At UW–Madison, we believe that leadership knows no bounds. Authentic leadership manifests itself in individuals’ actions, mindset, and influence of those who have the potential to inspire, empower, and effect positive change. We have compiled several resources to help you unlock your full leadership potential, regardless of your current role within the university.
Explore Leadership Growth Opportunities
Related Opportunities
Language Assistance
For language assistance, contact Cultural Linguistic Services.
Individuals
As an individual at UW-Madison, we aim to support leadership development from where you are. These opportunities offer leadership development experiences from any starting point.
- In Scope: Managing Projects at UW Madison
In Scope is designed for managers of small- to medium-sized projects at UW–Madison. In this series, project management experts address managing projects in the university environment, introduce project management methods and resources, and facilitate conversations around common problems and solutions. - Ignite: Fueling Organizational Excellence
Ignite: Fueling Organizational Excellence features interactive workshops that focus on the tools and resources faculty and staff need to promote and sustain organizational excellence at UW–Madison. In these hour-long sessions, experts share ideas, methods, and approaches to help participants build skills to support continuous improvement and increase organizational effectiveness. Participants leave with stronger cross-campus networks, new strategies on how to improve their work, and the inspiration to implement their ideas. - Showcase
Showcase is free and open to all UW–Madison faculty, staff, and students, as well as community members. The day includes poster exhibits, poster flash talks, a keynote presentation, and a variety of breakout sessions that highlight campus strategic initiatives and best practices in the areas of process improvement, change management, organizational design, project management, and leadership. - Information and Technology Leadership Conference
To celebrate 10 years of the Information and Technology Leadership Conference (I&TLC), the 2023 I&TLC connected the past, present, and future of leadership in information and technology, providing attendees with insights and tools to develop leaders who make a positive impact upon those around them. - Women and Leadership Symposium
The Women and Leadership Symposium brings together engaged professionals for networking, professional development, learning from women leaders, and sharing of best practices. In addition to the keynote address, there will be 28 breakout sessions. This annual symposium brings together individuals committed to the excellence and empowerment of women to discuss relevant issues and topics that will educate and inspire. - Fully Prepared to Lead
The core belief of Fully Prepared to Lead (FP2L) is that leadership is demonstrated in actions and behaviors, not in your position or authority. By attending these courses, you will feel empowered to positively influence your work environment and recognize the personal leadership that you bring to your role at UW‒Madison. - University Relations Leadership Development (URLD) Program
The University Relations Leadership Development (URLD) Program* is designed to build the next generation of communications, marketing and outreach leaders at UW–Madison. Launched in 2017 by the Office of University Relations, the goals of the 10-month program are to strengthen cross-campus collaboration and connections while expanding institutional and professional knowledge for participants. The program is open to all marketing and communications staff who are currently in a leadership role, as well as those who are aspiring to one.
Managers/Supervisors
As a manager or supervisor at UW-Madison, you are balancing your growth as a leader with the growth of those you support. These opportunities meet the needs of developing in your current role. For additional opportunities – both for yourself and those you supervise – we encourage you to check out the opportunities listed under the “individual” tab.
- Fully Prepared to Lead
The core belief of Fully Prepared to Lead (FP2L) is that leadership is demonstrated in actions and behaviors, not in your position or authority. By attending these courses, you will feel empowered to positively influence your work environment and recognize the personal leadership that you bring to your role at UW‒Madison. - UW College of Engineering Interdisciplinary Professional Programs
Get ready to tackle a leading role in your organization or improve the way you’re approaching your current management role with a course from UW-Madison. Learn how to manage projects and technical teams, adopt new standards of asset management, communicate with your key stakeholders, and establish yourself as a thought leader in your organization. Choose from short courses, the Technical Leadership Certificate, or our online degree programs to strengthen your skills. - Principles of Supervision and Management
In Principles of Supervision and Management (PSM), a certificate program for managers and supervisors, learn practical skills to support your team and be a manager/supervisor employees want to work for! Learn and practice skills to create and maintain a healthy, inclusive, and engaging work environment for employees. Manager and supervisor effectiveness in creating an environment which supports employees’ success is crucial to support UW–Madison’s mission “to create, integrate, transfer, and apply knowledge through innovative programs of research, teaching, and public service.” - Thought Partnership and Tailored Guidance on Organizational Effectiveness through the Office of Strategic Consulting
Complex problems require nuanced solutions. The Office of Strategic Consulting provides services tailored to your needs on everything from individual unit-level projects to university-wide initiatives. - Leadership Coaching offered through the Office of Strategic Consulting
Strategic Consulting’s leadership coaching is a highly personalized experience, tailored to your unique needs and goals. It promotes personal discovery and growth through conversations and activities designed to help you work towards established objectives. A typical coaching engagement consists of one or two sessions per month (we recommend a minimum of six sessions). However, this can be customized to accommodate your schedule and goals.
Faculty
As faculty of UW-Madison, you bring an academic lens to leadership that is unique. This is reflected in the listed opportunities. We also encourage you to also look at the individual and manager/supervisor tabs for additional opportunities.
