University of Kansas Launches Center for Workplace Excellence to Empower Organizations Across Kansas City

University of Kansas Launches Center for Workplace Excellence to Empower Organizations Across Kansas City

KU’s Center for Workplace Excellence powers career development in Kansas City.

KU’s School of Professional Studies has launched the Center for Workplace Excellence, an initiative designed to help businesses and nonprofit organizations strengthen workforce capabilities, enhance organizational effectiveness, and navigate today’s evolving workplace landscape.

Supported by the Johnson County Education Research Triangle (JCERT), the Center provides organizations with direct access to KU’s extensive faculty expertise. Through customizable professional development programs, organizational consulting, and leadership coaching, the Center serves as a strategic partner for employers seeking to upskill teams, develop leaders, and build resilient, future-ready workplaces.

Established in 2025, the Center builds on KU’s tradition of research-backed education and practical learning experiences to deliver impactful training solutions for organizations across Johnson County, the Kansas City metro area, and beyond.

“The Center for Workplace Excellence reflects KU’s commitment to supporting the evolving needs of today’s workforce,” said Stuart Day, vice provost of the KU Edwards Campus and dean of the School of Professional Studies. “By combining innovative training techniques, practical hands-on learning, and the expertise of KU faculty, it helps organizations maximize both individual and organizational potential.”

Services built around your organization’s goals

The Center offers a wide range of services tailored to meet the specific goals and challenges of an organization, including:

• On-Demand Workshops — Timely, expert-led training sessions designed around today’s most pressing workplace challenges and emerging trends.
• Customized Professional Development — Training sessions tailored to an organization’s culture, goals, and operational needs, and grounded in the most recent research.
• Workshop Series — Reliable, recurring training opportunities that help organizations build long-term capability and sustained professional growth.

In addition to workforce development programming, the Center provides executive coaching, train-the-trainer programs, licensed content, and consulting services for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Programs focus on strengthening teamwork, communication, office logistics, strategic alignment, critical thinking, leadership development, project management, personal branding, and employee engagement.

A regional partner for workforce growth

Located at KU’s Overland Park campus, the School of Professional Studies continues to expand opportunities for professionals seeking to advance their careers and organizations looking to quickly build workforce capabilities in high-demand areas.

Organizations partnering with the Center can expect flexible, practical, and research-driven solutions designed to produce measurable workplace impact and operational efficiency.

For more information about the Center for Workplace Excellence or to explore partnership opportunities, visit the KU Center for Workplace Excellence or contact Marilu Goodyear at goodyear@ku.edu.