Lauren Semper Scott, Ph. D.
Akron,OH
Summary
Accomplished Training Director with over 25 years of progressive learning and development experience including 15 years in mass transit training and development. Well-versed in developing trainers, strengthening curriculum and course plans to achieve safety sensitive and regulatory training objectives. Effective at designing and implementing leadership training and coaching within the organization .
Experienced transit training leader motivated to improve organization and employee performance by creating environment of mutual respect, trust, consensus-building and accountability. Exceptional talent evaluating and expanding a training office to meet varied business goals including staffing, safety, customer service and regulatory training to improve agency performance.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Training & Development Specialist
Kent State University
2024.01 - Current
- Establishing consistent training curriculum of 10 courses to build supervisory and management bench strength.
- Delivered How to Support Your Team training to University 80 culinary services employees in preparation for student return
- Overhauled design of three-hour New Hire Orientation including session content and leader's guide
- Supporting culture change and change management initiatives through presentations and group sessions
- Developing internal standards of practice, templates, client consulting protocols and practices to rebuild Learning & Development function
- Curating learning resources, training, mentoring and conducting 1:1 coaching with 4 team members to increase shared knowledge of learning and development functions, practices, and theory
Management Consultant
Mass Transit & Education Industries
2016.08 - Current
- Coaching 4-person executive leadership and 16 middle managers in effective communication and decision-making practices.
- Designed and delivered customized training programs to enhance employee skills and improve productivity levels.
- Enhanced school curriculum quality by collaborating with colleagues and administrators to review and revise materials.
- Reviewed 150 mid-term, end of term and end of year tests and assignments for alignment with school curriculum.
- Analyzed high stakes testing performance data 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 to identify performance strengths, weaknesses, and patterns for improvement.
- Organized 3- 5 days of professional development workshops for 15 teachers, promoting effective in-person and on line teaching practices. Conducted 1;1 sessions with teachers needed additional support and skill development.
- Mentored 4 new teachers in effective instructional planning, instructional methods, enhancing overall teaching quality within the school community.
Managing Partner
LTD2 Consulting, LLC
2016.01 - 2021.03
- Extensive experience partnering with clients to conduct needs analyses and identify learning activities and leadership development programs for personnel ranging from entry-level to senior management
- Planned and developed workforce development training based on organizational data, including needs assessment data and performance metrics
- Collaborated with organizations to chart feasible change management strategies for expansion
- Provided pro-bono organizational development services, including process management and business process improvement, to a mid-sized transit learning agency
- Served as reviewer for research project sponsored by National Academies of Science TCRP Project F-22.
Director, Rail Training
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority WMATA
2012.10 - 2016.05
- Established and maintained strategic direction of rail training including partnering with Train Operations and Central Control to identify training needs for safe and efficient transit service.
- Introduced professional practice framework to transition 35 training instructors from subject matter experts to Level 1 qualified training professionals, mentoring three internal communities of practice.
- Mentored supervisory staff members in strategic planning for safety sensitive training positions resulting in more cohesive team and more reliable flow of certified professionals to deliver service.
- Introduced rapid response protocols during pre-certification to provide trainees with additional classroom and roadway practice before certification.
- Created department protocols and standards to meet FTA oversight regulatory demands and provided enterprise consulting through expanded learning options.
Assistant Director, Rail Training
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority WMATA
2012.03 - 2012.10
- Primary business partner with RTRA senior leaders identifying issues of organizational effectiveness, performance management and leading a major change initiative
- Provided on-going individual and team coaching to frontline employees, senior leaders, directors, and managers in Rail Transportation (RTRA)
- Solicited and procured vendor to design a major customer service training program
- Completed program design under budget
- Managed successful implementation of HEART Customer Service training program to 500 Station Managers, 100 supervisors and RTRA leaders
- Completed program delivery ahead of GM target deadline
- Provided strategic on-boarding activities to 2 cohorts of new Rail Transportation supervisors (12 individuals)
- Designed and deployed new supervisor training including 10-days HR compliance, career development, and communications skills training for new supervisors
- Partnered with Bus Maintenance (BMNT) to deliver Crucial Confrontations training to all BMNT supervisors and Superintendents
- Provided procurement oversight and training for 12 training and development contracts
- Coached and counseled Operations Supervisors and Superintendents as necessary to address performance management issues at all levels
- Collaborated with Training & Organizational Development T&OD to provide appropriate training to address performance needs including Effective Workplace Behavior, Business Writing, and Career Development.
Senior Consultant II/ Acting Learning & OD Manager
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority WMATA
2010.09 - 2012.03
- Served as primary business partner for Rail Operations department identifying issues related to organizational effectiveness, performance management, and major change initiatives
- Provided individual and team coaching to frontline employees, senior leaders, directors, and managers across 17 operations offices
- Lead a curriculum design committee to develop diverse assortment of learning activities and aids to address skill gaps resulting from organization re-design
- Achieved significant curriculum cost efficiencies through use of varied learning options including job aids, in-class training, intranet learning, and self-paced instruction
- Identified as thought leader for key talent management and development initiatives including Management Certification Program and bench strength initiatives for middle management personnel
- Served as Contracting Technical Representative leading procurement oversight and training for 12 training and development contracts
- Internal expert on workforce development policies and practices for Tuition Reimbursement and Outside Training serving over 200 employees.
Education
Certificate - Instructional Design
University of Wisconsin
05.2019
Doctor of Philosophy - Educational Administration
American University
Washington05.2006
Master of Arts - Human Resource Development
George Washington University
Washington05.1991
Skills
- Strategic Thinking & Leadership
- Performance Improvement & Performance Management
- Innovative Learning & Development Leadership
- Leadership Development, Mentoring & Coaching
- Executive Level Presentations
- Business Acumen
- FTA, DOT, Regulatory Oversight & Audit Procedures
- Building Trust & Accountability
- Business Strategies
- Training Needs Assessment, Design, Evaluation
- Organizational Development
- Designing & Evaluating Technical Training
Accomplishments
- Successfully restructured and implemented in-house and external signature training series.
- Trained over 50 hiring managers on goal setting, the performance management process, and conducting performance coaching
- Supervised team of 40 training professionals.
- Introduced computer-based training and professional training standards for course delivery.
- Implemented succession planning and leadership training for 40 first line, middle management, and senior managers to Managing Director, Rail Transportation.
- Spearheaded and led WMATA's initial Training Council coordinating and monitoring training standards, policies, and practices across all WMATA training units.
Pages
2
Timeline
Senior Training & Development Specialist
Kent State University
2024.01 - Current
Management Consultant
Mass Transit & Education Industries
2016.08 - Current
Managing Partner
LTD2 Consulting, LLC
2016.01 - 2021.03
Director, Rail Training
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority WMATA
2012.10 - 2016.05
Assistant Director, Rail Training
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority WMATA
2012.03 - 2012.10
Senior Consultant II/ Acting Learning & OD Manager
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority WMATA
2010.09 - 2012.03
Certificate - Instructional Design
University of Wisconsin
Doctor of Philosophy - Educational Administration
American University
Master of Arts - Human Resource Development
George Washington University
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