NIH Training Center
Highlights Newsletter

Learn... Discover... Grow...

Watch and Nominate Next DDM Seminar Speakers

Highlights DDM with John Amaechi Feature

July 11, 2024 — John Amaechi   
“Building Effective Teams”

Please join us for the final Deputy Director for Management (DDM) seminar of FY24. The July 11th session features John Amaechi, who will discuss the importance of cognitive diversity while aligning personal and business values and ethics in forming teams that can achieve organizational goals.

The DDM Seminar Series offers the NIH community engaging presentations to provide meaningful insights into leadership and management concepts, challenges, and solutions. Please join the DDM seminar on July 11, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. For details and to register, visit the DDM Seminar Series website. 

Now Open: DDM Seminar Series Speaker Nomination Period 

The DDM invites you to submit speaker nominations (must be on VPN to access) for the FY25 DDM Seminar Series. Let’s aim for another stellar year of timely and provocative speakers to inspire our NIH community of leaders. Nominations are open July 1–31. Please nominate a great speaker today.

Contact NIHTrainingCenter@nih.gov with questions or comments. 


Mark Your Calendars with End-of-Fiscal Year Deadlines

Mark Your Calendars with End-of-FY Deadlines Graphic

Our goal at the NIH Training Center (NIHTC) is to ensure you and your IC receive outstanding customer service. That’s why we are sharing these important deadlines as FY24 draws to a close. Interested in renewing an executive coaching agreement or registering for an open enrollment class?  Don’t miss your chance! 

Jul. 
08

Deadline to submit a new Executive or Team Coaching Request

Deadline to request a Closed Enrollment Class to be conducted in FY24.

Aug. 02  Last day to renew an existing Executive Coaching Agreement. For renewals, you must be very close to utilizing all hours on your current engagement by Sept 30th. Notify Keisha Berkley of your interest.
Aug. 30  Last day for all student registrations in a September 2024 NIHTC open enrollment class to be approved by managers and administrative officers in the Learning Management System (LMS) with a valid CAN. 
Sept. 05  Last day for a student to drop a September 2024 NIHTC open enrollment class. 

Looking forward to learning opportunities for next fiscal year? Registration for FY25 classes opens in October. Check the NIHTC website in early October, when the FY25 course catalog will be posted for viewing and registration.

Email NIHTrainingCenter@nih.gov or call us at 301-496-6211 with questions. 


2025 NIH Career and Leadership Development Program Updates

Cal for Senior Leadership Program 2025 Nominations

The NIHTC has opportunities to advance your skills and build a strong network across the NIH. We’ve outlined the timeframes for upcoming calls for nomination for our career and leadership development programs. Let your supervisor know if you want to be considered for one of the program opportunities below, before the call for nominations goes out to Executive Officers.

Emerging Talent Program (ETP)

Target Audience GS 5–11 employees and equivalents.
Nomination Period The 2025 ETP call for nominations will begin early November 2024. Monitor the ETP website for updates.
Program Contact NIHTC-ETP@nih.gov

Management Seminar Series (MSS)

Target Audience GS 7-12, Management Interns, Presidential Management Fellows, and non-supervisory GS-13 NIH employees. 
Nomination Period The 2025 MSS call for nominations will begin mid‑October 2024. Monitor the MSS website for updates.
Program Contact Rick Hawkins, NIHTC Program Manager

Mid-level Leadership Program (MLP)

Target Audience GS-12, 13, 14, and equivalent leaders. 
Nomination Period The 2025 MLP call for nominations will begin late August 2024. Monitor the MLP website for updates.
Program Contact Bob Michon, NIHTC Program Manager

Senior Leadership Program (SLP)

Target Audience
GS-14/15, SES, and equivalent leaders. 
 
 
Nomination Period The 2025 SLP call for nominations will begin early September 2024. Monitor the SLP website for updates.
Program Contact Sandy Giordano, NIHTC Program Manager

The NIH Training Center is also pleased to announced that an extra Executive Leadership Program session will run in 2025-26. Stay tuned for more news on the applications and nominations process in January 2025.

Visit the NIH Continuum of Career Development and the NIH Continuum of Leadership Development websites to see which program is the right choice for you. If you have questions about NIH Career and Leadership Development Programs, reach out to the program contacts listed above. 


Soft Skills Summer Is Here

Soft Skills September changing to Soft Skills Summer

Soft Skills Summer is now in full swing - and extends into September this fiscal year! What better way to use end-of-year funds than to invest in yourself and your team? Register for a professional development course to help advance your skills, become a more effective leader, and expand your NIH professional network. Whatever your topic of interest, we have a course for you. Seats are limited for the popular classes. Click on the schedule below and register today! 

Soft Skills Summer Schedule


How Can We Assist You? 