- Ignite: Fueling Organizational Excellence
Ignite: Fueling Organizational Excellence features interactive workshops that focus on the tools and resources faculty and staff need to promote and sustain organizational excellence at UW–Madison. In these hour-long sessions, experts share ideas, methods, and approaches to help participants build skills to support continuous improvement and increase organizational effectiveness. Participants leave with stronger cross-campus networks, new strategies on how to improve their work, and the inspiration to implement their ideas. - Showcase
Showcase is free and open to all UW–Madison faculty, staff, and students, as well as community members. The day includes poster exhibits, poster flash talks, a keynote presentation, and a variety of breakout sessions that highlight campus strategic initiatives and best practices in the areas of process improvement, change management, organizational design, project management, and leadership. - Leadership Coaching offered through the Office of Strategic Consulting
Strategic Consulting’s leadership coaching is a highly personalized experience, tailored to your unique needs and goals. It promotes personal discovery and growth through conversations and activities designed to help you work towards established objectives. A typical coaching engagement consists of one or two sessions per month (we recommend a minimum of six sessions). However, this can be customized to accommodate your schedule and goals. - Thought Partnership and Tailored Guidance on Organizational Effectiveness through the Office of Strategic Consulting
Complex problems require nuanced solutions. The Office of Strategic Consulting provides services tailored to your needs on everything from individual unit-level projects to university-wide initiatives. - Fully Prepared to Lead
The core belief of Fully Prepared to Lead (FP2L) is that leadership is demonstrated in actions and behaviors, not in your position or authority. By attending these courses, you will feel empowered to positively influence your work environment and recognize the personal leadership that you bring to your role at UW‒Madison. - Kauffman Seminar
The Joseph F. Kauffman Administrative Development Program, also known as, The Kauffman Seminar, is designed to cultivate the next generation of campus leaders by providing an opportunity for participants to broaden their understanding of UW–Madison—its scope, structure, governance, history and culture. The Kauffman Seminar seeks to help participants develop a more nuanced picture of the university in its context to build a personal network of campus contacts and University leaders. Kauffman is here to help leaders situate their work within the structure and culture of UW–Madison. - Big Ten Academic Alliance, Academic Leadership Program
The Office of the Provost sponsors faculty and executive-level staff to participate in two Big Ten Academic Alliance professional development programs. The Academic Leadership Program is an academic-year fellowship to develop the leadership and managerial skills of faculty and executive-level staff. - Leadership in the LabA semester-long, cohort program designed specifically for early-career STEM faculty who are, or will be, leading a laboratory at UW-Madison.
Organizational Leaders
As one of the select few organizational leaders of UW-Madison, you are already a strong leader. UW continues to be invested in your growth through the following opportunities. We strongly encourage you to view the other tabs to be aware of opportunities for others to grow in their own leadership.
- Kauffman Seminar
The Joseph F. Kauffman Administrative Development Program, also known as, The Kauffman Seminar, is designed to cultivate the next generation of campus leaders by providing an opportunity for participants to broaden their understanding of UW–Madison—its scope, structure, governance, history and culture. The Kauffman Seminar seeks to help participants develop a more nuanced picture of the university in its context to build a personal network of campus contacts and University leaders. Kauffman is here to help leaders situate their work within the structure and culture of UW–Madison. - Leadership Essentials for New Department Chairs
Leadership Essentials participants are academic department chairs, and directors of department-like units, who have less than one year of experience in their role. The seminar will prepare participants to build an empowered community of faculty and staff and work alongside them to achieve the department’s goals. In highly interactive sessions, you’ll explore your leadership style, learn how to manage a variety of people, and develop strategies for building departmental morale. - Department Chairs Community of Practice
The Department Chairs Community of Practice is an opportunity for department chairs and academic center directors to connect with each other around academic leadership topics. In-person gatherings during the noon hour include lunch and start with 15 minutes of networking before facilitators and presenters lead the group in meaningful conversation. For virtual meetings, we encourage cameras to be turned on. Seeing each other helps us to build community, share ideas, conduct discussions, and learn together in a welcoming environment. - Department Chairs Peer Mentoring Program
The Department Chairs Peer Mentoring Program provides current department chairs, academic program directors, and SMPH section chiefs with an informal space to discuss issues and ideas with those in similar roles. The program includes both one-to-one matches and small group matches. All participants are peer mentors, and all current chairs, academic program directors, and section chiefs are invited to participate regardless of years of experience. After the program kick-off meeting (see below), participants schedule and facilitate their own meetings with their mentors. - Big Ten Academic Alliance, Academic Leadership Program
The Office of the Provost sponsors faculty and executive-level staff to participate in two Big Ten Academic Alliance professional development programs. The Academic Leadership Program is an academic-year fellowship to develop the leadership and managerial skills of faculty and executive-level staff. - Big Ten Academic Alliance, Department Executive Officers Program
The Office of the Provost sponsors faculty and executive-level staff to participate in two Big Ten Academic Alliance professional development programs: Academic Leadership Program and Department Executive Officers Seminar. The Department Executive Officers Seminar is a three-day seminar to develop the leadership and and managerial skills of department chairs. - MOR leadership Program (ITLP)
The ITLP Forward steering team is a steward of the UW–Madison IT Leadership Program (ITLP) focusing on 3 phases: nomination, participation, and post-graduation engagement. The ITLP Forward sponsor serves as a liaison between MOR Associates and UW–Madison.