Description
The UMass Amherst Leadership Academy expands the effectiveness of supervisors, managers and leaders to strengthen their capacity to build a community of choice by aligning the University’s values and mission with a successful practice of managing people, building relationships and driving results.
UMass Amherst Values:
- Excellence
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
- Openness
- Integrity and Stewardship
- Innovation
- Impact
The Leadership Academy is comprised of 3 multi-modal learning programs that support current supervisors and managers at various levels providing information and skill development.
The Leadership Academy is open to UMass Amherst employees only; not for supervisors of only undergrad or graduate student employees. WLD has resources specific to supervising student workers.
Note: The instruction format will be in-class sessions unless otherwise noted.
If you are a non-UMass employee and are interested in obtaining supervisor development training, please contact Workplace Learning & Development for additional information: wld@admin.umass.edu.
Eligibility and Completion Requirements
The Leadership Academy programs are open to UMass Amherst employees only; not for supervisors of only undergrad or graduate student employees. WLD has resources specific to supervising student workers.
Note: The instruction format will be in-class sessions unless otherwise noted.
Focus: Understanding the complexities of supervising at the University, strengthening foundational skills, core competencies and key behaviors needed to be an effective supervisor.
Curriculum includes:
- understanding one’s management style
- creating positive team culture
- managing a flex workforce
- coaching as supervision
- managing performance
- and other topics and activities
Eligibility: The Foundations of Supervision program is for emerging supervisors at UMass Amherst, as well as those new to supervising in the University environment. Eligible individuals must:
- currently be in a role of a direct supervisor at UMass Amherst* and
- have 2 years or less of supervising experience at UMass or
- have supervisory experience and are new to supervision in the university environment.
*A direct supervisor is the person to which an employee directly reports and who supervises the employee's work on a regular basis.
Class participant capacity: 30
Completion requirements to obtain a Certificate of Completion:
- attend all in-person sessions
- 7 online Moodle courses (approximately 20-40 min. each)
- 1 one-hour coaching session with a WLD coach
- 2 hours of self-directed course assignments (includes: readings, worksheets, self-reflection activities, final project)
Focus: Exploring the complexity of supervision at the University, allowing supervisors to build upon their current skill level to become more effective in their roles.
Eligibility: Individuals with more than 2 years of supervisory experience and are currently in a supervisory or management role at UMass Amherst.
Class participant capacity: 26
Completion requirements to obtain a Certificate of Completion:
- attend all in-person sessions
- 6 online Moodle courses (approximately 20-40 min. each)
- 1 one-hour group coaching session
- 2 hours of self-directed course assignments (includes: readings, worksheets, self-reflection activities, final project)
Focus: Understanding of leadership dynamics, and providing tools and methods to create clear forward thinking strategies.
Eligibility: Emerging and experienced leaders.
Completion Requirements:
TBA
Application Process, Program Dates
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Discuss your interest in the program with your manager. Consider ways your participation in the program can improve your performance and engagement as well as for your team.
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Submit your program specific application at any time but before the application deadline listed below.
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Monitor your email for further information to confirm your enrollment and next steps.

Apply online deadline: September 23, 2023
Session Times |
Fall 2023 |
---|---|
9:00 am to 4:00 pm | October 17 |
9:00 am to 4:00 pm | October 24 |
9:00 am to 4:00 pm | November 7 |
9:00 am to 1:30 pm | November 29 |
Essentials of Management: To be announced
Strategic Leadership: To be determined
Individual Classes for Supervisory Skill Development
NEW! A selection of in-depth classes for current supervisors to sharpen their skills, or for any employee interested in growing their career.
Supervisory Skill Development Classes:
Communication Fundamentals
Managing Work Fundamentals
Self-Awareness Fundamentals
- Classes run from 9am-3pm (full attendance is required) and will be offered monthly - times are subject to change.
- Instructors: Workplace Learning & Development
- Registration required (no application needed)
- This is not a certificate-granting program
- Instruction format: Lecture, group discussions, short readings, interactive exercises, practice, resource library