Special Programs (OCPD)

Southern offers high-impact programs you can plug into now to build career-ready skills, leadership experience, and a competitive resume.

For questions, email ocpd@southernct.edu.

Grow with Google: Career Certificates

Free for current students and alumni.

Prepare for entry-level digital roles with Google’s professional certificates—self-paced, industry-recognized, and designed to stack with your degree.

Certificate Options

  • UX Design
  • Cybersecurity • Data Analytics
  • Digital Marketing & E-Commerce
  • Project Management
  • IT Support
  • IT Automation
  • Business Intelligence
  • Advanced Data Analytics

What You’ll Gain

  • Job-ready skills in months; no prior experience required
  • Portfolio artifacts and hands-on projects
  • Career support via OCPD while you learn

How to Register

Complete the following form to indicate your interest in participating in the SCSU OCPD Grow with Google initiative. You will then receive a confirmation email with the next steps.

SCSU Grow with Google Registration


Gold Leadership x OCPD (Leadership Experience)

OCPD partners with the Office of Student Involvement & Leadership Development to support the Gold Leadership Experience —  the final tier of Southern’s leadership certificate.

What You’ll Do

  • Join a team to tackle a real community challenge
  • Develop advanced leadership, project management, and stakeholder skills
  • Produce portfolio-ready deliverables and present outcomes

Who Should Apply

  • Priority for students who’ve completed Bronze/Silver
  • Juniors and seniors with prior leadership experience

How to Apply

Complete the Gold Leadership Program interest form and upload a short (~250-word) statement on “Why Gold?”. For questions, contact Romeo Rivera (riverar20@southernct.edu).

Interest Form


Eagle Toastmasters @ SCSU

Public Speaking & Leadership

Build confidence in public speaking, practice real-time leadership roles, and expand your network with a supportive, structured club environment.

When and Where

1st and 3rd Mondays, 7:15 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
ASC 309 (Check for updates)

Cost

Free for Fall 2025 as guests (membership options available in 2026).

Why Join

  • Career-ready communication skills
  • Low-stakes, high-feedback speaking practice
  • Leadership roles you can list on your resume

Get Started

Visit Toastmasters for the latest schedule/location, contact Jian Chan, or complete the interest form.

Interest Form


How OCPD Supports You Across These Programs

Career Coaching
Map your experiences to NACE competencies and resume language

Workshops
Interviewing, networking, LinkedIn, AI for job search, and more

Connections
Employer/alumni introductions and industry events

 

Ready to level up? Email ocpd@southernct.edu and tell us which program(s) you’re interested in. We’ll get you the next steps.