Selecting the right training from many options can seem overwhelming. We are here to help! Send an email to an NIHTC Program Manager with your questions or join their office hours to meet with them virtually. The majority of Program Managers have office hours. Here’s your opportunity to ask specific questions about the various classes and programs they manage

Office Hours Sign

Bob Michon: 
Pre-retirement classes, DDM Seminar Series, Individual Development Plan (IDP) Consulting, Mid-Level Leadership Program, Internal Leadership Coaching
Mondays 1:30PM-2:30PM and Fridays 12:30PM-1:30PM

Sandy Giordano: 
Senior Leadership Program, Supervisory Skills Training, NIH Title 42 Training, Federal HR for Admin Professionals Training, and NIH Mandatory Training
Tuesdays 1:00PM-2:00PM and Thursdays 1:00PM-2:00PM

Michele Schwartzman: 
LMS Administrator Training
Thursdays 10:00AM-11:00AM

Rick Hawkins: 
Management Intern Program, Individual Development Plan (IDP) Consulting, and the Management Seminar Series
Mondays 10:00AM-11:00AM

Virginia (Verzhiniya) Tancheva: 
Budget & Data Skills Courses, Purchase Card Training, and Group Training
Mondays 1:00PM-2:00PM and Fridays 1:00PM-2:00PM

Check out the conversation that took place when we dropped in on Bob Michon’s office hours:

NIHTC:  How do people connect with you during office hours? 

Bob: First, thanks for dropping in. My office hours are twice per week, Mondays from 1:30-2:30 and Fridays from 12:30-1:30. The most direct way to reach me is to do what you did—click on the link to my personal Zoom room during those hours. Of course, you can always email me and request that I send you a link with my office hour times. 

NIHTC: What kinds of things do you discuss during your office hours, Bob? 

Bob: Goodness, it ranges across so many topics! I manage a number of programs including the Mid-level Leadership Program, the DDM Seminar SeriesIDP Consulting and WorkshopsInternal Leadership Coaching, and Pre-retirement Preparedness classes. Though by no means the expert in any of those program areas, I do receive a fair number of questions asking to clarify some features of these important classes and programs. 

NIHTC: Are there particular topics that you really enjoy discussing? 

Bob: I’m so glad you asked that! A common theme in the above programs is that they address the intent of people who wish to have a greater impact in a position they’re currently in or one that they aspire to be in. So, a common topic is discussing how a program might further that intent. That discussion on possible learning pathways for people who have that intent is one that I love.   

NIHTC: Anything else you’d like to share with our readers? 

Bob: Consider joining our office hours! Training Center Program Managers are available to answer your questions and provide guidance on your learning and development needs.

Contact NIHTrainingCenter@nih.gov with questions and to learn more about office hours.


Exciting Changes to LMS Administrator Training in FY25

Blended Learning Graphic

Get ready for a new way to attend LMS Administrator Training in FY25. We’re adding more options to complete Learning Administrator and Local Learning Registrar classes. The virtual instructor-led classes will continue to be offered once per quarter, and a new blended learning option will be available. Students will complete a self-paced online training followed by a hands-on lab component. After completing the self-paced online course, students can register for one of the monthly lab sessions to demonstrate skills learned with an instructor. The virtual lab will also provide students with the opportunity to ask questions before assuming their new LMS Administrator role. 

Stay tuned for more exciting news from the LMS Administrator Training Program in the months ahead. In the meantime, there are still opportunities to attend FY24 LMS Administrator Trainings in their current delivery format—click the links to register.

LMS Learning Administrator

LMS Local Learning Registrar

In addition, if you are an LMS Administrator, be sure to attend the bimonthly LMS Administrator office hours. Keep an eye out for LMS Administrator listserv notifications with details on attending. 

For more information and guidance, visit the LMS Support website or contact NIHTrainingCenter@nih.gov


Acquisition Recertification: A Success

In 2022, HHS transitioned the recertification period for Federal Acquisition Certifications to a common time period of May 1, 2022–April 30, 2024. Acquisition workforce professionals holding designations in Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C), Contracting Officer’s Representatives (FAC‑COR), and Program and Project Managers (FAC-P/PM) were required to meet the continuous learning points (CLP) requirement by April’s deadline to maintain and keep that designation. 

While acquisition workforce professionals had a wide array of options to obtain their CLPs, the NIHTC jumped into action by increasing the second quarter acquisition training schedule, adding 20 additional classes. Announcements posted on the NIHTC website, monthly email bulletins to the acquisition community, Viva Engage (Yammer) posts, and Highlights newsletter articles let the NIH community know about these classes. Congratulations to all who obtained their recertification before the April deadline!  

Highlights Acquisitions Article Graphic FY23 Q1-Q2
Highlights Acquisitions Article Graphic FY24 Q1-Q2

Check out the NIHTC Acquisition Management catalog to learn about the more than 25 classes available, how many CLPs you can earn for each, and to register for an upcoming FY24 offering. Contact acquisition training program manager, Nabilah Pape with questions.

Stay Informed with Training Insights

Hands holding a cell phone that reads, "What's New?"

Check out our Training Insights page to keep up with the latest happenings at the NIHTC. Get the latest Training Center news, upcoming events, and course spotlights. Make sure to check it every few weeks for updates throughout the fiscal year.

Communities Corner

Join our communities to stay in the know!

  • NIHTC Listserv – Receive updates about NIHTC news and events. 
  • TCF/ICMTC – If you are a training or workforce development professional, or manage mandatory training requirements for your IC, consider joining the NIH Training Collaborative Forum (TCF) or IC Mandatory Training Committee (ICMTC). 
  • NIHTC Acquisition Training News – Join the Viva Engage (Yammer) community to learn more about acquisition training offered at the NIHTC.  

Editors and Contributors

Editorial Team
Danielle Sullivan, Editor
Barb LeClair, Managing Editor
Elena Juris, Editor in Chief
John Edmond, Media Content and Web Specialist

Contributors
Keisha Berkley
Sandy Giordano
Barb LeClair
Bob Michon
Nabilah Pape
Michele Schwartzman
Pam Welbon