Course List
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Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 05/26/2026 at 1:30 PM (EDT)
This class will start on May 29 and end on July 10, 2026
Syllabus: Strategies for Public Sector Leadership Certificate Program
Start Date: May 29, 2026
End Date: July 10, 2026
Instructor: Priscilla Wilson
PSHRA Contact: Debbie Tankersely-Snook
Welcome:
Welcome to PSHRA's Strategies for Public Sector Leadership. This course will equip you with the necessary tools to shift from a transactional to a strategic role in Public Sector HR by using a competency framework. Your role has evolved beyond merely transactional tasks. Today's HR department in the public sector is pivotal to the agency's success. It involves teaching team building, coaching, conflict resolution, consensus-building, fostering a risk-taking culture, enhancing communication, building trust, and more.
Course Outcomes:
This comprehensive leadership course is designed for mid- to senior-level public sector HR leaders, providing a solid foundation for success.
To achieve this, the course focuses on the following outcomes:
- Assess the impact of HR and human capital management in the public sector and justify HR programs in the public sector.
- Design programs that align with specific competencies within the PSHRA Competency Model, covering three major modules: Leader, Business Partner, and Change Agent.
- Evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses regarding these competencies and create a plan for your individual professional development as an HR professional using the PSHRA Competency Model.
- Plan professional development in accordance with your personal competencies.
You will finish this course with:
- A solid strategic foundation for success.
- A professional development plan.
Certificate of Attendance:
You will earn a Certificate of Attendance upon completion of the course.
Course Design:
The course spans six weeks and follows a specific timeline with a sequence of lessons and cohort sessions. You will receive details about the dates, times, and locations of cohort sessions.
Time Commitment:
Plan for 90 minutes for each online lesson to read, complete activities, and prepare for cohort sessions. Individuals have varying learning paces, so it might take more or less time for each person. We recommend completing lessons a day or two before the cohort sessions to allow time for reflection on what you've learned and the development of your plans.
Meetings and Discussions:
- Course Cohort Meetings take place in Zoom Events – You will access them through your course "Content Tab."
- Course Discussion Board take place in Your Course’s Engage Community – You will access the Engage Community through your course "Content Tab."
Online Cohort Schedule (subject to change):
- Cohort #1 – 6/9/2026 - 1:30 - 3:00 pm ET
- Cohort #2 – 6/24/2026 - 1:30 - 3:00 pm ET
- Cohort #3 - 7/1/2026 - 1:30 - 3:00 pm ET
- Cohort #4 - 7/7/2026 - 1:00 - 2:30 pm ET
Course Schedule:
Week 1:
Online Lesson (self-paced) - Lesson 1: Introduction
Week 2:
Cohort Session (virtual) - Session 1: Introduction
Online Lesson (self-paced) - Lesson 2: The Role of the HR Leader
Week 3:
No Cohort Session
Online Lesson (self-paced) - Lesson 3: The Role of an HR Business Partner
Week 4:
Cohort Session (virtual) - Session 2: The Role of the HR Leader
- Negotiation: the cohort participants will perform a mock negotiation of a contract or provisions of a rule and have sides. This activity will allow participants to see how people react in these situations and practice skills used to defuse tension
- Emotional Quotient/Intelligence: cohort participants will develop a proposed response modeling EQ based on a stressful leadership/communication scenario
Online Lesson (self-paced) - Lesson 4: The Role of the Change Agent
Week 5:
Cohort Session (virtual) - Session 3: The Role of an HR Business Partner
- Partnered practice scenario performs as a trusted coach or consultant on a challenging people issue such as performance, DEIA, risk management, or leadership coaching (developing) or advising (consulting)
- Partners work on conducting an HR needs analysis
Online Lesson (self-paced) - Lesson 5: Summary
Week 6:
Cohort Session (in-person or virtual) - Session 4: The Role of the Change Agent & Summary
Course Workbook:
The course includes a workbook. You'll use the workbook throughout the course to reflect on what you're learning, record ideas, plan for future personal development, and plan activities for your agency. There are two versions:
- a PDF version - if you'd like to print it and write your answers and ideas and
- an MS Word version - if you'd prefer to work electronically.
