The Bridge

The Bridge

Join The Bridge

Connect your individual growth to organizational success.

The Bridge is a series of interactive professional development workshops that will prepare you to resolve conflicts, manage change, build trust, establish boundaries, give feedback, discover your strengths, and so much more. Workshops are led by expert facilitators who bring a wealth of experience and are passionate about seeing you succeed.

Tailor your experience by signing up for only the classes you need - or take advantage of bundle offers available for a more comprehensive experience.

Bridge the gap between your personal growth and professional goals. There's no better time than now!

View Series Flyer

When: The Bridge launches August 5, 2025, with sessions being offered twice a month from August 2025 through May 2026.

Where: All workshops are in-person and will meet in Cedar Rapids. Please view the class's registration page for details.

Who: This series is perfect for driven professionals at any level, including individual contributors, informal leaders, future leaders, and current leaders.

How Much: Pricing is $169 per session if signing up as an individual. If you attend four classes, you'll receive a voucher to attend an additional class for free. *Corporate Training bundles are available in groups to suit team training needs.

How to Register: If registering as an individual, use the links found in the "Training Sessions" section below or call 319-398-1022 to sign up. For bringing your whole team, contact Kirkwood Corporate Training at 319-398-5623 or email corporatetraining@kirkwood.edu.

Training Sessions | Registration Links

Time is precious, and how you spend your days is important. We spend countless hours on the important purposes and missions of our work and workplaces, but are you devoting that same intentionality into yourself? This session is not about being perfect - it's about owning up to yourself, enriching yourself and others, and living your days in a meaningful way while leaving your special touch on the good work that you choose each day.

Register Now

Heather Woody

Want to stand out in the competitive job market? Unlock the power of personal branding and walk away with a clear roadmap for success and the confidence to market yourself authentically in the competitive job market. Learn how to overcome the fear of self-promotion and confidently articulate your value without feeling boastful. Whether you're aiming for a promotion or building a lasting industry impression, you'll gain the tools and confidence to market yourself authentically and achieve your career goals. Build a powerful personal brand that showcases your unique value!

Register Now

Kyle Steele

Feeling overwhelmed by change at work? You're not alone! This interactive workshop equips all employees, from frontline team members to managers, with the tools to navigate change effectively. We will discuss navigating resistance, fostering resilience, and driving and supporting successful change initiatives. Walk away empowered to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing environment!

Register Now

Brooke Strahn-Koller

When you think of feedback, do you compare it to the terrible sound coming out of a speaker? What if the feedback we receive is more like a story or song that we want to hear and turns into one of the best things we get to listen to?  During this session, we will explore our mindset about feedback and why feedback is important, learn a framework for giving feedback, and explore how we can receive feedback well, all with a goal of embracing feedback to lead to improvement and growth.

Register Now

Brenda Meeker

Leadership isn't about a job title - it's about the ability to inspire, influence, and bring out the best in others. In this talk, we'll explore how to cultivate authentic leadership by building trust, communicating with purpose, and empowering those around you. Whether you're leading a team, a project, or simply striving to make an impact, you'll learn actionable strategies to lead in a way that others choose to follow.

Register Now

Sarah Gorsh

Every great contribution starts with the right kind of energy. In this interactive workshop, you will explore the six types of Working Genius and discover you unique combination of gifts and frustrations. You'll walk away with insights on how to communicate more effectively, run better meetings, and influence from any position by doing more of what you're naturally wired to do best.

Register Now

Steve Wilson

Empathy isn't just a leadership skill - it's a catalyst for trust, engagement, and performance. In this interactive workshop, you will explore the profound impact of empathy in leadership, learning how to strengthen relationships, navigate workplace challenges, and foster an inclusive and supportive culture. Through guided reflection, discussion, and actionable strategies, you will gain the tools to lead with greater emotional intelligence, improve communication, and inspire your teams to perform at their best.

