2022 TOP WORKPLACES

For the 8th consecutive year, The Oklahoman recognized Meridian as a Top Workplace in Oklahoma, which is based on employee feedback. Meridian was honored as the top workplace in the Mid-Size category

Businesses Served

Data from fiscal year 2022

AVERAGE when new jobs are created through entrepreneurs in the Center for Business Development.

Nasa Hunch Finalists

Six Meridian students visited NASA headquarters to present their projects to engineers and astronauts.

Rap Signing Day

Jobs Created

Meridian hosted a signing ceremony to celebrate the launch of the Automotive Mechanic Registered Apprenticeship Program.

Community Service

During their time at Tech, over 90 recent graduates documented more than 2,500 community service hours.

BUSINESS Interview Skills

Interview anxiety? No worries! This course will teach you how to successfully prepare for any job interview. $30

8/15 T 6:00P - 9:00P

9/26 T 6:00P - 9:00P

12/05 T 6:00P - 9:00P

Digital Marketing for Small Business: Growing Social Media

As a small business owner, understanding how to leverage social media platforms is important for the growth of your business. In this handson session, explore social media strategies, branding, analytics, content creation and best practices in audience engagement. Implement these skills using your social media accounts and consider additional platforms. $49

8/29 T 3:30P - 6:30P MAIN

Digital Marketing for Small Business: Optimizing Web Content

This session is for small business marketers who want to establish or grow their web presence by leveraging existing web content and developing new strategies. You will discover SEO strategies, Generative AI incorporation, website accessibility, monitoring website/search engine traffic and brand guidelines. This is a hands-on session that will walk you through the implementation of the strategies and tools. $49

8/31 Th 3:30P - 6:30P

Digital Marketing for Small Business: Email Marketing Automation

Communication with your customers is crucial. Discover how to grow existing email campaigns and determine new strategies for content creation and engagement tracking. Topics covered include lead marketing strategy, brand guidelines, design principles, best practices and important metrics. This hands-on session will walk you through the implementation of the strategies and tools. $49

9/05 T 3:30P - 6:30P

MAIN

Digital Marketing for Small Business: Graphic Design for Small Business Marketing

Creating graphics for your marketing strategies can be a challenge. Explore ways to improve your organization’s branded marketing imagery using Canva, a beginner-friendly online tool. Learn about designing for digital publications, style guidelines, design principles and current trends. $49

Social Media Tactics

Learn how to optimize your social media channels for your business. Social media platforms that will be discussed include Facebook, Instagram, Google Business and LinkedIn. Learn to use video, reels and stories to your advantage. Discover how and when to use hashtags to grow an interactive following. $70

9/12 - 9/21 TTh 7:30P - 9:00P SOUTH

Canva for your Business

Canva is a powerful, affordable, online design software that can help you create a variety of engaging content for your business. From social media images to a wide range of marketing materials, Canva makes it a simple process to create beautiful designs and documents quickly and easily. $49

9/28 Th 6:00P - 9:00P SOUTH

Supervisory Academy

The best supervisors and managers are clearminded, performance-driven and peopleoriented. They must be able to effectively assess their work situations and determine the most appropriate responses to get the job done within budget and up to standard. This training series helps managers think on their feet as they work with people to create value. $349

8/31 - 10/12 Th 1:30P - 4:30P MAIN

The Bob Pike Group Train-the-Trainer Boot Camp PLUS

The Bob Pike Group’s Train-the-Trainer Boot Camp is the cornerstone of the company’s innovative, instructor-led, participant-centered methodology. In this training transformation, participants will be introduced to the company’s Creative Training Techniques ® that thousands of trainers all over the world have used to increase retention and on-the-job transfer. This training event allows participants to dive deep in the practical application of Creative Training Techniques ® with opportunities to practice and receive real-time feedback from a Creative Training expert. Registration includes course materials, breakfast and lunch each day. $1,100

10/09 - 10/11 MTW 8:00A - 5:00P

Basics of Marketing Your Business

SOUTH

Particpants will be introduced to writing a marketing plan with your perfect client in mind. Topics covered include landing pages, email campaigns, social media campaigns and networking tactics. $70

10/10 - 10/19 TTh 7:30P - 9:00P

SOUTH

9/07 Th 3:30P - 6:30P

MAIN

ENTREPRENEURSHIP Starting a Business

This class covers the basic questions you need to answer when deciding to open a business. Participants learn to pay attention to market research and financials, two areas that cause trouble for new businesses. FREE

Hiring Your Team

Sometimes finding the right person for the job can seem like a gamble. This class will help increase your odds through application screening and interviewing practices to improve your employee selection process. FREE