The files have the same content - just differences in page layout. You will use the workbook while taking the online lessons and while attending the cohort sessions.
The workbook is available by selecting the Course Materials tab and then Strategies for Public Sector Leadership Workbook.
Making public sector work better™.
Priscilla Wilson
Priscilla served in executive leadership roles in local government for almost 30 years. In her immediate past role, she served as the Chief People Officer for the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). At ICMA, Priscilla worked closely with the Executive Leadership Team and other members of the ICMA leadership to provide comprehensive support in the overall business plan and strategic direction of ICMA. Priscilla led the People, Culture and Capabilities Team by overseeing all facets of human resource administration, including creating a robust global culture that promoted continuous business growth and employee engagement.
Prior to joining ICMA, Priscilla served in leadership roles in local governments in North Carolina and Texas (i.e., Assistant City Manager, Human Resources Director, and Compensation and Benefits Director). Her experience also includes serving as a Merger and Acquisitions Advisor, Dispute Resolution Consultant, and serving on various Boards with significant experience in steering organizations through periods of economic crisis.
Priscilla is an experienced corporate trainer and facilitator, skilled in delivering impactful and engaging leadership training. She has led employee development workshops and seminars, both in local governments and non-profit organizations, leading to improved team communication and collaboration.
Priscilla earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a bachelor’s degree in political science from North Carolina State University. She holds IPMA-SCP, SPHR-CP and SHRM-SCP certifications and is a credentialed mediator.
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Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 05/28/2026 at 3:30 PM (EDT)
This class will start on May 26, 2026 and end on August 7, 2026
PSHRA’s Public Sector HR Essentials Certificate Course Syllabus
Please let us know if you run into any problems or have questions as soon as possible. We want to make sure you are to have the best possible learning experience.
Course Material (All you need is on your dashboard)
- PSHRE Workbook (PDF and Word Versions)
- Public Sector HR Essentials Lessons Summary
- HR20/20 Report
Course Design:
The course spans ten weeks and follows a specific timeline with a sequence of lessons and cohort sessions.
Time Commitment:
Plan for 2 hours for each online lesson to read, complete activities, and prepare for cohort sessions. Individuals have varying learning paces, so it might take more or less time for each person. We recommend completing lessons a day or two before the cohort sessions to allow time for reflection on what you've learned and the development of your plans. All course materials are included on your course dashboard (no textbook is required).
Course Cohort Session Schedule (subject to change):
- Start Date: 5/26/2026
- Completion Date: 8/7/2026
- Cohort Session 1: 5/28/2026 - 3:30 - 5:00 pm ET
- Cohort Session 2: 6/18/2026 - 3:30 - 5:00 pm ET
- Cohort Session 3: 7/8/2026 - 12:30 - 2:00 pm ET
- Cohort Session 4: 7/23/2026 - 3:30 - 5:00 pm ET
- Cohort Session 5: 7/30/2026 - 3:30 - 5:00 pm ET
- Cohort Session 6: 8/6/2026 - 3:30 - 5:00 pm ET
Course Content:
Week 1 - Introduction
Cohort Session 1: Introduction
Week 2 - Lesson 1: Public Sector Basics
Week 3 - Lesson 2: Recruitment
Cohort Session 2: Public Sector HR Basics & Recruitment
Week 4 - Lesson 3: Selection
Week 5 - Lesson 4: Classification and Compensation
Cohort Session 3: Selection, Classification & Compensation
Week 6 - Lesson 5: Benefits
Week 7 - Lesson 6: Labor and Employee Relations
Cohort Session 4: Benefits and Labor Management Relations
Week 8 - Lesson 7: Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity
Week 9 - Lesson 8: Organizational Development
Cohort Session 5: Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity, Organization
Week 10 - Lesson 9: Course Summary
Cohort Session 6: Course Summary and Wrap-up
Certificate of Attendance earned upon course completion.
Making public sector work better®.
Isabel Godina-Vergara, PSHRA-SCP
Human Resources Manager
City of Nampa, ID
Isabel serves as the Human Resources Manager for the City of Nampa, Idaho, where she has dedicated over 19 years of her professional life. Isabel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and Human Resources Management, as well as the esteemed PSHRA-SCP certification.
