Welcome Discovery Senior Living Team Members!
Unlock your potential and elevate your impact with Level Up Learning—Discovery’s new series of high-impact, 90-minute virtual classes designed to strengthen the professional and leadership skills that matter most.
Level Up Learning classes are practical, engaging, and immediately applicable. Each class gives you the tools, insights, and confidence to take your performance—and your career—to the next level. Whether you're looking to sharpen communication, build stronger relationships, lead with greater influence, or navigate complex challenges, these sessions are built to help you grow with purpose and momentum.
Important Note: Bookmark this page to easily register as sessions become available.
For questions about this program, please reach out to Judy Whitcomb at jwhitcomb@discoveryseniorliving.com. For questions or issues with the enrollment process, please email executive.education@depaul.edu.
Who Should Attend
This program is for Discovery Senior Living team members. See session descriptions for more details on the target audience for each class.
Enrollment Expectations
- Courses fill quickly and many sessions have waitlists. Please enroll only in classes you can fully attend.
- Ensure you have the technology, connectivity, and environment necessary for an engaging virtual learning experience.
- Complete pre-class program assignments when required.
- Complete post-class assignments when required.
Full Participation Requirement
- Cameras must remain on for the duration of the session to support interactivity, collaboration, and engagement.
- Team members are expected to participate fully, including breakout discussions, activities, and chat interactions.
- Joining late or leaving early may forfeit credit for the course.
Attendance, Cancellations, & No-Show Policy
- Any cancellation must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance to allow another team member to enroll. To cancel, please email executive.education@depaul.edu.
- Cancellations made within 24 hours are considered late cancellations unless due to a documented business emergency.
- No-shows and late cancellations without a valid business emergency will result in a $250 charge to the team member’s department.
Requirements to Earn the Course Completion Badge
- Attend and participate in the entire course, from start to finish.
- Meet all engagement expectations, including camera-on participation.
- Partial attendance does not qualify for badge issuance or course completion.
- Badges are issued through Credly, which allows you to showcase your achievements and easily share them on platforms like LinkedIn or your digital resume.
Professional Courtesy & Learning Culture
- Treat these sessions as dedicated professional development time and an investment in you by Discovery!
- Please review this linked document for best practices for virtual learning.
July 22, 2026
Managing Performance Issues Effectively
<div class="ck-content"><p><strong>Facilitator</strong>: Judy Whitcomb, Kimberly Hoffman, and Marcela Hermosillo-Tarin</p><p><strong>Date/Time:</strong> July 22, 2026 - 1:00pm CT</p><p><strong>Format</strong>: 120-Minute Virtual Instructor-Led Session, 30 minutes pre-class and post-class assignment</p><p>This class is designed to help leaders confidently address employee performance challenges.</p><p>After this class, participants will be able to: </p><p style="margin-left:40px;">• <strong>Identify </strong>root causes of performance issues</p><p style="margin-left:40px;">• <strong>Prepare </strong>effectively for performance conversations</p><p style="margin-left:40px;">• <strong>Conduct </strong>difficult performance discussions with clarity, empathy, and confidence while managing resistance or emotion</p><p style="margin-left:40px;">• <strong>Document </strong>performance concerns accurately and objectively in alignment with organizational and legal expectations</p><p style="margin-left:40px;">• <strong>Navigate </strong>escalation and separation decisions, including managing terminations professionally and minimizing risk</p><p><strong>Target Audience</strong>: Managers of people</p></div>
July 29, 2026
Change Management for Leaders
<div class="ck-content"><p><strong>Facilitator</strong>: <a href="https://www.depaul.edu/faculty/robert-s-rubin">Robert Rubin</a>, Faculty at DePaul University</p><p><strong>Date/Time:</strong> July 29, 2026 - 1:00pm CT</p><p><strong>Format</strong>: 90-Minute Virtual Instructor-Led Session</p><p>Change is constant—how leaders navigate it directly determines the success of their people, their teams, and the organization. During this workshop, leaders will explore a practical, human-centered approach to managing and leading change. Participants will learn how to anticipate reactions to change, communicate with clarity and empathy, and guide their teams through uncertainty with confidence.</p><p>Using real-world scenarios and simple, repeatable tools, leaders will build the mindset and skillset needed to support employees through transitions—from small process updates to major organizational shifts. The session equips leaders with actionable tools to increase buy-in, minimize resistance, and create a culture that adapts effectively and sustainably.