“I think I have a lot to offer,” said Davis, who has been in her role nearly nine years. “Going back to school isn’t always for everybody, so I have to figure out ways that I can grow within the system and still be who I am.”
Led by Learning & Organization Development within Duke Human Resources, the Foundational Skills Program is part of Duke’s Professional Development Academy and provides tailored training for staff at Duke University and Duke University Health System in non-administrative roles.
The program offers a holistic approach to professional development, providing participants with the opportunity to strengthen their skills, expand their confidence and grow personally and professionally within their careers at Duke.
Clinical Staff Department Nurse Manager of Operations Danielle Caldwell, left, and Nursing Care Assistant II Lashima Davis, right, have worked together since 2021.
Nominations are now being accepted for the next Foundational Skills Program cohort, which begins May 28 and runs through summer 2027. Twenty spots are available for this edition of the program. Nominations are open through May 7 or until all spots are filled. Employees must be nominated by their supervisor to participate to invest in their future, enhance skills and explore new possibilities.
Antwan Lofton, Vice President for Duke Human Resources, said the Foundational Skills Program is designed to open doors for committed employees, helping them strengthen their skills, expand their growth and explore new possibilities within Duke.
“Our employees invest their time and talent in Duke so it’s important that Duke invests in them,” Lofton said. “It’s extremely important to create career ladders for people at all levels of our organization”
Participants take the CliftonStrengths assessment to better understand their talents and receive coaching to build on their strengths and address growth areas. The program also covers self-leadership, time management, conflict resolution, effective communication and team dynamics. In addition, participants gain experience with Microsoft 365, along with support in building a resume and practicing job interviews.
“This content is designed to be universally helpful and administered immediately,” said Senior Learning & Organization Development Consultant Marjorie Siegert. “They learn things they can use right away to strengthen the role where they are, become a better teammate, feel more confident and develop their career at Duke. We’re giving people the tools, the strategies and the connections that they can use to grow in place or make their next move.”
Throughout the program, participants define their professional development objectives and reflect on their journey through personal essays and vision boards. Participants also meet monthly for guided sessions with mentors from administrative roles at Duke who can offer guidance on how to thrive and advance within the organization.
Danielle Caldwell, Nurse Manager of Operations in the Clinical Staff Department and Davis’ supervisor since 2021, said she has long admired Davis’ versatility and strong people skills. When Davis shared her interest in the Foundational Skills program to build administrative skills alongside her clinical experience, Caldwell saw it as a valuable next step and nominated her for the program.
“She’s smart, she’s articulate, she has great communication skills and is professional at all times,” Caldwell said about Davis. “All of these are things you can transfer into just about any other role you want to be in. She is a person who could really do just about anything she wants to do. That’s why it’s important to have a program like this for employees who have the potential to grow.”
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