Professional Advancement

As a Regional Special Programs Manager for K12 online education, Constance Barnes is responsible for the establishment and oversight of federal programs in new K12 charter schools across the southeast region. Her role requires team leadership, management, and effective communication with various individuals in multiple states.

Seeking to hone her strengths, Barnes enrolled in the Project Management Certificate at KSU’sCollege of Continuing and Professional Education (CCPE). Her long-term goal was to earn the industry-recognized Project Management Professional Certification. As a former KSU owl, she was already familiar with the college.

“I am a former student,” Barnes said. “My daughter attends KSU and I have hired several quality employees who attended KSU. I knew I would receive a quality education.”

With only a few weeks into the 12-week program, Barnes began to apply the knowledge she acquired to her day-to-day role managing online education programs.

“I learned how to manage tasks of all sizes more efficiently,” Barnes said. “I learned how to visualize tasks through fruition and ways to apply more logic to my daily work.”

Throughout the course, Barnes learned how committed her instructors were in seeing the class succeed.

“One Saturday, in the middle of the summer, our instructor offered to spend an entire Saturday helping us prep for our midterm,” Barnes said. “His willingness to do that for us made the difference [and] makes KSU a wonderful place to learn.”

Francine Warner and Pete Schestopol lead the Project Management Certificate program at the college. The two instructors have more than 50 years of combined experience in the field.

Warner has more 30 years of experience as an IT professional with extensive experience in IT project management and software development. She has managed several multi-million-dollar projects for Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 companies over the last 15 years. Warner holds a Project Management Professional (PMP®) Certification from the Project Management Institute. Schestopol is a project manager with over 28 years of project management experience. He earned his Project Management Professional Certification in 2001.

“We are very fortunate to have instructors who genuinely care for our students,” said Doug Malcom, program manager. “By taking this course, students not only learn the material, but also have direct access to industry professionals, dedicated to their success.”

After completing the program, Barnes continued to prepare for the certification exam by participating in study sessions with her classmates, reviewing the material covered in class and using the Project Management Body of Knowledge Guide. Barnes is now a certified Project Management Professional.

The next Project Management Certificate program at CCPE begins May 17. A meet-and-greet with the instructor will be held at KSU Center May 9 at 6 p.m. Event attendees will receive an exclusive discount on class registration.

For more information on the Project Management Certificate program or to register for the event, visit ccpe.kennesaw.edu, call 470-578-6765 or email ccpe@kennesaw.edu.