10/24 T 11:45A - 1:00P MAIN

Small Business Brown Bag Lunch

Bring your lunch and join the Business and Entrepreneurial Services team for a discussion of special topics relevant to small business. FREE

12/06 W 11:45A - 1:00P MAIN

12/07 Th 11:45A - 1:00P SOUTH

Forming an LLC

Are your personal assets at risk? Do not let your self-employment, side business, or part-time gig be a personal liability! Come and learn the formalities of having an LLC, including formation, taxation, operation, and more! $50 8/28

5:30P - 9:30P

Discovering Your Side Hustle

A side hustle may be a good way to supplement your income. This class will cover some important things to consider while discovering what side hustle will be the best fit for you. FREE

Advanced Entrepreneur Skill Training for Personal and Business Growth

This seminar is an introduction to the four foundations for quantum growth in professional and personal goal setting. Whether you are a business owner, self-employed or an employee, come learn how to maximize the management principles that impact your growth - time management, money management, emotional management and skill management. $30

9/08 F 9:00A - 11:00A

Intro to Business Startup and Tax Basics

This course is an introduction to starting a business and how it will impact your personal taxes. We will cover the business filings needed at the federal and state level, how to open a business bank account and how to properly file business taxes. $40

9/28 Th 5:30P - 9:30P MAIN

Building Your Team

How do you develop a team of employees?

Learn the common areas that keep teams from performing at their highest level. This class will discuss Team Formation Theory and offer advice on building the right team for your business. FREE

10/17 T 11:45A - 1:00P MAIN

Linkedin

Linkedln Profile More Than a Digital Résumé

Not all profiles are created equal. Learn to take advantage of the features LinkedIn has to offer to highlight your expertise in a way that catches attention and sets you apart. People need to know who you are and what you do when they visit your profile – is yours clear? Starting with the right profile picture, headline and about me section, small tweaks can make a huge difference Take it a step further and begin building and expanding your network. You’ll learn how to find the right people, make connections and how to wield a secret weapon to start meaningful conversations that lead to lasting relationships. A lunch will be provided. $19

9/20 W 11:30A - 1:15P MAIN

Linkedln Content Quality Content Creation

Less than 1% of members on LinkedIn post content on a regular basis. Set yourself apart from the rest with content that invites conversation and showcases your expertise. In this session, you’ll learn best practices for managing ideas, generating content, posting frequency and tools for creation. In addition to creating quality content, engaging with others ensures your content is seen and elevates your presence as a content creator. Learn about the “secret sauce” of engagement, guidelines for engaging with others, customizing notifications and managing your time within the platform. Lunch will be provided. $19

10/18 W 11:30A - 1:15P MAIN

LinkedIn-Beyond Static Posts Creating Content that Moves You

Videos and livestreams provide unique opportunities to connect with your audience on a different level. Seeing someone’s face and hearing their voice at the same time brings about an increased level of trust that other content cannot do. Learn how to take advantage of video and top 5 tips and resources for creation. You’ll also learn the benefits of livestreaming, resources for production, how to repurpose content, 3rd party streaming services and more. Finally, we’ll cover LinkedIn audio rooms and other premium content available to creators. Lunch will be provided. $19

11/15 W 11:30A - 1:15P MAIN

Lunchtime Learning

This series is a partnership with the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce and Guthrie Chamber of Commerce. Lunch is included in your registration fee.

The Six Types of Working Genius: A Better Way to Understand Your Gifts, Your Frustrations and Your Team

Do you know what specific types of work bring you joy and energy, and what leads you to frustration and burnout? Julie Griffin will unpack the Six Types of Working Genius, a new model and assessment created by author Patrick Lencioni. You’ll learn about the six fundamental activities that are required for any work, how to identify the types of work that bring you joy and energy and how you can learn about and leverage your own natural gifts to thrive both at work and at home. $20

8/08 T 11:30A - 1:00P

10/05 Th 11:30A - 1:00P

Beyond Tactics: Talking to Your Team About Modern Workplace Safety Concerns

Heartbreaking workplace violence situations are now a common occurrence, and recent events have shown us that it can happen anywhere. This session will help you think through things you haven’t thought about before to keep yourself, your colleagues and workplace safe. Topics include situational awareness and practical application of everyday items. Learn what partner organizations and resources are available and how to communicate during and after a workplace violence event. $20

