Opportunities in Leadership Program (OLP)
The Opportunities in Leadership Program (OLP) responds to the University’s need for regular and consistent training of its unit-level leadership, and it frames leadership as a set of opportunities rather than (only) as a set of required duties or likely challenges. The OLP is especially appropriate for new, acting, and interim chairs, directors, and similar unit-level leaders in undepartmentalized colleges and schools and the UW Libraries (e.g., area directors, associate deans, assistant deans, etc.), but is also open to any experienced chairs, directors, and similar unit-level administrators who would like to attend one, several, or all of the scheduled meetings in a given year.
The OLP curriculum emphasizes creating a culture of excellence and covers key areas every chair or director should be aware of. Moreover, sessions are structured around activities that help build a community of practice and support for unit-level leaders across the UW. Although diversity, equity, and inclusion are addressed in every session, a separate session is devoted to these topics to ensure ample time for reflection and discussion.
Fall 2023
Session 1: October 5
Topic: Zoom session on Climate and Vision
Key Facilitators: Jodi Sandfort, Dean of the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance and Joy Williamson-Lott, Dean of the Graduate School
Location: 2023 – 2024 OLP Zoom
Session 2: November 9
Topic: Zoom session on Managing Conflict
Key Facilitators: Chuck Sloane, University Ombud
Location: 2023 – 2024 OLP Zoom
Session 3: December 7
Topic: ADVANCE workshop on Responding to Discrimination
Key Facilitators:
Mike Townsend, Secretary of the Faculty
Alina McLaughlan, Director of UCIRO
Valery Richardson, Title IX Coordinator
Shelley Kostrinsky, Assistant Vice Provost, Office of Academic Personnel
Location: HUB 145
Winter 2024
Session 5: January 11
Topic: Zoom session on Budget & Resources
Key Facilitator: Sarah Hall, Vice Provost for Planning and Budgeting
Location: 2023 – 2024 OLP Zoom
Session 6: February 8
Topic: Zoom session on Responding to Student Issues
Key Facilitators: Munira Khalil, Chair, Department of Chemistry and Jen Salk, Associate Professor and former Chair, Department of Dance
Location: 2023 – 2024 OLP Zoom
Session 7: March 7
Topic: ADVANCE workshop on Non-Promotable Tasks & Mentoring Faculty
Location: HUB 145
Spring 2024
Session 8: April 11
Topic: Zoom session on Mentoring Staff
Key Facilitator: UW Professional Staff Association
Location: 2023 – 2024 OLP Zoom
Session 9: May 9
Topic: ADVANCE workshop on Non-Promotable Tasks & Promotion and Tenure
Location: HUB 145
Session 10: June 6
Topic: Zoom session on Managing Conflict 2
Key Facilitator: Chuck Sloane, University Ombud
Location: 2023 – 2024 OLP Zoom
Please contact Leyla Salmassi (leylas@uw.edu) if you are currently in the OLP and need the Zoom information for the above meetings.
Session Resources
The Chronicle: How to Be a Trauma-Informed Department Chair Amid Covid-19
The Whole U: Children’s well-being during COVID-19: Mental and physical health
Session 1: Creating a Vision for Leadership PowerPoint Slides