Professional & Organizational Development

Staff Development Program

Designed with the intention of fostering a workplace that is inviting and engaging for all, this program aimed 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 was geared towards classified staff and professional staff in grades 5–8.

This new program received a tremendous response upon launching in October 2022 and quickly reached its capacity.

Participants are 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.

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

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

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

Institutional outcomes for the 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.

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.