Education & Training

There are quite a few opportunities for Educational and Training services offered by or related to the Organizational Excellence Group. Here are a few:

Organizational Excellence Training

• Liaison Training
  The Next Liaison Training Session will be held the in the Summer of 2003. Please check back for more information here or on our Events Page.

Student Athletes

• Austin's Police & Fire Departments Recognized during football game
  Each semester The University of Texas participates in a unique academic and leadership program with several varsity athletes and faculty involving law enforcement and public services.  This past year  75 athletes participated in classes serving many community resources and were able to learn side by side with police and firemen.

Management Information Systems

• Management Information Systems  
  The Organizational Excellence Group has worked with MIS faculty at the Business School since 2001 to provide internships for undergraduates. Mentoring and supervision is provided by Nicole Edwards, our systems analyst, as students work on projects designed to make our work more efficient and their experience more realistic. View MIS Student Projects

• Master's in Business Administration
  In 2002, the SOE Group helped facilitate internships for two teams of MBA students in the Governor’s Office for a state-wide grant simplification initiative. These teams examined and reported on funding state agency processes while a Master’s level student from the School of Social Work and the SOE Group surveyed the grant recipients. Dr. Lauderdale continues to examine opportunities to share resources, create meaningful internships, and facilitate the cooperation of state government and institutions of higher learning.

Social Work Courses

• Introduction to the Criminal Justice System (SW 311)
  This course examines responses to crime and the characteristics of the criminal justice system in the United States, its various components and current challenges to the system today. Attention is paid to the evolution of the system and comparison of problems and approaches both historically and cross-culturally. Particular emphasis is placed upon aspects of the system under change including various approaches to policing, victim assistance, sentencing and incarceration alternatives and the expanding role of community in protection, policing, and corrections. The course will stress efforts at prevention, community involvement, and alternatives in corrections. 

• Human Resources Development (SW 393S2)
  This course examines the development of human resources in organizational contexts. The roles, functions, and responsibilities of professionals in a variety of positions, including executives, supervisors, consumers, constituents, and consultants in organizations, are covered. Particular attention is directed toward issues of diverse workforce, technological change, and needs of client groups in efforts to create organizations that are responsive to the social, cultural and physical environment and creative in the development of products and services.

• Introduction to Human Services Administration (SW 360K/393S1)
  This is the first course for students selecting the Administration and Planning Specialization. It provides an introduction to major theories of organization and emphasizes foundation knowledge needed for effective practice in human service leadership and management. It includes coverage of management functions such as planning and goal setting, decision-making, leadership, personnel management, conflict resolution and negotiation, budgeting and fiscal management, effective participation on a management team, and providing leadership for a diverse workforce.

• Working with Youth Gangs (SW F360K/F393U3)
  This course examines the relative incidence of gangs among youth and the relations between adolescent self-development, the role of peer groups and the influence of peer culture.  It focuses on understanding the new approaches being used by police, prosecutors, community groups and the schools to prevent the development of gangs. It provides an overview of conceptual material and direct contact with community programs to work with gangs and gang prevention. Current research and policy issues in dealing with gang activity in Austin will be reviewed.  Various roles for working with youth and examining alternative approaches for working with gang members will be discussed.

• Basic Dynamics of Organizations and Communities (SW 384C7)
  This course examines the organizational context within which social services are delivered: how funding, mandate, and organizational arrangements influence service delivery, and factors to consider in efforts to modify existing organizational arrangements. The course also includes an overview of the development of the community in America and the interaction between communities and service organizations. Attention is given to particular elements of organizational and community dynamics affecting diverse gender and ethnic groups.

Austin Police Department

• Austin Police Department Leadership
  This course examines the organizational and community context within which human services are delivered: how community and organizational variables affect the achievement of responsive and rewarding community life. The course includes an overview of the development of the community in America and the interaction between communities and human service organizations with a special emphasis on law enforcement. Attention is given to particular elements of organizational and community dynamics affecting diverse gender and ethnic groups.

• Austin Police Department Cadet