As HR Manager, Isabel is responsible for the full spectrum of HR operations—from Recruiting and Employee Relations to Strategic Planning and Team Development. Isabel is passionate about training; she regularly facilitates programs for her internal customers, including DISC training and various communication and leadership workshops.
Dedicated to continuous learning, she is always pursuing additional educational opportunities, which she then translates into valuable knowledge for her peers. She recently started a small business and plans to launch a nonprofit to continue sharing her HR expertise with the wider community.
She has been an active, dedicated member of PSHRA since 2007.
When she manages to step away from the world of HR, Isabel loves enjoying Idaho's scenic views while camping, hiking, off-roading, and paddleboarding, exploring further out. She has also recently developed a love for snorkeling.
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Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 06/23/2026 at 3:00 PM (EDT)
This class will start on June 16, 2026 and end on August 25, 2026
PSHRA’s Public Sector HR Essentials Certificate Course Syllabus
Please let us know if you run into any problems or have questions as soon as possible. We want to make sure you are to have the best possible learning experience.
Course Material (All you need is on your dashboard)
- PSHRE Workbook (PDF and Word Versions)
- Public Sector HR Essentials Lessons Summary
- HR20/20 Report
Course Design:
The course spans ten weeks and follows a specific timeline with a sequence of lessons and cohort sessions.
Time Commitment:
Plan for 2 hours for each online lesson to read, complete activities, and prepare for cohort sessions. Individuals have varying learning paces, so it might take more or less time for each person. We recommend completing lessons a day or two before the cohort sessions to allow time for reflection on what you've learned and the development of your plans. All course materials are included on your course dashboard (no textbook is required).
Course Cohort Session Schedule (subject to change):
- Start Date: 6/16/2026
- Completion Date: 8/25/2026
- Cohort Session 1: 6/23/2026 - 3:30 - 4:30 pm ET
- Cohort Session 2: 7/10/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
- Cohort Session 3: 7/22/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
- Cohort Session 4: 7/28/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
- Cohort Session 5: 8/11/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
- Cohort Session 6: 8/20/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
Course Content:
Week 1 - Introduction
Cohort Session 1: Introduction
Week 2 - Lesson 1: Public Sector Basics
Week 3 - Lesson 2: Recruitment
Cohort Session 2: Public Sector HR Basics & Recruitment
Week 4 - Lesson 3: Selection
Week 5 - Lesson 4: Classification and Compensation
Cohort Session 3: Selection, Classification & Compensation
Week 6 - Lesson 5: Benefits
Week 7 - Lesson 6: Labor and Employee Relations
Cohort Session 4: Benefits and Labor Management Relations
Week 8 - Lesson 7: Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity
Week 9 - Lesson 8: Organizational Development
Cohort Session 5: Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity, Organization
Week 10 - Lesson 9: Course Summary
Cohort Session 6: Course Summary and Wrap-up
Certificate of Attendance earned upon course completion.
Making public sector work better®.
Joe Gilkerson
Human Resources Director
City of Charlottesville, VA
Joe is currently the Human Resources Director for Charlottesville, VA, Joe has held Human Resources positions at the department head level in private sector, in local and federal government, and higher education. Prior to his civilian career, Joe was in the Marine Corps serving as an Infantry Unit Leader with a tour as a Drill Instructor /Senior Drill Instructor at Parris Island, SC.
Joe has completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management, a Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership, the Senior Executive Institute (SEI) from the University of Virginia, a Graduate Certificate Program in Local Government Management (from Virginia Tech) and has earned Senior Certified Professional (PSHRA-SCP) designation from the Public Sector Human Resources Association, the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification from the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM). Joe is the past Virginia chapter president for IPMA-VA (2010-2011) and currently a member of the PSHRA South Advisory Committee.
Joe and his wife, Amy reside in Fredericksburg Virginia.
