Your Partner in Lifelong Learning and Workforce Development
Empowering Professionals, Advancing Communities
Who We Are
When industries evolve, we help professionals evolve faster. Fort Hays State University’s Professional & Continuing Education (PCE) bridges campus and career for accelerated growth. From microcredentials to custom training, PCE helps professionals upskill and reskill at the right time. Our programs turn industry demands into professional advantages, powered by FHSU’s proven expertise.
At the core of PCE lies a powerful catalyst for transformation, driving growth through three strategic pathways:
■ Microcredentials that support advancement
■ Certificates that open new doors
■ Tailored training that solves business challenges
We believe strong careers build strong organizations and communities. PCE offers opportunities to develop precise skills for today’s roles, creating
a network of success that grows stronger with every graduate.
FHSU PCE: Reimagining Professional Education & Workforce Training
As workplace demands outpaced traditional learning models, FHSU envisioned opportunity. What began as the Management Development Center evolved into an innovative approach to professional education—one of resilience and reinvention.
FHSU leadership envisioned something bold: a dynamic platform that would transform professional learning in the region. Rather than maintain the status quo, we created multiple pathways for advancement to empower professionals at every career stage. Today, PCE connects academic excellence with real-world workforce development, advancing FHSU’s mission to serve learners from Western Kansas to a global audience.
Vision:
To lead the future of professional education through transformative, innovative learning experiences.
Mission:
To empower professional success through accessible, innovative learning that adapts to a changing world.
Strategic Pillars of FHSU Professional & Continuing Education
Five core principles guide our mission to innovate professional development. These pillars reflect PCE’s commitment to providing impactful, flexible, and future-focused learning experiences:
Strategic Partnerships
We join forces with industry leaders and academic experts to create real-world learning opportunities.
Cutting-Edge Programs
Our innovative programs anticipate tomorrow’s workforce needs, equipping learners with skills that matter now.
Flexible Learning
PCE makes education accessible: online, in-person, or blended formats adapt to various life and career stages.
Equipping Learners for Success
Our programs emphasize skills that evolve with industry demands for both immediate impact and long-term growth.
Validated Credentials
Recognized microcredentials and certificates build expertise and signal real competency to employers.
Microcredential Framework
PCE’s structured microcredential programs adapt to any career stage, helping professionals level up through industry-validated competencies—step by step.
Learners build expertise through three levels of mastery:
Business Retention & Expansion
Foundational
Develop core talents to launch your professional journey. Ideal for building essential field skills.
Intermediate
Expand capabilities with specialized skills and deeper knowledge. These credentials demonstrate professional-level achievement.
Advanced
Reach expert status through comprehensive mastery. These prestigious credentials mark the highest level of proficiency.
Each credential is awarded as a digital badge through Credly, providing employers with detailed verification of these competencies, training rigor, and real-world applications. These badges function like a verifiable passport to professional advancement—secure, displayable credentials that serve as a detailed digital transcript of professional skills and achievements.
Our framework goes further—Learners can stack multiple badges into comprehensive digital certificates to showcase their broad, unique professional expertise.
Our framework reflects FHSU’s commitment to power both individual growth and industry needs through accessible, targeted learning.
FHSUPro: A Gateway to Professional Excellence
FHSUPro represents the future of professional development at PCE. Our vision is to deliver universally valuable skills that transcend industry boundaries— transforming professional potential into lasting success. Through carefully designed pathways, FHSUPro is designed to build the core competencies that drive success in any role.
Core Skills Across Industries
PCE’s skills-focused approach complements FHSU’s comprehensive academic programs, offering focused competencies for immediate workplace application. This serves both degree-seeking learners and professionals pursuing targeted skill development.
Guided by industry leaders, our core skill categories cover three essential areas:
Human Skills: Leadership, communication, teamwork, and critical thinking—foundational skills that drive professional success at every level—as well as more advanced organizational dynamics for established managers.
Digital Technology Skills: From tech fundamentals to advanced data tools—designed to prepare learners for an increasingly tech-driven world.
Financial Literacy: Practical skills for confident decisionmaking and strategic planning—vital for personal and professional advancement.
Flexible Learning, Verified Success
FHSUPro is designed to accommodate the realities of modern employment. Through strategically designed online, in-person, and blended formats, we meet learners across Kansas where they are—from metro to rural regions.
