Harbert Business announces new courses for working professionals in Birmingham

Six courses offered at Auburn in Birmingham location to teach skills needed for rapidly evolving business environment 

Auburn University's Harbert College of Business is expanding its presence in Birmingham with the launch of Auburn in Birmingham Professional & Executive Education, a new initiative designed to help working professionals, executives and organizations build the skills needed to succeed in today's rapidly evolving business environment.

“In simple terms, the program brings Auburn’s business expertise directly to working professionals and leadership in the Birmingham region,” said Greg Gagliano, Harbert’s director of Birmingham operations.

The open-enrollment courses are short, practical and designed to fit the schedules of working adults.

Most are one- or two-day, non-credit, non-degree programs offered on-site in Birmingham. Participants will receive a certificate of completion and a LinkedIn digital badge with a unique credential ID, “but the primary value is the ability to learn something useful and apply it immediately at work,” Gagliano said.

“The initiative was created because Alabama employers need skilled leaders who can respond to rapid changes in technology, strategy, operations and workforce management. At the same time, many professionals need continued development but may not have the time—or the need—to pursue another degree,” he said. “Auburn can help fill that gap with flexible, high-impact learning that advances careers, develops teams and strengthens organizations.”

Sharing the expertise

The portfolio goes beyond public courses. Auburn can co-design customized programs with corporate and government partners around an organization’s goals, including leadership and organizational effectiveness, business and financial acumen, digital marketing and analytics, transformation and AI, operations and supply-chain excellence, team-building and strategic planning.

The university’s recent renovation of the historic Hood-McPherson Building in downtown Birmingham, completed in 2024, gives Harbert College a permanent presence and space to offer professional education in the heart of the city.

It also supports Auburn’s land-grant mission. By bringing faculty expertise, research and educational resources closer to Birmingham, Auburn can strengthen industry partnerships, support workforce and economic development, and expand its impact in one of Alabama’s most important business communities.

Gagliano’s personal background helped prepare him for the leadership role he has now with Harbert, having spent more than 30 years working across the public and private sectors, most recently at Regions Bank, where he served as executive vice president and head of enterprise operations.

“Auburn has also been an important part of my life for many years. I earned my degree in operations management from Auburn in 1993 and remained connected to the Harbert College of Business through service on its Alumni Council and Advisory Council,” he said. “When I retired from Regions, I wanted to apply my experience in a way that would continue to serve Birmingham and the state of Alabama. 

“This position brought together several things that matter deeply to me: Auburn, education, leadership development and the Birmingham business community.”

Six core classes offered

Michael Wesson, associate dean of graduate and executive programs at Harbert, shared similar enthusiasm for Auburn’s growth in the Magic City.

“It is truly an exciting opportunity for the Harbert College of Business to begin offering courses at the Auburn-in-Birmingham facility. There have been so many questions about when we would start, and it's a pleasure to announce our first six courses,” Wesson said. “These six courses are just the beginning. We fully expect to expand our offerings over time, and several companies have inquired about customized programs for their employees as well.”

The first courses include:

• Practical AI for Business Leaders— Focuses on how leaders can use artificial intelligence realistically, responsibly and strategically. It is designed to move beyond the hype and help participants evaluate practical applications, opportunities, limitations, risks and business considerations.
• Accounting for Non-Financial Managers— Gives leaders without an accounting background a practical understanding of financial statements, budgets and business performance. Managers in every function make decisions with financial implications, so financial literacy is essential to sound leadership.

• Leading Change in Organizations— Helps leaders guide employees and organizations through transformation. It was selected because companies are continually adapting to new technologies, economic conditions, customer expectations and workplace changes; and successful change depends on effective leadership and communication.
• Customer Insights, AI and Business Growth— Explores how organizations can better understand customers and use data and artificial intelligence to identify growth opportunities. It reflects the increasing importance of customer intelligence, analytics and technology in business decision-making.
• Leadership from the Inside Out: Leading Yourself. Inspiring Others. Driving Results— This course focuses on self-awareness, personal leadership and the ability to lead other people effectively. It was selected because organizations consistently need leaders who can communicate clearly, build trust, manage teams and create strong workplace cultures.
• Leading Responsive Supply Chains— Addresses supply-chain resilience, risk management and strategic partnerships. Recent disruptions have shown that supply-chain leadership is not simply an operational concern; it can directly affect customer relationships, competitiveness and long-term growth.

“These courses are developed for all levels of working professionals and those wishing to become better leaders,” Wesson said. “We believe Harbert and its faculty sit at the intersection of leadership, strategy, finance, innovation and client value, which is where professional education is most valuable to businesses across the Birmingham region.”

###

Learn more about Auburn in Birmingham and register for a course.

The Raymond J. Harbert College of Business at Auburn University is a nationally ranked business school offering undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and executive degree programs. Founded in 1967, Harbert College develops business leaders who embody Auburn values, create knowledge that drives innovation, and shape the future of business and society.