"As supervisors it can be both challenging and rewarding to lead teams. Research shows that the care and commitment that we all take in managing staff is absolutely critical to the success and well-being of our employees and the institution. For some time, I’ve been envisioning a program that could support and strengthen the skills of VPFA supervisors to manage the complex challenges of leadership across a wide variety of operational areas. I’m excited to share that vision has come to fruition. The VPFA Leadership Excellence and Development Series (LEADS) has been developed as an investment in our supervisory staff to help each of us thrive in our roles as team leaders."
Jamie Moffitt, Senior VPFA and CFO
Training Content
The pilot cohort of LEADS was held January-June 2023 and the second cohort of supervisors are going through the training July-December 2023.
VPFA LEADS was designed with three areas of focus:
- Soft skill development such as effective communication, engagement, and conflict resolution,
- Technical skill development in areas such as labor relations, including information about UO-specific labor contracts, that supervisors need to be effective in their roles, and
- Networking opportunities for supervisors across different departments.
Each cohort is guided through six skill-development sessions over the course of six months. The content areas are as follows:
January 2024 | Half-day sessions (monthly: FEBRUARY through JUNE 2024) |
|---|---|
Half day: Orientation to VPFA LEADS Half day: Effective Communication Full day: Situational Leadership Essentials | Employee Engagement |
Training Dates for January - June 2024
All sessions are scheduled as in-person training--there are no remote participation options at this point. Full-day sessions will include breakfast and lunch. Half-day sessions will include breakfast. These are the dates for the January-June 2024 LEADS sessions--it is unlikely but possible that these dates will change.
- Tuesday, January 23: 8:30am-4pm
- Wednesday, January 24: 8:30am-5pm
- Tuesday, February 6: 8:30am-1pm
- Tuesday, March 19: 8:30am-1pm
- Tuesday, April 9: 8:30am-1pm
- Tuesday, May 14: 8:30am-1pm
- Tuesday, June 11: 8:30am-1pm
Frequently Asked Questions
Which VPFA (Finance and Administration) supervisors are required to participate in the LEADS training?
Content is designed to be interactive and valuable for supervisors in every stage of their career, from emerging managers to seasoned leaders. VPFA LEADS will will continue to be offered twice yearly to allow all VPFA supervisors an opportunity to participate. See the VPFA org chart to understand more about the departments that are part of the portfolio.
How much does the program cost?
There is no department cost for this program.
I am a supervisor in the VPFA portfolio. I want to participate but I am unable to attend all of the scheduled trainings. May I still sign up?
Participants are asked to commit to attendance at all sessions. If you have an unavoidable conflict with one of the sessions, please let us know. Depending on which session you are unable to attend, we may be able to offer a make-up opportunity at a later date.
Is there a remote or hybrid attendance option?
Sessions are currently being held in person. A fully remote training program will be held in the future to accommodate VPFA supervisors whose workplaces are not located on the Eugene campus and are therefore unable to attend a the training series in person.
How do I apply for the program?
Thank you for your enthusiasm. The January-June 2024 cohort is full. If you are interested in joining the July-December 2024 cohort, please email Debbie Sharp (dsharp@uoregon.edu)--we will contact you when that application process opens.
Who participated in the first two LEADS cohorts in 2023?
- Adam Jones, Environmental Services Manager, Safety and Risk Services: Environmental Health & Safety
- Adrian Cruz, Shuttle Program Manager, Transportation Services
- Alex Milshtein, Office Specialist, Campus Services: Transportation Services
- April Nero, Manager, Campus Services: Print Services
- Brady Nittmann, Director of Academic Budget, Budget, Financial Analytics and Data Analysis
- Brittany Jayne, Assistant Director of Employee and Labor Relations, Human Resources
- Brooke Millett Montgomery, Travel Manager, Business Affairs
- Bruce Budzik, Small Projects Manager, Capital Improvement Coordinator, CPFM: Design and Construction
- Chris Wiesemann, Interim Data Center Infrastructure Manager, Information Services: Technology Infrastructure
- Cleven Mmari, Director of IT Security Compliance, Information Services: Information Security
- Crystal Farset, Retirement Benefits Coordinator, Retirement Plans Management
- Dan Shepard, Financial Manager, FASS: Business Operations
- David Cates, Design Manager and Staff Architect, CPFM: Design and Construction
- Diane Huffman Carl, Accounts Payable Manager, Business Affairs: Financial Services
- Emily Eng, Director, CPFM: Campus Planning
- Gary Sullivan, Senior Director, User Support Services, Information Services: User Support Services
- Haily Griffith, Occupational Health & Safety Manager, Safety and Risk Services
- James McGladrey, Assistant Director Field Operations, Transportation Services
- Joe Mailander, Assistant Director Network Operations, Information Services
- Jon Miyake, CyberSecurity Operations Center Manager, Information Services
- José A. Domínguez, Interim Chief Information Security Officer, Information Services: Information Security
- JP Monroe, Director, Institutional Research
- Justin Grishkin, Construction Services Manager, CPFM Facilities ServicesJeff Schumacher, Director of Treasury Operations, Business Affairs: Treasury Operations
- Kathleen Brown, Accounts Receivable Manager, Business Affairs
- LeAnna Pitts, Assistant Director Work Control, CPFM Facilities
- Lisa Howard, Director, Business Operations, Finance and Administration Shared Services (FASS)
- Lisa Taylor, Assistant Director Risk Management and Insurance, Safety and Risk Services
- Louie Vidmar, Critical IT Systems Mapping Specialist, Information Services: Technology Infrastructure
- Melissa Koval, Assistant Director, FASS Human Resources
- Melodie Moore, Presentation Services Program Specialist, Information Services
- Melody Riley Ralphs, ACIO Enterprise Solutions, Information Services: Enterprise Solutions
- Mike Glover Moresi, Knowledge Manager, Information Services
- Rosalee Clanton, Landscape Supervisor, CPFM Facilities Landscape
- Stuart Mellor, Financial Reporting Manager, Business Affairs Sue Russell, Executive Assistant and Strategic Initiatives Coordinator, University Human Resources
- Tamara Clark, Director, Campus Services: Vivian Olum Child Development Center
- Timothy Winder, Custodial Services Manager, CPFM: Facilities
- Tom Shepard, Senior Associate Director of Capital Projects, CPFM Design and Construction
- Travis Shea, Business Intelligence Manager, Information Services
- Tyfanie Wineriter, Manager of Software Solutions and Development, Information Services: Enterprise Solutions
Who do I contact if I have other questions?
If you have further questions about VPFA LEADS, contact Deborah Butler at deborahb@uoregon.edu or 541-346-3046.
