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 2025
Session 1: October 9
Topic: Climate and Vision
Key Facilitators: Tamara Lawson, Dean of the Law School
Location: Zoom
Session 2: November 6
Topic: Managing Conflict
Key Facilitators: Chuck Sloane, University Ombud
Location: Zoom
Session 3: December 4
Topic: ADVANCE Leadership workshop: Leadership in Uncertain Times
Key Facilitators: Chuck Sloane, University Ombud
Location: TBD
Winter 2026
Session 4: January 8
Topic: Budget & Resources
Key Facilitator: Jason Campbell, Interim Vice President and Vice Provost, Office of the President
Location: Zoom
Session 5: February 5
Topic: Student Challenges
Key Facilitators: Julie Kientz, Human Centered Design and Engineering Chair, Christina Sunardi, Department of Dance Chair, and Jessica Werk, Department of Astronomy Chair.
Location: Zoom
Session 6: March 5
Topic: Discussions on the Revised 25-71 Faculty Code
Key Facilitators: TBD
Location: HUB TBD
Spring 2026
Session 7: April 9
Topic: Working with Staff
Key Facilitator: TBD
Location: Zoom
Session 8: May 7
Topic: ADVANCE Leadership workshop: Current Climate
Location: TBD
Session 9: June 4
Topic: Reflections on The Year
Key Facilitator: Chuck Sloane, University Ombud
Location: Zoom
Please contact Leyla Salmassi (facadv@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