9/07 Th 11:30A - 1:00P SOUTH

Gaining Confidence & Charisma

We’ve all seen people who ooze confidence and charisma. They are secure in who they are, but they aren’t arrogant. They are self-aware, and they are generally willing to take big risks because they believe anything is possible. They acknowledge their own achievements, and they are the first to celebrate yours too. From the outside, it appears confidence and charisma happen with ease, and either you have them, or you don’t. The truth is both are learned behaviors that can be mastered with practice and persistence. Learn how to confidently present successes and skills, develop a compelling opener when meeting new people and learn how to leave an impression others won’t forget. $20

9/12 T 11:30A - 1:00P MAIN

Juggling the Details: Giving People More Than They Expect

Customer service has always been a fundamental part of every business, but it’s more important than ever right now. How you interact with external clients, as well as how you connect with internal customers, makes all the difference, and this session will help you extend hospitality to both. Learn how you’re currently interacting with the people around you, so you can rethink how you and your colleagues can transform ordinary transactions into extraordinary experiences. $20

10/10 T 11:30A - 1:00P MAIN

Fight the Frustration: How to Work With People Who Drive You Crazy Know-it-alls.

Complainers. Dictators. Passive-aggressives. Of course you recognize these labels – they’re the people you work with, sell to, depend on or live with. There are difficult personalities all around us and we must find a way to work with them. Learn strategies to understand and communicate with the difficult people in your life, be less of a target for their challenging behavior and learn how to bring out the best in those who have trouble doing it themselves. $20

11/02 Th 11:30A - 1:00P SOUTH

Visualizing Your Future: Vision Boards and the Science of Effective Goal Setting

Bored with the traditional SMART goal-setting framework? Learn how letting go of an acronym and embracing a vision board can give you a new way to focus on your future. Vision boards aren’t new, but some of the science behind them is. In addition to providing a visual tool to guide your goal-setting, vision boards are a psychological tool that can help clarify what you want for your future and discern exactly how to get there. During this session, facilitator Lorinda Schrammel will dive deep into what vision boards are, discuss why they are an effective way to plan your future and offer tips on how to incorporate them into your goalsetting processes. $20

11/14 T 11:30A - 1:00P

Quickbooks

QuickBooks Online Edition

Discover how easy it is to accept payments, pay your bills, generate payroll, share information with your accountant and much more using QuickBooks Online edition. $219

Real Estate

Real Estate Pre-License

This course meets training requirements mandated by the state legislature to qualify individuals to sit for the state licensing exam to become a provisional sales associate as outlined by the Oklahoma Real Estate Commission. The Commission approves the curriculum and instructor and all topics are relevant to Oklahoma laws. $370

Intro to Wastewater Systems for Real Estate Professionals

Learn what real estate professionals should look for and ask for when selling or showing a home with a septic system. By the end you will be more knowledgeable about onsite wastewater systems, know what the homeowners’ rights and responsibilities are and be able to identify possible barriers buyers may face with future plans. Approved by the Oklahoma Real Estate Commission for 2 hrs CEU credit. $45

Mastering the Landlord-Tenant Relationship

With over 100 million tenants renting throughout the United States, understanding your rights and responsibilities as a landlord and as a tenant is critical. This class is taught by a lawyer who manages his own rental properties. In addition to answering as many questions as possible, this class will cover Oklahoma’s Landlord Tenant Act, what a “good” lease might include, what the eviction process looks like and some practical tips for maintaining a good relationship between landlords and tenants. $30

Real Estate Post-License: Career Launch

Meets post-education real estate instruction requirements mandated by the state legislature for qualification as a Sales Associate. The Commission approves the curriculum and instructor and all topics are relevant to Oklahoma laws. $350

RECHARGE: A SERIES FOR WOMEN

This series is a partnership with the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce. Lunch is included in your registration fee.

Modern Day Mentoring

Mentoring doesn’t look like it used to. In today’s world, it’s more fluid and less formal. It’s also more collaborative and diverse, focusing on all growth and development areas. Modern-day mentors might be colleagues or coworkers with shared experiences, someone younger who brings new ideas and experiences or even a small networking group. While the composition may look different, the goal of providing guidance and support to help someone reach their full potential remains the same. This session will explore non-traditional mentoring frameworks and provide suggestions on how individuals and industries can use them to create meaningful interactions with a modern-day twist. $20

9/21 Th 11:30A - 1:00P MAIN

The Science of Stamina: Managing Energy, Not Time

As workplace demands keep rising, we often respond by putting in longer hours and engaging in unhealthy habits that can eventually lead to burnout. Meanwhile, we take for granted what actually fuels our capacity at work and at home – our energy. This session will examine four different sources of energy – the body, emotions, mind and spirit – so you can reflect on where you need to set boundaries, unplug from unhealthy habits, and recharge by considering your own sense of meaning and purpose and ease back into a life that you love. $20

11/30 Th 11:30A - 1:00P MAIN