Irvine, Calif. − December 8, 2008 − Chapman University College, a nonprofit higher education institution that provides adult learners with access to a quality education with convenient sessions and campuses consistent with the needs of their busy lives, recently utilized its Leadership Services Program in collaboration with Irvine-based Allergan, a leading developer of pharmaceuticals, biologics and medical devices, to create a customized program to teach core leadership skills to its managers.

 

“At Allergan, we recognized the need to provide our employees, who were promoted from technical positions into managerial positions, with the skills they would require to succeed in their new roles” said Donna Thiessen, vice president, human resources and global talent development, Allergan, Inc. “Chapman University College’s Leadership Development Program provided Allergan with a customizable solution developed in collaboration with our leadership team and Chapman’s expert instructors who brought real-world experience to our specific challenges.”

 

“Organizations often promote people into leadership positions because of their technical skills, but if they lack the ability to lead teams, communicate effectively, appropriately manage conflict, or understand how to lead in a global environment, it can impede progress and negatively impact the bottom line,” said Cheri Sherman, director, Leadership Services Program, Chapman University College.

 

“We worked with Allergan in a very unique way to create a comprehensive leadership program that meets the strategic goals of the organization and incorporated internal sessions already in place at the company such as ‘Managing at Allergan’ to bridge learning with the new program,” she added.

 

Allergan managers worked on several organizational challenges that resulted in what Sherman calls “high-impact solutions.” These challenges were addressed in eight sessions covering self management; leading teams, strategic thinking and planning, managing change, financial concepts and the power of cultural competence.

Leadership Services Program

During the final capstone meeting in September, program participants gave final presentations to Allergan’s leadership team on recommended solutions to current organizational challenges.

 

“These final presentations allowed both participant and leadership to see how the learning from the Chapman program would be applied in the workplace to create sustainable business solutions; many of which will be implemented and will serve as a model for other locations,” said Matthew McNabb, senior manager of training and development, Allergan, Inc.

 

Chapman University College launched its Leadership Services Program in 2004 to help businesses tap into the expertise of its strong bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in organizational leadership. Courses are taught by instructors who have worked for and with Fortune-500 companies in leadership development and managerial roles. The program is designed to help businesses large and small by designing a customized program to meet their individual corporate needs. The Leadership Services Program also provides comprehensive on-campus leadership development programs to the business community. Other companies that have taken part in both on-campus and customized programs include Blizzard Entertainment, Beckman Coulter, and Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA.

 

Allergan, which employs more than 8,000 people worldwide with approximately 2,000 people at its Irvine corporate headquarters, plans to further integrate the Allergan Leadership Development Program into its training schedule by participating in the
exercise twice per year.

 

To learn more about the Leadership Services Program or other Extended Education Programs at Chapman University College, please visit www.chapman.edu/ExEd/leadership or call 714-744-2128.

About Chapman University College
Chapman University College (CUC) has been serving the unique needs of adult learners for 50 years. CUC offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, graduate certificates, teaching credentials and extended education programs at campuses throughout California and Washington. Over 6,000 students per session enjoy convenient class times, exceptional faculty, and unparalleled student service.

CUC is one of seven colleges within Chapman University. Founded in 1861, Chapman is one of California’s oldest, most prestigious private universities and home to over 4,000 undergraduate students and 1,500 graduate students at its beautiful home campus in Orange, California. U.S. News and World Report ranks Chapman a Top School in America’s Best Colleges 2008. Chapman University is accredited by and a member of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Find more information on Chapman University College at www.chapman.edu/cuc.

About Allergan, Inc.
Founded in 1950, Allergan, Inc., with headquarters in Irvine, California, is a multispecialty health care company that discovers, develops and commercializes innovative pharmaceuticals, biologics and medical devices that enable people to live life to its greatest potential - to see more clearly, move more freely, express themselves more fully. The Company employs approximately 8,000 people worldwide and operates state of-the-art R&D facilities and world-class manufacturing plants. In addition to its discovery-to-development research organization, Allergan has global marketing and sales capabilities with a presence in more than 100 countries.