Sunflower Electric Power Corporation
Building confident leaders in a technical workforce
Sunflower Electric Power Corporation partners with FHSU’s PCE to prepare employees transitioning from technical roles into leadership positions. Through its year-long Foundations of Leadership program, participants receive customized training in communication, emotional intelligence, change management, and project planning.
“Many of our new supervisors come from highly technical backgrounds,” said Hannah Hilker, Sunflower’s manager of talent development. “We are intentional about preparing them for leadership and equipping them with the skills needed to succeed.”
PCE’s tailored approach ensures content is practical and relevant, resulting in strong engagement and high satisfaction scores (4.79/5). A recent webinar drew nearly double the typical attendance, highlighting demand for the program.
Feedback highlights the real-world value of the training:
- “The scenarios helped me apply the techniques to real situations.”
- “The session was very interactive and practical.”
- “This training will help me be more structured in my project planning.”
The impact goes beyond metrics. Participants report lasting changes in how they approach leadership, helping strengthen both the organization and the communities it serves.
Southwest Kansas (REWA Partnership)
Delivering practical skills to rural businesses
In Southwest Kansas, FHSU PCE works with the Rural Education Workforce Alliance (REWA) to deliver hands-on training for small businesses and employees. Programs in QuickBooks, Excel, grant proposal writing, customer service, and supervision address real, immediate workforce needs.
Ashley Still, Director of Small Business & Entrepreneurship at the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation, reached out to FHSU’s PCE to help meet the professional development needs of the region’s workforce.
“All we really have to do is provide the space, the technology, and maybe a few snacks,” Still said. “FHSU makes it so easy for us.”
PCE’s flexibility, developing custom courses, and traveling to rural communities, makes training accessible and easy to implement. As a result, organizations are improving financial management, strengthening leadership, and enhancing communication.
The partnership allows local leaders to focus on participation while PCE handles development and delivery, creating a seamless and impactful experience.
Smith County Memorial Hospital
Strengthening leadership in rural healthcare
At Smith County Memorial Hospital, a wave of leadership transitions created a need for focused professional development. Partnering with FHSU’s PCE, the hospital implemented a customized training program for department managers.
Sarah Ragsdale, Smith County Memorial Hospital’s CEO, reached out to PCE to help bridge communication gaps and prepare new department managers to step into leadership roles in patient care.
"We believe that investing in our employees' education is a win-win situation," Sarah said. "Our staff will have the opportunity to acquire new skills...and patients will benefit from their enhanced capabilities.”
Through CliftonStrengths workshops and monthly “power hour” sessions, leaders developed stronger communication, decision-making, and team management skills. The training also led to tangible improvements, including standardized hiring practices and clearer organizational processes.
Most importantly, managers gained confidence in their roles, enhancing both staff development and patient care in the community.