Professional & Organizational Development

BIPOC Staff Development Program

Designed with the intention of fostering a workplace that is inviting and engaging for all, this program aims to support the professional development of BIPOC staff and drive a culture of inclusion at the UW. While open to all permanent, benefits-eligible UW staff on a space-available basis, the program is geared towards classified staff and professional staff in grades 5–8.

This new program received a tremendous response upon launching in October 2022 and is at capacity. Program enrollment may reopen in the future, contingent upon funding.


Participants will be required to:

  • Complete core program requirements.
  • Choose one area of specialization for their individual professional development and complete courses in their chosen area: Administrative Excellence, Human Resources Administration or Supervisory Skills.
  • Participate in Centering BIPOC Voices events and learning pods.

Time needed to complete the program will vary. You can learn more about the program curriculum and requirements in the Curriculum guide (PDF) and in the Welcome to the BIPOC Staff Development Program online class.

Staff who successfully complete the program will receive one of the following certificates, depending on their chosen area of specialization:

  • BIPOC Staff Development Program Certificate in Administrative Excellence
  • BIPOC Staff Development Program Certificate in Human Resources Administration
  • BIPOC Staff Development Program Certificate in Supervisory Skills

Staff who successfully complete the program will be given credit for six months of experience when applying for UW jobs related to their area of specialization.

Institutional outcomes for the BIPOC Staff Development Program include creating a more welcoming and engaging workplace for BIPOC staff, increasing retention of BIPOC staff and advancing a culture of inclusion.

This program aligns with:

  • UWHR’s strategic priorities around fostering employee engagement, supporting an inclusive workplace culture and enhancing retention efforts in concert with UW’s diversity and inclusion goals and initiatives.
  • Diversity Blueprint 2022–2026 Goal 1: Cultivate an accessible, inclusive and equitable climate and Goal 4: Attract and retain diverse staff.
  • Campus Climate Survey findings around lack of belonging and career development.

Participants have one year to complete core requirements and three years to complete requirements in their chosen area of specialization (Administrative Excellence, HR Administration or Supervisory Skills).

According to the University’s release time policy, employees are “released from normal work duties and compensated at the regular rate of pay to attend staff training and development programs designed to assist in developing and/or improving job skills” for “up to a maximum of 24 hours per quarter plus the travel time to and from class” and “employees who are not scheduled to work during the time a course is offered may participate in the course; however, no compensatory time off or additional compensation will be allowed.”

Time required to participate in this program each quarter will vary depending on how quickly participants complete requirements yet should fall well below the release time maxes for full-time employees and even for most part-time employees. Employees nearing their quarterly max can simply complete some requirements in a future quarter.