• Online: Self-paced, asynchronous learning
• Live: Real-time instruction delivered inperson or via remote technology
• Blended: Combines online self-paced learning with live sessions
Our programs deliver immediate value without disrupting career momentum. Completions earn displayable digital badges through Credly, providing employers with verified proof of professional competency.
FHSUPro: Building Tomorrow’s Workforce
As our flagship professional development initiative, FHSUPro is evolving to serve workforce needs across industries and career stages:
• Emerging Professionals: Building foundations for career entry or transition
• Mid-Level Managers: Enhancing leadership and operational capabilities
• Seasoned Professionals: Solidifying expertise through advanced learning
Driving Individual and Organizational Success
Whether for upskilling, reskilling, or enrichment, FHSUPro is more than a set of courses—it’s a strategic investment in success. We foster individual growth by targeting critical skills gaps while strengthening organizational capabilities and regional economic development.
Transforming Learning into Opportunity
Our forward-thinking approach to workforce development reflects FHSU’s commitment to accessible, transformative education. FHSUPro aims to prepare learners and partners to navigate an evolving professional landscape with confidence.
Partnering for Progress: The Power of Shared Vision
Partnerships are our foundation. PCE creates impact through strategic collaborations with industry, academia, and community partners. By joining forces, we deliver learning experiences that meet real-world needs.
Training & Consulting Services
Working directly with organizations, we create customized programs that address specific workforce needs. We architect and adapt complete learning experiences through truly tailored training to drive results that resonate.
• Custom Workforce Training: We tailor programs to organizational goals with applied, client-specific learning that ensures skills have real-world application.
• FHSUPro Series: We connect workforces with programs to build essential human, digital, and financial skills for every career stage.
• Consulting Services: We help partners identify gaps, define success metrics, and develop strategic solutions that meet their evolving needs.
Partner Spotlight: Midwest Energy
PCE’s partnership with Midwest Energy builds tomorrow’s leaders through two dynamic programs:
• KEYS Program: Develops emerging talent through focused personal and professional development
• Leadership Academy: Equips current and future leaders with essential leadership skills
Our ongoing support includes leadership development workshops, assessments, and competency modeling—all customized to Midwest Energy’s culture and goals.
Workforce Solutions
FHSU PCE strengthens regional economic development through strategic initiatives that support local growth across Western Kansas and beyond.
• Business Retention & Expansion (BRE): With support from the Kansas Department of Commerce through the Forging Opportunities for Research, Growth, and Entrepreneurship grant, our program helps communities thrive by providing training and resources to help local businesses grow and sustain their success.
• Strategic Partnerships: Through collaborations with FHSU’s Strategic Affiliation, we offer targeted workforce training designed to meet the unique needs of rural communities and emerging industries.
““FHSU has been a great partner for our organization for many years. Their expertise, collaborative approach, attentiveness to administrative details, and knowledgeable facilitators have played an essential role in the development and successful deployment of numerous professional development opportunities for our employees and leaders. We greatly value this longstanding and enduring partnership.”
- Danielle Fuchs, Organization Development Manager, Midwest Energy
• Collaborative Development: Our programs support regional economic development through strategic alignment with the goals of the Kansas Department of Commerce, Small Business Development Center, and other economic development organizations to serve both new and existing businesses.
Learning Pathways
Our partnerships with FHSU academic departments create flexible routes to professional growth.
• Stackable Success: Convert non-credit training and microcredentials into degree credits for a more seamless route to graduation.
• Flexible Delivery:
- Online, in-person, and blended options
- Self-paced training through ed2go
- Advanced career training for in-demand \ professions
Through ed2go, we provide hundreds of instructor-led and self-paced programs. From professional certification prep to fundamental skills, these courses offer flexible start dates and convenient six-week formats.
PCE’s sustainable business model supports commercial and community initiatives. We partner with academic departments to:
• Create scalable programs that generate new revenue streams
• Develop programs that enhance rather than duplicate existing curricula
• Extend educational reach to drive new students to departments
• Remove capacity constraints through flexible delivery methods
• Support faculty initiatives by managing skills-based programs
PCE invites academic departments to collaborate on non-credit programming that advances their mission while meeting industry needs—letting faculty focus on academic excellence while PCE handles program delivery.