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Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 07/02/2026 at 2:30 PM (EDT)
This class will start on June 30, 2026 and end on September 8, 2026
PSHRA’s Public Sector HR Essentials Certificate Course Syllabus
Please let us know if you run into any problems or have questions as soon as possible. We want to make sure you are to have the best possible learning experience.
Course Material (All you need is on your dashboard)
- PSHRE Workbook (PDF and Word Versions)
- Public Sector HR Essentials Lessons Summary
- HR20/20 Report
Course Design:
The course spans ten weeks and follows a specific timeline with a sequence of lessons and cohort sessions.
Time Commitment:
Plan for 2 hours for each online lesson to read, complete activities, and prepare for cohort sessions. Individuals have varying learning paces, so it might take more or less time for each person. We recommend completing lessons a day or two before the cohort sessions to allow time for reflection on what you've learned and the development of your plans. All course materials are included on your course dashboard (no textbook is required).
Course Cohort Session Schedule (subject to change):
- Start Date: 6/30/2026
- Completion Date: 9/8/2026
- Cohort Session 1: 7/2/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
- Cohort Session 2: 7/17/2026 - 11:00 - 12:30 pm ET
- Cohort Session 3: 7/30/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
- Cohort Session 4: 8/13/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
- Cohort Session 5: 8/27/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
- Cohort Session 6: 9/2/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
Course Content:
Week 1 - Introduction
Cohort Session 1: Introduction
Week 2 - Lesson 1: Public Sector Basics
Week 3 - Lesson 2: Recruitment
Cohort Session 2: Public Sector HR Basics & Recruitment
Week 4 - Lesson 3: Selection
Week 5 - Lesson 4: Classification and Compensation
Cohort Session 3: Selection, Classification & Compensation
Week 6 - Lesson 5: Benefits
Week 7 - Lesson 6: Labor and Employee Relations
Cohort Session 4: Benefits and Labor Management Relations
Week 8 - Lesson 7: Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity
Week 9 - Lesson 8: Organizational Development
Cohort Session 5: Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity, Organization
Week 10 - Lesson 9: Course Summary
Cohort Session 6: Course Summary and Wrap-up
Certificate of Attendance earned upon course completion.
Making public sector work better®.
Milton J. Perkins, PhD,, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, CF-APMP, CPC
HR Chief Solutions Architect, Educator, Public Speaker
Dr. P has an extensive track record providing insight and overseeing activities related to assessing environments, design, developing, implementing and measuring human capital solutions (talent acquisition, total rewards, performance management, employee engagement/retention, learning & development) aligned with organizational goals and objectives. Most recently he performed these duties as the SVP, ActOne Government Solutions, where he led all efforts for innovative human capital solutions and staffing solutions for
for FED/SLED capture and fulfillment, private-sector, public school, and non-profit clients, worldwide. He is a AI in HR, Workplace Culture, Workforce Planning, HR Strategy, and People Analytics content SME for organizations such as the Society for HR Management (SHRM) and the Public Sector HR Association (PSHRA).
With nearly four decades in the human capital profession, Dr. P has a tremendous wealth of advisory, practical, research, teaching, and consulting experience developing innovative organizational outcomes through people. He has been a CHRO, VP HR, CDO, and Global Talent Management Leader, Talent Acquisition Leader, and is a senior faculty member for SHRM and PSHRA. He has lectured and spoken on various human capital topics (the business of humans, AI in HR, people analytics, HR essentials, HRBP, inclusive workplace culture, HR strategy, bias in the workplace, credible communication for HR, and employee engagement, to name a few), worldwide, at conferences, corporate events, and on podcasts, virtually and in person.
He has a Ph.D. in Management, an MS in Human Resources Management, and a BS in Management & Computer Information Systems. He is certified in the following areas: IAML Employment Law, SHRM-SCP, HRCI-SPHR, CF-APMP, and NAPS-CPC, and he has
SHRM specialty credentials in DEIA, Human Capital Management Qualified Advising, Leading Workplace Investigations, AI, and People Analytics. Kindle Direct Publishing released his upcoming book, ‘Scratching the DARNSCARSS of Diversity’ in April 2024. He is a member of the Kings and Queens of DEI™, and a frequent co-host of various podcast such as, The AppleOne Show.