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Mission & Core Values

It is our mission to empower people of all career and educational levels to experience success by creating and offering training that is fast and practical. We envision a workforce where everyone has the opportunity for a brighter future.

SERVE – We put learners, employers, and communities first by delivering responsive, practical workforce solutions that meet evolving needs. Through trusted partnerships and personalized support, we are committed to helping each person in the workforce succeed.

ELEVATE – We empower individuals, businesses, companies, and organizations to achieve their goals through high-quality, career-focused education. By fostering lifelong learning and professional growth, we help build the skills, confidence, and credentials needed to advance in today’s workforce.

INNOVATE – We embrace innovation, emerging technologies, and forward-thinking strategies to create relevant, flexible learning experiences. We continuously evolve our programs to prepare today’s workforce for tomorrow’s opportunities.

The Center for Professional Development delivers innovative, industry-driven training that supports lifelong learning and workforce advancement. We partner with individuals, businesses, and organizations to develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in an ever-changing world. Guided by integrity, creativity, and collaboration, we are committed to creating meaningful opportunities for growth and success.

Why We’re Different

At The Center for Professional Development, we believe advancing your career should be simple, flexible, and focused on your goals. Unlike traditional degree programs, you don’t have to enroll in a program or commit to semesters of coursework. Instead, you choose the training that fits your career goals or your organization’s needs. Whether you are preparing for an industry-recognized certification, building new job-ready skills, or adding valuable credentials to your résumé, our practical, self-paced training helps you reach your goals on your schedule. As an auxiliary of the University of the Cumberlands, you receive training backed by a trusted, regionally accredited university commitment to delivering high-quality, outcome-driven education.

Our Story

The Center for Professional Development was created to connect education with the evolving needs of today’s workforce. We accomplish this by develop learning opportunities and trainings that address real workforce challenges and support career growth across a wide range of industries. Our commitment to serve, elevate, and innovate enables us to create training that is relevant, accessible, and responsive to today’s learners’ needs. Through our affiliation with the University of the Cumberlands, we build on a strong foundation of academic excellence while delivering practical, innovative training that prepares individuals and organizations for success.

INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY

Organizations that invest in training and certification for their employees experience a 10% increase in productivity on average.”

IBM,

Stat Report

Certification

65% of employers say certification programs result in a more productive and knowledgeable workforce.

HR Certification Institute,

Stat Report

Course Collab

With our collaboration, students can improve their job prospects with a certificate that employers will recognize.

ed2go,

Changing Life for the Better

Opportunity

64% of IT professionals reported that earning certifications led to new job opportunities.

CompTIA,

Stat Report

EKCEP

We are excited to partner with the Center for Professional Development to offer valuable training opportunities to our workforce clients. The training will equip individuals with the skills and the knowledge necessary to excel in remote or in-person customer service positions.

Becky Carnes-Miller,

EKCEP Executive Director