Professional Edge Seminar Series
Practical, Timely, Tailored, Free
Free one-hour professional development seminars
Professional Edge offers complimentary one-hour professional development sessions that allow participants to glean relevant and actionable insight from KU’s graduate faculty. Based on their extensive experience in a variety of fields, the faculty present engaging content on pertinent and on-point topics.
The program aims to support local, state, and global businesses by providing virtual development opportunities that are open for anyone to register, including both individuals and employee groups.
Companies have the option to schedule a private event for their employees. Choose from a variety of available topics or request your own. The Professional Edge sessions are generally delivered virtually, but in-person sessions are also available for corporate events.
To schedule a corporate event, contact Julie Myer, Ph.D., at proedge@ku.edu.
Professional Edge seminars are available in these areas
- Cybersecurity, information technology, and software engineering and management
- Professional management and communication
- Project management
- Engineering management and technical leadership
- Environment, soils, and climate
- Geology and hydrogeology
Upcoming webinars
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Introduction to Lean Six Sigma | December 11, 2025 | 11:00 am
Dr. Heather McCain will provide a clear and practical overview of Lean Six Sigma (LSS), a powerful methodology that combines the principles of Lean and Six Sigma to drive significant improvements. You will learn how LSS utilizes a structured project management approach, often following the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) model, to enhance the efficiency and quality of products, processes, and services. The session is a high-level review of the core concepts, tools, and the practical application of LSS, empowering you to identify opportunities for improvement within your own work and organization.
By the end of this session, you will be able to:
- Define and differentiate the core concepts of Lean (focused on waste reduction) and Six Sigma (focused on variation reduction) and explain how their integration creates the LSS methodology.
- Identify how LSS can be applied to solve real-world problems and contribute to personal and organizational goals, such as increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and improving customer satisfaction.
- Describe the fundamental steps of the LSS process, including the DMAIC model, and discuss the basic tools and techniques used at each stage.
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Rightsizing Stream Setbacks in the Kansas City Region | January 23, 2026 | 11:00 am
Join KU Professor of the Practice Scott Schulte, M.U.P., ENV SP, for a discussion of the future of stormwater planning and design in the Kansas City metropolitan area. This session will highlight the importance of vegetated stream buffers and updated stream setback criteria in achieving resilient, sustainable watershed management.
This presentation will:
- Synthesize and analyze relevant research, plans, studies, and findings from the region and across the nation.
- Describe lessons learned about reducing risks and optimizing flood protection, stream stability, and water quality.
- Consider the added value of greenway corridors for recreational access and habitat connectivity.
- Discuss how these findings inform American Public Works Association (APW) Section 5600 stream setback and design criteria.
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Build Your Brand on LinkedIn | February 25, 2026 | 11:00 am
Join KU Program Director and Professor of the Practice Dr. Becky Achen for actionable steps to build your brand on LinkedIn. LinkedIn is more than a digital resume; it’s a platform for building your professional brand. This webinar will show you five ways you can boost your brand using LinkedIn.
Learn best practices for content creation, commenting, and networking that foster authentic connections and long-term visibility. Perfect for professionals ready to move beyond passive presence and actively grow their influence and connections.