Office of Human Resources
Building Bridges Across Maryland
In 2008, the Office of Human Resources launched a unique training, networking, and development program for support staff at area colleges and universities. Modeled after the President’s Leadership Institute at Towson University, the Building Bridges program fosters collaboration and idea sharing between select employees at Goucher College, Loyola University in Maryland, Notre Dame University of Maryland, Maryland Institute College of Art, Towson University, and the University of Baltimore.
There are now two programs—one for Administrative Support Staff and one for Supervisors. Both include a cohort of five individuals from each institution listed above who attend six sessions—one held at each participating institution. Programs begin with a Kickoff session that brings participants and their supervisors together to learn what is expected to complete the program and get to know each other. After the final session, participants, along with their supervisors, will be invited to attend a formal graduation where they will receive a certificate of completion. We have graduated three cohorts from our Administrative Support Staff program, two cohorts from our Supervisor program, and we have held one graduate program that welcomed back participants from previous cohorts. One of the program goals is to keep program graduates engaged.
Want to be nominated?
To be nominated to the program, contact your supervisor. Your supervisor will let your divisional vice president know of your interest. Vice Presidents send their nominations to the Training and Development unit of the Office of Human Resources.
Program Details
Higher education is ever evolving and our support staff play a vital role in our continued success and growth. After conducting two cohorts for support staff, we decided to conduct a similar needs assessment of our supervisors in 2009. Upon review, we recognized the same networking limitations and need for skill development for our supervisors. The same six local higher education institutions that partnered to create the award-winning collaborative cohort program for support staff, partnered to offer another program for supervisors in 2010.
Supervisor Cohorts
The second supervisor cohort program began in June 2011 and concluded in January 2012. The theme of this year's program was “Managing in Turbulent Times.” Session topics included:
|
|
|
- Project Planning/Management
|
- Performance Management/Coaching and Counseling
|
- Leading/Coping with Change
|
Administrative Support Staff Cohorts
Our fourth Administrative Support Staff program will conclude in April 2012. Session topics include:
|
- Working with You is Killing Me
|
|
- Preparing for Difficult Conversations
|
- Customer Service Excellence
|
- Staying Organized While Balancing Multiple Priorities
|
Program Alumni
Program graduates were invited back on April 5, 2011 to continue their professional development. They had the opportunity to reconnect/meet cohort members from the past two years and attend a workshop titled Working with You is Killing Me. We are currently working on an event for spring 2012.
_______________________________________________________________________________
In tough economic times like these, collaborating with area colleges and universities is a great way to implement programs with little cost, but high return on investment!
|
