Signature Program Academy is an educational program for Extension professionals that fosters accelerated learning in program design, delivery and management. If you are an SDSU Extension professional seeking to develop a new signature program or refine an old one, this program is for you! Through both virtual and hands-on learning, our experts will lead educational experiences to help you develop a high-quality program plan, educational delivery techniques, and implementation plan. This course also provides an opportunity for you to sharpen a variety of core competencies expected of you as an Extension professional.
Benefits to Participants
- Deep, tangible competency training in key areas of program design, education program design, evaluation, implementation and management
- Hybrid course that provides both synchronous and asynchronous elements to allow for flexibility in busy work schedules
- Training in education techniques to generate bold ideas as you navigate educating community members, often in non-traditional settings
- Trainer and cohort support and feedback
- Expert support for your unique programmatic needs
- Topics will be timely, relevant and rigorous
- Extension professional networking and collaboration opportunities
- Former onboarding participant? This course covers new content, offers a few different instructors and provides a more individualized focus for those topics we did cover in onboarding
Eligibility
- Full-time SDSU Extension employee with supervisor approval
- Must have completed SDSU Extension Onboarding OR have supervisor approval with 3+ years of experience with SDSU Extension
- Participants must have a desire to build their skills, a willingness to contribute to the sessions through discussion, showcase opportunities and shared input.
Participation Details
- An online course
- A monthly, live Zoom meeting
- Three in-person workshop sessions
The course starts January 26, 2026, and concludes by May 2026. The 15-week course is made up of pre-recorded online content, live zoom webinar sessions and three in-person workshops. Participants can expect to spend approximately one to three hours each week with the online content. There will be minimal online requirements the weeks we meet in-person.
Participants should hold the following dates on their calendars for in-person participation: February 10 – 11 (Brookings); March 18 – 19 (Pierre); April 28 – 29 (Rapid City). You cannot be successful in the course without attending the in-person sessions so please be sure to reserve these travel dates on your calendar. Some sessions might be reduced to a one-day event, but we ask you to hold both dates for each session while agendas are refined.
Application
If approved, there are no registration fees to participate in the course but participants will need to use their O&M or Professional Development funds for any travel costs associated with this training.
Applications are due December 19, 2025. Class size is limited so early registration is recommended. The administrative team will determine which participants will make-up the first cohort. Registrants will be notified of their participation status by January 2, 2026. To apply for this course, fill out the form below.