STAR Academy

About the Program

The program is self-paced. Each participant manages their enrollment and learning to meet the requirements of the Core Courses and Electives. Each course will be offered by HR twice a year. Workshops are open to all administrative professionals whether they want to pursue their certificate or attend individual sessions.

Participation is open to all administrative professionals across campus. Administrative Professionals are individuals across the institution whose work includes but is not limited to administrative tasks and coordination of information in support of an organization and the furthering of the goals and mission of that organization. Administrative Professionals are not defined by a title, they are instead defined by the type of work they perform. At Dartmouth, we see Administrative Professionals in some of the following titles: Office Manager, Library Specialist, Program and Events Coordinator, Cataloging and Metadata Specialist, and Executive Assistant. 

To get started, please send an email to Learning.Development@dartmouth.edu letting us know that you are interested in starting the program. We will then send you a checklist that will list the workshops and help you keep track of workshops you have taken.

Read the STAR Academy FAQs.

For questions, please contact Learning and Development at Learning.Development@dartmouth.edu or 603-646-3411

Workshops

View upcoming STAR Academy workshops. 

View upcoming Wellness workshops and Institutional Diversity and Equity events.

Course Completion

As the learner completes each requirement, they build their program portfolio. At the completion of all required courses, the individual emails Learning and Development with their completed checklist. All those who have attained a certificate each year will be recognized at the annual Administrative Professionals Celebration Program. 

Testimonials 

“Taking part in and completing the STAR Academy certificate program was a highlight of my first year with Dartmouth, and I see it as a significant addition to my onboarding experience. The diverse sessions were practical yet fun, and I enjoyed the opportunity to learn new skills and institutional best practices while meeting colleagues and new friends from across other departments and divisions. The instructors were engaging, welcoming, and enthusiastic, and brought real joy to each classroom, making every session a high point of my day. Well done, STAR Academy!”

- Steven M. Pomije

"I completed the STAR Academy certificate program early in my career at Dartmouth, and it was a remarkable experience! The interactive sessions, facilitated by knowledgeable and engaging instructors, were instrumental in helping me develop practical skills that I could immediately use both professionally and personally. I especially valued the small group discussions, which provided a fantastic opportunity to network and learn from my colleagues. By the end of the program, I felt a significant boost in my confidence and abilities. I highly recommend the STAR Academy program to anyone eager to enhance their skills and advance their career!"

- Joleen Peoples

"The STAR Academy is a fantastic self-paced program that helped me re-organize the way I work.  I learned so many tips, tricks, and new perspectives that have made me feel more confident in leading, communicating and completing everyday tasks.  I especially enjoyed the opportunity to reflect on my own personal being through the True Colors workshop.  This program really made me feel like a star!"

- Lydia Elias 

"I can whole heartedly recommend the Star Academy to anyone who would want to, not only advance their professional career, but also to those who would want to improve and grow their personal skills and real-life experience.

The courses cover many “nuts and bolts” type skills but most importantly emphasize the interpersonal skills and techniques that help us get through our everyday life. The most rewarding part is the fact that every course or session contains at least one or two breakout sessions. This allows everyone to have a chance to work and chat with people they might not normally have any contact with. To hear other experiences or lessons learn or observed is the best part, I thought, and the was the most that I took away and benefitted from.

All the instructors are fantastic! They all know the subject matter extremely well and all did a great job of keeping everyone involved and headed in the right direction, whether it be Zooming or in person. They were very knowledgeable and very friendly and made it enjoyable to be in sessions that, without a good instructor, could drag and not nearly be as useful as they could be.

Every day I use things that I learned and, more appropriately, experienced in real life situations in the Academy’s courses. I am glad that I went through all the courses and requirements, and I recommend it anyone who is interested in career advancement and gaining everyday skills and abilities."

- Rich Kuskowski