Duke Employees Reach New Milestones Through Certificate Programs

From leadership to communication skills, 63 certificates were awarded in the past year, bringing total completions since 2014 to 820

People clapping at a ceremony
Recipients of Certificates of Excellence applaud their colleagues during a ceremony in early June. Photo by Stephen Schramm.

As Cathy Browning walked to the stage to receive a certificate for completing the Star Achievement Series professional development program, her daughter, Phoebe, couldn’t contain her pride.

“That’s my Mom!” Phoebe, 14, shouted from the audience during Duke Learning & Organization Development’s recent Certificates of Excellence ceremony at Penn Pavilion.

Browning, an Administrative Specialist with Duke University Health System’s Center for Clinical Learning & Development, had been warned her daughter wasn’t likely to stay quiet.

“I was still a little shocked, but it was special to have her with me,” Browning said.

Duke Vice President for Human Resources Antwan Lofton applauds the Certificates of Excellence recipients. Photo by Stephen Schramm.

The annual ceremony drew a few dozen staff members and their families, friends and colleagues to celebrate the culmination of their professional development journeys. Over the past year, 59 staff members completed 63 certificate programs offered by Duke Learning & Organization Development (L&OD), a unit in Duke Human Resources.

“You made a promise to be the best version of yourself that you can be,” Antwan Lofton, Vice President for Duke Human Resources, told the group. “By finishing and keeping that promise to yourself, you’re able to show up and be that best version to others as well as to the Duke community. And for that we’re very thankful.”

Duke employes can earn Certificates of Excellence by completing a curated series of courses in related subjects in a three-year period. During the past 12 months, 26 employees earned Certificates of Excellence for Management & Leadership, Self-Leadership, Supervisory and Communications. Meanwhile, 23 staff members completed the Star Achievement Series program, which leads to the Certified Executive Administrative Professional designation, while 12 completed the Society for Human Resources Management Certification Exam Prep Course.

Since the Certificates of Excellence launch in 2014, L&OD has recorded 820 certificate completions.

Assistant Vice President for Learning & Organization Development Keisha Williams presents a Certificate of Excellence to Cathy Browning of Duke University Health System's Center for Clinical Learning & Development. Photo by Stephen Schramm.

“As learning needs evolve, it’s critical that we provide access to deeper, more targeted resources,” said Assistant Vice President, Learning & Organization Development Keisha Williams. “Our employees are looking for meaningful ways to engage with complex topics and build the capabilities needed to navigate challenges effectively.”

Laura Strickland, a Duke Neurosurgery Lab Research Analyst attended the ceremony after earning the Supervisory and Communication Certificates of Excellence. As the supervisor for a team of 10, Strickland said the experience helped her find thoughtful ways to lead and articulate needs with colleagues.

“I learned so much,” Strickland said. “These are skills that should be taught and everyone in leadership positions should take these courses.”

For more information on the Certificates of Excellence programs, contact Associate Director for Leadership & Professional Development and Certificates of Excellence Program Director Joy Birmingham.

2026 Certificate of Excellence Recipients

  • Allison Neuman, Management & Leadership
  • Matt Page, Management & Leadership
  • Diana Pena, Management & Leadership
  • Joshua Pontsler, Management & Leadership
  • Catherine Ritchey, Management & Leadership
  • Cherrelle Blackwell, Supervisory
  • Jason Boucher, Supervisory
  • Aretha Burford Cooper, Supervisory
  • Tammi Deal, Supervisory
  • Sukhi Singh, Supervisory
  • Laura Strickland, Supervisory
  • Jennifer Woods, Supervisory
  • Venita Alderman, Self-Leadership
  • Jacqueline Dozar, Self-Leadership
  • Amanda Hatchett-Young, Self-Leadership
  • Jillian Kuhn, Self-Leadership
  • Kimberly Tisdale, Self-Leadership
  • Max Betts, Communication
  • Maya Brown, Communication
  • Sabrina Diaz, Communication
  • Jason Hackney, Communication
  • David McKay, Communication
  • Mai Nguyen, Communication
  • Matt Page, Communication
  • Christina Ridd, Communication
  • Sarah Royce, Communication
  • Laura Strickland, Communication
  • Brenda Whiteman, Communication
  • Leona Alford, Star Achiever
  • Debra Allen, Star Achiever
  • Janet Alston, Star Achiever
  • Rachel Arp, Star Achiever
  • Aondrea Bellamy, Star Achiever
  • Jennifer Bowen, Star Achiever
  • Cathy Browning, Star Achiever
  • Tamika Craige, Star Achiever
  • Joy Cross, Star Achiever
  • Carlos De La Cruz Rangel, Star Achiever
  • Michele Friedlein, Star Achiever
  • Maria Fryar, Star Achiever
  • Neiah Hunter, Star Achiever
  • Tonya Jacobs, Star Achiever
  • Wendy Morman, Star Achiever
  • Christine Naylor, Star Achiever
  • Tara Parker, Star Achiever
  • Becky Pendergraft, Star Achiever
  • Cynthia Rice, Star Achiever
  • Courtney Richardson, Star Achiever
  • Sarah Royce, Star Achiever
  • Camille Wells, Star Achiever
  • Danielle Young, Star Achiever
  • Sydney Allgood, SHRM Certification Exam Prep
  • Cherrelle Blackwell, SHRM Certification Exam Prep
  • Elizabeth Butler, SHRM Certification Exam Prep
  • Muriel Canup, SHRM Certification Exam Prep
  • Tuwana Cash Garrett, SHRM Certification Exam Prep
  • Alexis Gray, SHRM Certification Exam Prep
  • Morgan Hendrix, SHRM Certification Exam Prep
  • Sara Howe, SHRM Certification Exam Prep
  • Tawana Reed, SHRM Certification Exam Prep
  • Denise Stephens, SHRM Certification Exam Prep
  • Angie Keith, SHRM Certification Exam Prep
  • Kim Johnson, SHRM Certification Exam Prep

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