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By Tara Sharpe
Students are not the only ones taking courses at the University of Victoria. The Human Resources department offers a number of professional development programs to faculty and staff, and this year’s Legacy Leadership program is one of these.
Twenty senior leaders at UVic are currently participating in this 11-month pilot program. The course commenced in May and will continue through to March of next year. The group has already undergone an intensive assessment stage to learn more about their own particular leadership style and qualities and what they personally bring to their leadership positions. This first stage is now being followed by workshops, executive coaching and team projects.
“UVic’s strategic plan specifically speaks to our ‘people goals’ of recruiting, retaining and supporting an engaged and motivated workforce,” says Terrie Conway, UVic director of human resources and organization development. “This pilot project makes use of a robust set of tools that helps participants ask themselves ‘How do I show up as a leader?’”
The group is divided into four teams, each working on a community development project that is meant to benefit UVic and create a lasting legacy.
One of the projects is a wellness concept modelled specifically for students. “Well U” follows the same premise as UVic’s Active U program: it fosters and supports a healthy lifestyle and good health choices. It also includes prizes and contests to expand and encourage the students’ repertoire of activities. The team introduced Well U to UVic through the President’s Day of Welcome, Club Days and Co-op Day giving out pedometers, granola bars and other goodies. Says team member Grace Wong Sneddon, UVic’s diversity advisor and interim associate director of Student and Ancillary services, “These students are new to campus and perhaps even to Victoria. They may feel alone at first, and we want to provide opportunities for students to connect with each other and explore Victoria in a variety of activities, on their own, with friends, on foot, in a wheelchair or by any other means.”
Another project is about improving access to information and services that are relevant to the needs of students and community groups. The project is intended to clarify what excellent service would look like from the eyes of users across campus, with a view to informing a staff development program for service providers.
A third project is focused on building a better understanding of the community of post-doctoral fellow research personnel at UVic who provide vital support for our faculty. These postdocs are potential ambassadors and future faculty members, and the community profile is meant to inform their experience with support services.
The fourth project will involve the development of a report, based on interviews with members of other organizations including domestic and international groups, on whether UVic should consider establishing a formal benchmarking process. Benchmarking compares one organization or project or initiative against others.
All the projects are being developed through to March 2009.
For more info, please visit website.
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