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 2024
Session 1: October 5
Topic: 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: OLP Zoom
Session 2: November 14
Topic: Managing Conflict
Key Facilitators: Chuck Sloane, University Ombud
Location: OLP Zoom
Session 3: December 5
Topic: ADVANCE workshop on Navigating Contemporary DEI Challenges in Higher Education
Key Facilitators: Rickey Hall, Vice President for Minority Affairs & Diversity and University Diversity Office and David Reyes, DNP, MPH, RN, PHNA-BC, Dean, UW Tacoma, School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership, and Interim Dean, UW Tacoma, School of Urban Studies
Location: HUB 250
Winter 2025
Session 5: January 9
Topic: Budget & Resources
Key Facilitator: Sarah Hall, Vice Provost for Planning and Budgeting
Location: OLP Zoom
Session 6: February 6
Topic: Navigating the Evolving Landscape in Higher Education
Key Facilitators: Julie Kientz, Human Centered Design and Engineering Chair and Christina Sunardi, Department of Dance Chair
Location: OLP Zoom
Session 7: March 6
Topic: Navigating the Evolving Landscape in Higher Education
Key Facilitators: David Kerwin, Attorney General; Margaret Shepherd, UW Presidential Office Chief Strategy Officer; Victor Balta, Assistant Vice President for Communications and University Spokesperson; Mari Ostendorf, Vice Provost for Research
Location: HUB 250
Spring 2025
Session 8: April 3
Topic: Working with Staff
Key Facilitator: UW Professional Staff Association
Location: OLP Zoom
Session 9: May 8
Topic: ADVANCE workshop
Location: HUB 250
Session 10: June 5
Topic: Reflections on Leadership
Key Facilitator: Chuck Sloane, University Ombud
Location: 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