Partner Spotlight: Advanced Education Programs
PCE’s collaboration with FHSU’s Advanced Education Programs helps equip counselors and education professionals through new Telemental Health certification courses. With three specialized, tailored courses, mental health professionals earn digital badges in remote service delivery competencies.
““Working with the FHSU Professional and Continuing Education team on our telemental health credentialing project has been terrific. The team has been attentive and effective in helping us articulate and achieve our goals. They created a productive environment through their commitment to collaboration and their detail-oriented approach. We are thrilled with the results and look forward to engaging with PCE on future projects.”
- Kimberly Chappel, Department Chair of Advanced Ed Programs, FHSU
Global Impact
PCE builds on FHSU’s established international partnerships to strengthen our core mission.
• Strategic Growth: We approach our skills-based programs with the goal of creating sustainable, scalable offerings that align with global workforce trends and support initiatives serving Western Kansas communities.
• International Collaboration: We leverage international partnerships that advance educational excellence, expanding programs and capabilities while fostering continuous improvement in everything we do.
Vision for the Future: Expanding Impact, Empowering Learners
FHSU’s Professional & Continuing Education (PCE) continues to evolve, driven by our commitment to innovation in professional education. Our vision builds on three key priorities to transform how professionals learn and grow: scaling programs, enhancing accessibility, and expanding regional and global impact.
Scaling Programs to Reach More Learners
We’re scaling our programs to reach a broader audience through flexible microcredential pathways, enhanced industry partnerships, and expanded workforce solutions. These collaborations ensure practical, high-quality education at every career stage.
Harnessing New Technologies for Learning Excellence
Technology powers our flexible learning approach. Through Modern Campus, Lightspeed VT, and digital credentialing via Credly and Lightcast, we create accessible, engaging experiences that meet learners where they are.
Expanding Global Reach
We’re building a global network of learning opportunities. By delivering microcredentials and skill-based programs globally, we create
value for both international learners and our regional community.
PCE Commitment to Progress
Excellence isn’t static—it evolves. PCE remains committed to continuous improvement through regular assessment and industry alignment. Our success metrics focus on what matters most: transformed careers, strengthened organizations, and thriving communities.
Through this vision, PCE reinforces its leadership in professional education. Together, we’re building a future where education powers both individual and community success.
Transform Your Future with PCE
Whether building organizational talent, advancing a career, or expanding educational opportunities, we’re your partner in progress. Take the next step with FHSU PCE.
For Organizations
Elevate your workforce with customized training solutions that drive results. We deliver the professional development solutions typically reserved for large corporations, tailored to scale, schedule, and budget. From HR essentials to custom programs, we help teams grow and thrive.
Learn more about how we create learning pathways that keep teams ahead in today’s dynamic market.
For Professionals
We power up careers with FHSUPro— designed to help professionals reskill, upskill, and unlock new opportunities. Explore how our flexible, skills-based programs help level up expertise and earn recognized credentials.
For Academic Partners
Let’s strengthen your programs while respecting academic traditions. We offer:
• Support that enhances, never competes with, existing programs
• Revenue-sharing opportunities for innovative delivery
• Resources to expand departmental capacity
• Pathways that align with academic policies and governance
Discover firsthand how tailored programs shape the future of professional education.
Ready to Begin?
Let’s shape the future—together.
Visit fhsu.edu/pce
Contact us: fhsu.edu/pce or 785-628-4384
Building Our Story
As PCE grows, we’re developing comprehensive ways to measure our success, from individual career advancement to regional economic growth. PCE demonstrates our stewardship of trust and resources by:
• Creating sustainable initiatives that serve professional growth journeys
• Tracking organizational development outcomes
• Documenting regional economic impact
• Measuring effectiveness through partnership success stories
• Maximizing resources through collaboration
We build programs to strengthen Kansas’ future. With these measurements, we finetune our approach to ensure PCE continues meeting evolving workforce needs while demonstrating value to individuals and organizations alike.
Knowledge matters, but skills are what get things done. Skills stack up over time—you master the basics and build on them through real practice and feedback. While degrees show what you know, microcredentials validate that knowledge and prove what you can do in the professional world. In today’s workplaces, it’s this combination that matters for success.
The future belongs to those who never stop learning. Through targeted professional programs, PCE empowers people to unlock career doors and keep them open, whether preparing for that first job, staying competitive as alumni, meeting evolving professional demands, or helping businesses thrive.
