can lead to increased self-confidence, resilience, and overall professional growth.

Free for All to Attend- Join us in recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month!

About Our FacilitatorS

Dr. Courtney Jarrett is the Director of Disability Services at Ball State University (BSU) where she oversees the university’s efforts to provide access and opportunity for approximately 4000 students with disabilities. A triple alum of BSU, Courtney is Affiliate Faculty in Women’s and Gender Studies, teaching several classes at BSU yearly. She authored a textbook, Not Your Momma’s Feminism, in 2016 and the 2nd edition was released in August 2020. She recently published her first children’s book, Muncie Women A-Z. She is a member of the League of Women Voters, American Association for University Women, and a current precinct committee person for her district in Muncie. Dr. Jarrett also has a role with Shafer Leadership Academy as a Community Inclusion Ambassador for People with Disabilities. In her never-ending crusade for work-life balance, Courtney enjoys reading for fun, going to the movies, traveling with her husband & sons, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Emily Karas is a Muncie native and resident. She currently serves as the Director of Graduate Student Success for Ball State’s Graduate School where she oversees three initiatives geared toward professional development and student well-being. Emily earned her Bachelor’s Degree in English Secondary Education from Butler University and a Master’s Degree in Student Affairs and Administration in Higher Education from Ball State University. In her sparse free time, Emily enjoys reading, traveling, bodies of water, and spending time with her three kids.

Led by: Todd Muhlenkamp

Goals are what take you from dreaming to doing.

What is stopping you from making a goal? Together we will discuss how to create measurable goals- we will create an achievable goal that you can accomplish.

Eastern Indiana Works provides these sessions, in partnership with Shafer Leadership Academy, as a free service to our clients.

Workshops are designed to enhance your marketability and improve your skill-set. 
Please register within 24 hours of workshop time. Lunch will be served during this session. 

In-Person 4 Hour Session

Learning Objectives

1. 1. An appreciation of each of the major generational groups active in the workplace today
   2. An overview of the challenges and opportunities multi-generational teams present
   3. Insights regarding the world views, needs, and skill sets of various generations
   4. An understanding of how to facilitate effective collaboration among multi-generational group members

FREE for all to attend. Sponsored by American Electric Power. 

About Our Facilitator

Tisha Gierhart was hired as Shafer Leadership Academy’s first Program Director in January 2014. She is primarily responsible for all activities related to the development, delivery, and assessment of leadership programs presented by Shafer Leadership Academy. In this role, she focuses on building collaborative relationships with Shafer Leadership Academy’s participants and partners.

Tisha holds a degree in Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University. She has worked in the healthcare field for fourteen years, where she developed her skills in leadership, project management and facilitation. Tisha served as an internal coach for IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, where she worked to enhance the patient experience by cultivating a culture of service. Tisha is an alumnus of Shafer Leadership Academy’s Emergence program and has completed Advanced Facilitator Training. Tisha is a Certified John Maxwell Speaker, Coach and Trainer. She is certified in The Leadership Challenge and has over 40 hours of certified coach training. Tisha is an active member in her community where she serves as a board member for the Jay County Cancer Society and is the Co-Chair of the Jay County Cancer Walk. She enjoys volunteering and is a member of the Portland Evening Optimist and Hickory Grove Church of the Brethren. Her work reflects her passion for making a difference, building relationships, and motivating others. She believes in leading by example and developing purposeful connections.

Workplace Serenity: Strategies for Stress Reduction

This session will develop participants’ awareness of personal stress triggers and sources within the workplace. Learn practical stress management techniques, including breathing exercises and physical movement, to proactively manage stress and maintain mental clarity.

Learning Objectives

1. Increased Awareness: Gain a deeper understanding of personal stress triggers and how they impact your mental and physical well-being.
2. Practical Techniques: Learn and practice stress management techniques that can be easily incorporated into your daily routine to reduce stress.
3. Proactive Approach: Develop a proactive mindset towards managing stress, enabling you to address challenges before they escalate

Cost: Free for SLA Members. $80 non-member. $60 nonprofits.

Individuals who are either unemployed or connected with an employer who is unable to pay can request scholarships for any of our programs.

About Our Facilitator

Nichole Linebaugh balances her corporate expertise with a passion for holistic well-being as seasoned professional with 12 years’ experience in Safety, Health, and Human Resources. Holding a 500-hour Yoga Teacher certification from the Yoga Alliance, her yoga journey began in 2013 as a response to stress, evolving in 2016 with a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training and the establishment of Nurturing Rose Yoga. In 2020, she achieved a 300-hour Yoga Teacher Training, and in 2023, fulfilled a dream by opening Nurturing Rose Yoga Bin—a converted grain bin transformed into a unique yoga studio, a space to share the healing embrace of nature. Balancing her professional role with a commitment to holistic well-being, she seamlessly integrates yoga principles into her approach to managing stress. Beyond her corporate endeavors, she eagerly shares the growth and insights garnered through this dual journey, offering valuable perspectives to professionals and individuals on their paths of development. Rooted in family, nature, and a dedication to continuous growth, she embraces life’s adventures with an open heart and a holistic perspective.

Strategic Decision Making: From Vision to Execution

How do you and your team make decisions? What is your process from vision to execution of a project or goal? Where do you get stuck?  Participants of this workshop will discuss common sticking points in the path of effective and strategic decision making and will learn tools and techniques for elevating their own decision making, as well as the strategic thinking of their team.

Learning Objectives

1. Gain a greater understanding of the obstacles to effective and strategic decision making
2. Learn tools for enhancing your strategic decision making
3. Develop actionable steps to implement with your team

Cost: Free for all to attend for the Innovation Connector’s Innovation Week!

About Our Facilitator

Erika Petrelli has been in people-development for more than 25 years, currently as The Leadership Program’s Senior Vice President of Leadership Development. She worked at the helm of Leadership’s central programming for more than a decade, overseeing its largest programmatic expansion serving K-12 youth across all five boroughs of New York City, and now trains key leadership skills to professionals across the country—as a keynote speaker and featured presenter at conferences, a trainer and coach within organizations, and an adjunct professor on youth work. She is also a key writer for all of The Leadership Program’s student curriculum, works in partnership with other organizations to develop or expand their curriculum, blogs regularly on subjects of leadership and personal development, and wrote an interactive journal, On Wings & Whimsy: Finding the Extraordinary Within the Ordinary, available on Amazon.