Florida State University (FSU) has announced a partnership with Google to provide students with free access to the Google People Management Essentials certificate program. The initiative, led by FSU’s College of Business in collaboration with Information Technology Services, aims to help business students develop leadership and professional skills while learning how to use artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace.
FSU is among the first universities in the United States to offer this course. Michael D. Hartline, dean of the College of Business, said, “We are excited about our partnership with Google, one of the world’s most prominent tech companies, and the benefits it will offer our students. This collaboration reflects our ongoing commitment to prepare students for the transformative effects of AI on workplaces and society, ensuring they graduate with the relevant, in-demand skills necessary for a rapidly changing world.”
The Google People Management Essentials program is an eight-hour self-paced course developed by the Google School for Leaders. It is designed for new and aspiring managers and covers practical management skills such as building high-performing teams, setting goals, supporting individual growth, and investing in personal development.
Participants will gain hands-on experience using AI tools like Gemini and NotebookLM. These tools are intended to help students integrate artificial intelligence into daily management tasks such as creating SMART goals, developing project plans, and tailoring communications for different audiences.
Brian Glaser, chief learning officer at Google, commented on the partnership: “At Google, we’ve seen firsthand how investing in managers creates a more effective, collaborative and supportive environment for all and drives business outcomes. We believe the principles behind effective management are universal. By sharing what we’ve learned, we hope to empower leaders and their teams to thrive in any organization.” He added: “We believe that great managers create great teams. By making our foundational management principles accessible to everyone, we hope to empower the next generation of leaders to build a better future for teams, one manager at a time.”
More information about this initiative can be found at business.fsu.edu.
