Driving Excellence Across All Organizations
The Resilience Institute for Strength and Empowerment (RISE) at Florida State University serves companies, teams, businesses, non-profits, schools, healthcare providers, and organizations of all types. Through evidence-based research and proven methodologies, RISE helps create high-performing environments where both people and organizations thrive.
Whether you're a Fortune 500 company, a local non-profit, a growing startup, or a public institution, RISE provides customized solutions to enhance organizational effectiveness, strengthen team dynamics, and achieve measurable results through expert certification and ongoing support.
Building Resilient Organizations
FSU has been educating and inspiring teams for decades, contributing to its recognition as a global leader. The Resilience Institute delivers measurable, long-term benefits, supporting teams, organizations, and institutions in building strong, adaptable professionals who excel in challenging environments.
- Employers recognize the value of resilience and professional adaptability in today's dynamic workplace.
- Clients and employees navigate complex situations that can impact their performance.
- Organizations face increasing demands for maintaining peak effectiveness.
- Success requires proven strategies to strengthen team capabilities and workplace culture.
Our Vision.
To lead global innovation in building professional skills that fuel lifelong career growth and organizational excellence.
Our Offerings
A structured organizational certification program designed to strengthen workplace culture by fostering supportive, understanding, and adaptable practices. The program offers two training pathways::
- A 20-hour Leadership Development Certification for dedicated team leaders (10% of staff)
- And a 3-hour Essential Skills Training for all staff (80% minimum participation).
Participants gain tools to recognize how personal challenges can influence workplace dynamics, develop resilience, and apply communication strategies that promote clarity, trust, and collaboration. The certification follows a phased approach—planning, implementation, integration, and sustainability—to ensure measurable, long-term improvements in team cohesion and organizational effectiveness.
A results-driven communication certification program created in collaboration with Dr. Cindy Bigbie, a renowned expert in constructive communication. The 8-week foundational course blends solution-focused communication strategies with real-world applications, offering self-paced learning and after the foundation course weekly live skill-building sessions. Participants advance through four skill levels—from Core Fundamentals to Advanced Leadership—with continuous growth supported through a structured Skills Accelerator. The program emphasizes building trust-based teams, resolving challenges constructively, and strengthening team alignment through actionable, outcomes-oriented techniques. Participants learn to communicate with clarity and purpose, address disagreements proactively, and cultivate trust within groups.
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“FSU Rise transforms workplace culture with clarity and alignment—driving measurable growth and stronger returns for organizations and small to midsize businesses.”
Dr. Angi Yoder Maina, Director Resilience Institute
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"Connection is the experience of ease and flow that occurs within and between people when they are seen, heard and valued without judgment."
Dr. Cindy Bigbie, Bigbie Method
Results Since 2023
Supported with
STAR Certification
10
Organizations
Trained through
STAR Certification
5,656
People
Trained in
Connect First Foundations
15
People
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