SMCE2001 F26 Making Change

• Time and method of delivery:
  • Tuesday, September 29 to Thursday, October 22: Online Via Zoom, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 24: In-person on campus at the University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto, 9:30 to 4:30 p.m.
• Course Fee: $850.00 (includes HST)

This course is part of the Diploma in Catholic Leadership

Course Overview

How can leaders set clear directions when the ground beneath them is constantly shifting? Making Change explores how Catholic organizations can design and implement meaningful, mission-aligned change in complex environments. Grounded in Catholic Social Teaching, learners will engage real-world case studies from education, healthcare, and community settings to develop practical strategies for organizational transformation. Through applied learning and ethical discernment, participants will strengthen their ability to shape culture, respond to challenges, and lead change initiatives that advance the common good.

The Diploma in Catholic Leadership equips leaders in Catholic organizations to lead with purpose in complex, contemporary environments. Grounded in Catholic Social Teaching, the program integrates mission, strategy, and practical leadership skills across sectors such as education, healthcare, and social services. Through four focused courses, learners engage real-world challenges, strengthen decision-making, and build capacity to lead diverse teams with integrity. The program fosters collaboration across disciplines and organizations, creating space for shared learning and innovation. Graduates emerge better prepared to navigate change, articulate mission in pluralistic contexts, and advance the common good through thoughtful, values-driven leadership.

Micro Credential

The University of St. Michael’s College Continuing Education Division is proud to offer micro credentials—digital, verifiable credentials that you own and can share on your résumé, LinkedIn profile, and more. Micro credentials are certifications of assessed learning that focus on specific, relevant skills and competencies. These programs are designed for professionals seeking rapid, practical training to meet today’s social and environmental challenges. Whether you’re advancing your career, or deepening your expertise, our micro credentials deliver focused learning, backed by real-world relevance, and academic excellence.

Sessions

This course includes eight 1.5-hour online sessions and one 6-hour in-person session over four weeks.

Session 1: Mission and Change: Foundations for Catholic Leadership

Tuesday, September 29th, 2026, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. (Zoom)

Explore the relationship between mission and change, examining how Catholic identity shapes leadership priorities and informs approaches to organizational transformation in complex, evolving contexts.

Session 2: Catholic Social Teaching as a Framework for Action

Thursday, October 1st, 2026, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. (Zoom)

Apply principles of Catholic Social Teaching to real organizational contexts, using them as a foundation for decision-making, strategy development, and evaluating the impact of change initiatives.

Session 3: Reading the Organization: Culture, Power, and Practice

Tuesday, October 6th, 2026, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. (Zoom)

Analyze organizational culture, power dynamics, and informal practices to identify opportunities and barriers to change, strengthening your ability to navigate and influence complex systems effectively.

Session 4: Identifying and Framing Complex Organizational Challenges

Thursday, October 8th, 2026, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. (Zoom)

Develop skills to define and frame complex challenges clearly, distinguishing symptoms from root causes and positioning issues in ways that enable effective, mission-aligned responses and solutions.

Session 5: Strategic Thinking for Mission-Aligned Change

Tuesday, October 13th, 2026, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. (Zoom)

Build strategic thinking skills to design change initiatives that align mission, vision, and operational realities, ensuring plans are both purposeful and responsive to organizational needs.

Session 6: Ethical Discernment in Decision-Making

Thursday, October 15th, 2026, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. (Zoom)

Practice structured approaches to ethical discernment, integrating values, context, and stakeholder perspectives to guide decisions that are both effective and aligned with Catholic mission.

Session 7: From Insight to Action: Designing Change Initiatives

Thursday, October 20, 2026 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. (Zoom)

Translate analysis and reflection into action by developing practical, mission-aligned change initiatives, with attention to feasibility, stakeholder engagement, and long-term organizational impact.

Session 8: Engaging Stakeholders and Building Momentum for Change

Thursday, October 22, 2026 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. (Zoom)

Develop strategies to engage key stakeholders, build trust, and generate momentum for change initiatives. Explore communication, influence, and coalition-building to support sustainable, mission-aligned transformation across your organization.

Session 9: Leading Change in Practice: Case Studies and Integration

Saturday, October 24 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in person on campus at the University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto

Synthesize course learning through in-depth case studies and applied discussion. Examine real-world examples from Catholic education, healthcare, and social services to test your thinking, refine your approach, and strengthen your ability to lead change in complex environments. Integrate course frameworks, reflect on your own context, and articulate a clear, actionable path forward.

Method of Teaching

This hybrid programme will be delivered via Zoom (weeknight sessions), and in person on campus at the University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto (final Saturday session).

Interactive discussions, Problem-Based Learning, and reflection will be used to practise application of theories to explore outcomes that foster innovation and positive change in organisations and within teams.

A final assessment is required to earn your micro credential.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Apply principles of Catholic Social Teaching to strategic planning and organizational change initiatives
• Analyze workplace culture to identify opportunities for mission-aligned transformation
• Develop practical solutions to real-world organizational challenges using problem-based learning approaches
• Evaluate ethical dimensions of leadership decisions using structured discernment frameworks
• Design a change initiative that integrates mission, strategy, and organizational context

Questions?

Email ce.stmikes@utoronto.ca

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