Register Now

Megan Thole

Conflict is part of life, but mastering it is an art. In this dynamic course, you'll explore the human dynamics and root causes of conflict, learn to build connection and mutual understanding, and apply effective communication strategies to navigate tough conversations. You'll also create a personalized conflict resolution plan tailored to your unique situations - equipping you to handle challenges like a true conflict whisperer. 

Register Now

Robert Rathje

Feeling stuck in emotional loops? This dynamic workshop unlocks the power of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) for stronger connections in all areas of your life. Learn to navigate your own emotions, understand others' perspectives, and build meaningful relationships - both at work and at home. Discover how EQ can transform communication, build trust, and help you navigate challenging situations with confidence.

Register Now

Sheri Zevenbergen

Feeling buried under your workload? Even if "Project Manager" is not your official title, you are constantly juggling tasks and projects. This course equips you with the essential project management skills to conquer any challenge, big or small. Learn to break down complex projects, master planning and time management, and unlock the power of collaboration. Say goodbye to stress as you gain the confidence to anticipate roadblocks and navigate them smoothly. 

Register Now

Jeff Zahrt

You don't need a corner office to be a leader. This engaging session provides actionable tools and techniques for effective communication, problem-solving, and collaboration. Learn how to step up, contribute meaningfully, and lead through your actions and influence.

Register Now

Amy Hospodarsky

It's easy to stay busy but still feel like you're standing still. This hands-on workshop is for professionals who are ready to clear the noise, get focused, and make meaningful progress. Whether you're working toward business growth, leadership development, or personal goals, you'll leave with a clear action plan, sharper priorities, and the tools to move forward with purpose. This isn't about doing more - it's about doing what matters most.

Register Now

Andrea Singsaas

Teams are the backbone of today's organizations, but are you getting the most out of yours? While core teamwork principles are familiar, there is a hidden wealth of potential waiting to be tapped. This workshop delves beyond the basics, teaching you how to unlock the power of diverse strengths and perspectives, and navigate roadblocks. Join us and discover how to build a team that truly breaks barriers, not just meets them!

Register Now

Terry Whitson

Want to build presentations that do more than share information? This session will explore how to design slides that connect, not just communicate. You’ll learn how to apply simple design principles, craft compelling visual stories, and use dynamic imagery that engages your audience. Whether working in PowerPoint, Canva, or using AI tools like Copilot, this session will show you how to level up your visuals without a design degree. 

Coming Soon

This workshop provides an overview of the key behaviors, mindsets, and competencies that lay the groundwork for long-term leadership success. Whether you're a new supervisor, an emerging leader, or a business owner building a team, the session will introduce you to the five foundational pillars of strong leadership. These principles drive results, build trust, support team growth, and create a healthy organizational culture.

Register Now

Sarah Hermanson

Whether you're a seasoned leader or a rising contributor, giving and receiving feedback can stir up a cocktail of emotions - frustration, fear, even a little fire-breathing dragon rage. This is a hands-on, heart-smart workshop that dives into the emotional side of feedback: what we feel, why we feel it, and how to navigate those feelings with emotional intelligence, empathy, and courage.

Register Now

Jackie Pelland

Accountability is the foundation of high-performing, growth-focused teams. This workshop will let you explore practical strategies to address performance issues, deliver impactful feedback, and inspire personal ownership. Learn how to create a culture where accountability is not feared but valued. Together, we'll discover how being accountable together can elevate trust, clarity, and results across any team.

Register Now

Robert Rathje

Ever wonder why some people navigate challenging situations and build strong relationships with greater ease? The answer often lies in their Emotional Intelligence (EQ). Come gain a practical understanding of EQ and equip yourself with the tools to enhance your own emotional awareness and interpersonal skills. This isn't just about being "nice;" it's about understanding, managing, and leveraging yours and others' emotions to achieve greater success in your personal and professional life. 

Registration Coming Soon

Randy Richards