Dean’s Office Debuts Training, Learning Opportunities for A&S Staff

A Dean’s Office initiative to support professional development opportunities for Arts & Sciences staff members led to the introduction of several new programs this past academic year.

The A&S Dean’s Office, in collaboration with UVA HR’s Learning and Development team, piloted a year-long Mentor Rings program, with 21 staff members collaborating with four A&S colleagues volunteering as mentors. As suggested by the program’s name, Mentor Rings invited staff members of varying levels of experience from various A&S departments and divisions to organize in groups — or “rings” — of four to six mentees per volunteer mentor to explore career-building topics such as networking, career mapping and navigating difficult conversations.

The program celebrated its conclusion with the presenting of certificates of completion to the Mentor Rings mentees and mentors at an April 23 wrap party.

A week later, the Dean’s Office  sponsored a Management Foundations Workshop for A&S staff supervisors. Forty staff managers from across Arts & Sciences attended the daylong workshop facilitated by The Management Center. The workshop featured sessions on the foundations of effective management, including “conspiring & aligning with your team,” “powerful delegation,” and “staying engaged to get results.”

The Management Foundations Workshop will be offered again in August for incoming chairs, directors, and other staff members.

“We’re fortunate to have extraordinary talent across our staff, and it’s our responsibility to cultivate an environment where that talent can thrive, ” said Kerry Grannis, Associate Dean and A&S Chief of Staff. “By prioritizing high-quality support from managers, mentors and peers, we’re creating the conditions for staff to flourish in their roles advancing student success and groundbreaking research.”

Another program has been offering rewards to A&S staff members since November 2023. Since its creation, the Spot Bonus Program has awarded 105 bonuses to A&S staff members totaling $53,000 and 260 hours of recognition leave.

“The A&S Spot Bonus Program is a quick way for supervisors to recognize a staff member who goes above and beyond when extra help is needed,” said Debbie White, director of office operations for the Dean’s Office.

To learn more about the Mentor Rings pilot and upcoming learning opportunities, visit the Staff Affairs intranet page.