</p><p>After this class, participants will be able to: </p><p style="margin-left:40px;">• <strong>Explain the reality of constant change</strong> and why leadership behaviors—not the change itself—most influence team adoption and success.</p><p style="margin-left:40px;">• <strong>Recognize common emotional and behavioral responses to change</strong> using a simple change-curve framework.</p><p style="margin-left:40px;">• <strong>Apply a structured approach to leading change </strong>including preparing, communicating, and reinforcing change with their teams.</p><p style="margin-left:40px;">• <strong>Communicate change effectively</strong> by using clarity, transparency, and empathy to increase trust and engagement.</p><p style="margin-left:40px;">• <strong>Identify sources of resistance</strong> and use coaching techniques to address concerns constructively.</p><p style="margin-left:40px;">• <strong> Support team members through transitions</strong> by using tools provided.</p><p style="margin-left:40px;">• <strong>Create an action plan</strong> to apply the tools and strategies to an upcoming or current change in their business area.</p><p><strong>Target Audience</strong>: Team members, particularly leaders who lead or support change on their teams or within the organization.</p></div>
August 5, 2026
An Introduction to Negotiation Skills
<div class="ck-content"><p><strong>Facilitator</strong>: <a href="https://www.depaul.edu/faculty/michelle-g-caplan">Michelle G. Caplan</a>, Faculty at DePaul University</p><p><strong>Date/Time:</strong> August 5, 2026 - 1:00pm CT</p><p><strong>Format</strong>: 90-Minute Virtual Instructor-Led Session, 30 minute required pre-class assignment.</p><p>In this interactive virtual course, participants will learn how to prepare effectively for negotiations by focusing on interests rather than positions. They will explore strategies for gathering and using information to identify strong alternatives to a negotiated agreement. The session also equips learners with practical techniques for navigating difficult negotiations and managing challenging personalities with confidence and clarity. </p><p>After this class, participants will be able to: </p><p style="margin-left:40px;">• <strong>Explain the importance</strong> of effective preparation</p><p style="margin-left:40px;">• <strong>Describe the benefits</strong> of negotiating over interests and no positions</p><p style="margin-left:40px;">• <strong>Use information </strong>to identify alternatives to a negotiated agreement</p><p style="margin-left:40px;">• <strong>Understand and apply</strong> the tenets of dealing with difficult negotiations and people</p><p><strong>Target Audience</strong>: Team members who have responsibility for negotiation either internally or externally. This is an introductory course.</p></div>
August 19, 2026
So, You Want to Be a Leader? Strategies for Early Career Leadership Development
<div class="ck-content"><p><strong>Facilitator</strong>: <a href="https://www.depaul.edu/faculty/jaclyn-jensen">Dr. Jaclyn Jensen</a>, Faculty at DePaul University</p><p><strong>Date/Time:</strong> August 19, 2026 - 1:00pm CT</p><p><strong>Format</strong>: 90-Minute Virtual Instructor-Led Session</p><p>Leadership begins long before you have a title. In this interactive session, participants will explore practical strategies to accelerate their leadership development, build meaningful relationships with mentors and sponsors, and strengthen the confidence needed to lead effectively. Learners will discover how to expand their professional network, establish credibility, and increase their influence through everyday leadership behaviors. Whether you're aspiring to lead a team or simply looking to expand your impact, this course provides actionable tools to help you take the next step in your leadership journey.</p><p><strong>Target Audience</strong>: Aspiring Leaders</p></div>
September 16, 2026
Tackling the Transition from Individual Contributor to Leader
<div class="ck-content"><p><strong>Facilitator: </strong><a href="https://www.depaul.edu/faculty/erich-c-dierdorff">Dr. Erich Dierdorff</a>, Faculty at DePaul University</p><p><strong>Date/Time:</strong> September 16, 2026 - 1:00pm CT</p><p><strong>Format</strong>: 90-Minute Virtual Instructor-Led Session</p><p>Making the transition from individual contributor to leader is one of the most challenging and rewarding career milestones. In this session, participants will explore the fundamental responsibilities of leadership, identify common pitfalls new managers face, and learn practical strategies to successfully navigate their first six months in a leadership role. Drawing on proven practices, learners will develop tools to build credibility, lead others effectively, and establish a foundation for long-term success. Participants will also explore how adopting a continuous learning mindset can accelerate their growth as leaders.</p><p><strong>Target Audience</strong>: New or Aspiring Leaders</p></div>