Training & Development
WSU believes is it important to provide employees with opportunities for professional growth and development. Not only does it improve the success of university operations, but also the satisfaction of our employees as individuals.
All WSU employees have access to their own LinkedIn Learning account which offers access to thousands of courses across hundreds of topics.
Find courses that intrigue you and learn at your own pace!
The annual Minnesota State Frontline Conference site offers a broad array of professional development sessions.
Attendees attend breakout sessions on a wide variety of professional development topics, and networking opportunities are provided throughout the conference.
IFO employees are allocated a specific amount for professional development activities per the IFO collective bargaining agreement (PDF).
ASF employees qualify for Professional Improvement Fund (PIF) grants per the MSUAASF collective bargaining agreement (PDF).
Tuition Waiver
Learn what you want when you want. WSU offers most employees, their spouses, and dependents a tuition waiver benefit based on their union contracts and salary plans.
The waiver covers the cost of tuition and, in some cases, course fees.
All participants must submit an online Tuition Waiver Application form no later than 10 days following the start of the course for which the student is seeking to waive tuition and/or fees.
Tuition Waiver ApplicationFind more details:
- Tuition Waiver Matrix (PDF)
- Tuition Waiver Taxation (PDF)
- Tuition Waiver Reference Guide (PDF)
- MAPE Professional Development Matrix (PDF)
Winona State University employees are required to take specific trainings upon initial hire and each year they are employed through:
- State of Minnesota Self Service under Learning Management
- D2L Brightspace
You will be informed of your assigned trainings and completion deadlines via your WSU email.
Employee Learning Management (ELM) Instructions
The Employee Learning Management (ELM) system hosts most of the required training for employees.
To access the ELM courses, you will log into the State of Minnesota Self Service portal using your eight digit State ID (SEMA4) and password and then:
- Choose the “State of MN Self Service” link
- Choose the “Enterprise Learning Mgmt (ELM)” link
- Choose the “Enterprise Learning Mgmt (ELM)” folder
- Choose the “Find Learning” option under Quick Links and then search for the title of the course
To re-launch a course you already started, choose the “My Learning” Quick Link option.
If you need help, review the ELM Technical Help Guide (PDF) or ELM Learning Home YouTube video.
Reasons for Required Training
Minnesota State Board Policy states that all employees must receive training on the following:
- System Procedure 1C.0.1, Employee Code of Conduct.
- Proper handling of government data (data privacy and security)
Minnesota State Board Policy 1B.1, Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination in Employment and Education, requires that all employees must receive training on Sexual harassment prevention. Employees who act as investigators or decision makers under System Procedure 1B.1 must receive additional training, and employees who serve on search committees must receive specific search-related training.
Minnesota State policy, explained in Vice Chancellor Laura King’s memo of June 6, 2014 (available via campus CFOs) clarifies the requirements for training related to the Internal Control and Accountability Code of Conduct.
All supervisors must receive supervisory training per Minnesota Management and Budget Administrative Procedure 21 (eff. date. 01-19/1995), ref. Minn. Stat. Section 43A.21 (2007).
All employees responsible for emergency operations management or provide direct operational support to their campus’s All Hazard Plan must receive National Incident Management System (NIMS) training per Governor’s Executive Order 05-02.
State of Minnesota Minimum Fleet Safety Standards require state agencies to ensure drivers complete defensive driving course within 30 days of being authorized to drive on state business, and a refresher course at least every three years thereafter.
The Campus SAVE act requires that all new students, faculty, and staff are offered sexual violence awareness training.
All employees who have potential for exposure to hazardous substances, harmful physical agents, or infectious agents in their workplace must receive training under Employee Right to Know program. (Initial training: before assignment, refresher training; annual updates and brief summary.) (29 CFR 1910.1200.)
All employees whose responsibilities include hazardous waste management, storage, transport or record keeping must receive hazardous waste training. (Initial Training: within six months of hiring or assignment to new position; refresher training; annual review of hazardous waste management.) [Large Quantity Generators, 40 CFR 265.16; Small or Very Small Quantity Generators, 40 CFR 262.34(d)(5)(iii).]
All employees and students who are reasonably anticipated to have contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials in the course of their work or student activities must receive training on blood borne pathogens. [Initial training: before assignment, refresher training; annual update and brief summary. (29 CFR 1910.1030.)]
All employees who are responsible for emergency operations management must receive training under the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
Learning opportunities expand beyond the requirements. Employees are encouraged to pursue professional development opportunities to expand their skills and interests.
Campus Trainings
Various WSU departments offer trainings opportunities such as:
- Equity & Inclusive Excellence Programs
- Safety Training
- Technology Training
Leadership Development
Minnesota State offers several internal leadership development programs for supervisors, managers, mid-level leaders, and executives.
The Luoma Leadership Academy is an intensive development program for a cohort of individuals who aspire to future leadership positions or want to improve their leadership skills in their current position.
Supervisory Training: Art and Science of Supervision are training programs for new and experienced supervisors in our system. E-learning content, online resources and in-depth seminars help all leaders in our system to become more effective.
New Administrator Orientation and Coaching is an annual orientation for new administrators with individual coaching sessions.
Academic Dean Orientation is an e-learning course for all new and interim academic deans, focusing on the specialized duties and the knowledge needed to excel in this role.
An e-learning course designed to help administrators understand their financial duties.
Register in ELM and a login link to the program will be sent to you.
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Training & Resources
- Minnesota State Training Video: Understanding the Law
- Non-exempt employee travel & “On-Call” Compensation: DOL Fact Sheet #22: Hours Worked Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- Guide for Noting Non-Exempt Training in eTimesheets (PDF)