middle aged manager presents report to two colleagues

UMC Fall 2023

Offered online from September to December 2023, now with 3 hours of one-on-one executive coaching for each participant

Applications are closed. UMC Fall 2024 details coming soon.

Fees: $2,310 plus GST
Pricing subject to change without notice.

Each synchronous session includes a 30-minute focused discussion in breakout rooms and a chance to meet and network in smaller groups, reinforcing what you learned. We are also integrating new tools including whiteboard, crowd sourcing and Padlet for increased interaction. References and materials to be posted online one week prior to each session, for online reading and reflection.

2023 Program schedule and discussion topics

Sept. 27
10:30 am to 1:00 pm CST
Panel of Leaders – Introduction to the post-secondary landscape in Canada: Key issues in 2024
Oct. 4
10:30 am to 1:00 pm CST
EDI – A cross-cutting theme
Oct. 18
10:30 am to 1:00 pm CST
Governance and oversight: Roles and responsibilities
Oct. 25
10:30 am to 1:00 pm CST
Managing resources: Planning and budgeting in higher education
Nov. 8
10:30 am to 1:00 pm CDT
Managing yourself and managing others: Building your network for advancement and support
Nov. 22
10:30 am to 1:00 pm CDT
Developing a coaching approach: Building and sustaining effective teams
Nov. 29
10:30 am to 1:00 pm CDT
Providing effective feedback: Managing and mitigating conflict
Dec. 7
10:30 am to 1:00 pm CDT
Building your personal leadership skills: Guiding principles and values

What can I expect from an executive coach?

Your executive coach is committed to responding directly to you. You are in charge, and it will be important that you leverage your strengths, rather than attempt to become someone you’re not. You will become aware of those natural parts of your personality or style that can get in the way of the results you desire. The coaching component will enhance the self-awareness, growth and development in leadership skills you learn in UMC as added value.

Coaching will help you to find clarity. Clarity about your personal leadership (how you lead in your own life, take care of you, etc.); determination of your professional high-payoff activities; how to set dream goals (in work and life), and then work toward smaller goals to achieve success; how to engage in meaningful, sometimes challenging, yet fruitful discussions; and how to have accountability become a norm in your environment.

The results will grow out of what you identify as most important for your journey.

Session 1

During the first week, you will develop 1 to 3 goals to work on during UMC.

Session 2

Mid-way through UMC, you will align learning from the program with your goals and integrate it back into your workplace. What you want to achieve personally and professionally will become much clearer.

Session 3

One month after UMC ends, the magic happens. You will consider how you are going to keep the learning alive, how you will continue to develop as a leader, and define your six-month learning plan. You will identify a mentor internal or external to your own higher education institution who will help you to assess your progress on your goals and determine where you need to focus.

Explore your career options with UMC

The knowledge and skills you acquire in this course could be valuable in the following careers. Explore these options. Learn which top skills are required, how many are currently employed, and what they are earning.

Course description

  • Join us this fall for an interactive learning and networking experience to enhance and build your higher education management skills. UMC  2023 will incorporate interactive presentations, polls, discussions, case studies, small group work and three executive coaching sessions for each participant. Participants will be encouraged to share experience and insights through a community of practice approach to learning. Indigenization and EDI (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) and Decolonization are cross-cutting themes, touching all aspects of higher education and are central within the program.  This is a key program for higher education administrators and managers as we face the challenges of the new higher education landscape.

    Delivery methods

    Online delivery continues, providing accessibility regardless of time, travel and budget constraints. It is also a sustainable option, helping us all to reduce our carbon footprint.

  • Keyboard with red online learning button

Course outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

  • develop an awareness of the landscape of post-secondary education in Canada framing EDI (Equity Diversity Inclusion) as an overarching theme
  • explain the governance, structure, role and responsibilities of higher education institutions
  • articulate the planning processes and budgeting models in higher education
  • develop effective team and people management skills, including but not limited to coaching approaches appropriate to multi-union environments including negotiation and conflict management strategies
  • grow confidence and personal leadership through application of leadership theory, models, and skills to situations in postsecondary education and model ethical decision making and behaviour towards students, staff and faculty in your institution
  • reflect on your development needs and those of others within your institution in order to create a learning organization

UMC facilitation team

George A. MacLean

George A. MacLean,  Former Vice-President (Academic), University of New Brunswick

George A. MacLean is a professor of Political Science in the Faculty of Arts at the University of New Brunswick. He is also an adjunct faculty member in Political Science and a research fellow at the Centre for the Study of Security and Development at Dalhousie University. 

Previously, George served as Vice-President (Academic) at the University of New Brunswick from 2016 to 2021, and Dean of Arts at UNB from 2014 to 2016. At the University of Manitoba, he was Associate Dean of Graduate Studies from 2011 to 2014, and Department Head in Political Studies from 2005 to 2011.

Recipient of multiple awards for teaching and research, and listed by Maclean’s as one of the top profs, George has presented lectures in the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Europe, and Asia. He has worked with the Canadian government on matters of foreign and security policy and has appeared before Canadian Senate and House of Commons hearings. George's articles have appeared in publications including Journal of Human Security, International Journal of Canadian Studies, Foreign Policy Review, Whitehead Journal of Diplomacy and International Relations, Revista Mexicana de Estudios Canadienses, The Australian Journal of International Affairs, Policy Options, Journal of Conflict Studies, Canadian Foreign Policy, and Journal of World Affairs and New Technology.

Dru Marshall

Dru Marshall, Former Provost and VP Academic, University of Calgary

Dru Marshall served as the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) of the University of Calgary from 2011 to 2021. She is currently on administrative leave.

A nationally recognized leader with nearly 30 years of post-secondary sector experience, Dru has previously served as the chair of the U-15 Group of Canadian Research Universities Provosts, and as the only non-American executive committee member on the Council of Academic Affairs of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities. She has been recognized as one of Canada’s WXN Top 100 most powerful women and as one of the most influential women in sport and physical activity in Canada by the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport and Physical Activity. For her work in high performance sport in Canada, she was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. 

Dru holds a BPE with distinction from the University of Manitoba, and an MSc and PhD in Exercise Physiology from the University of Alberta. She credits her coaching experience for helping in part to shape her executive leadership style and to earn her reputation as a strong team leader, team builder and mentor.

Petra Bergner

Petra Bergner, Associate Vice-President of People & Culture, University of New Brunswick 

Petra Bergner joined the University of New Brunswick family during COVID in August 2020. As per her personal motto, be brave, she jumped into the role and lead virtually during the pandemic. In her short time at the university, Petra has developed a 10-year HR People Strategy that aligns with UNB’s 2030 Strategic Vision and supports the Fourth Pillar - A People-Centric, Values-Informed University Community. Both strategic documents support people to realize their full potential; increase participation of equity-seeking groups in leadership roles; and foster a culture of support, recognition, and celebration that equally supports people from all backgrounds. 

With over 30 years in the people business, Petra is passionate about equity, diversity, and inclusion. This has been evident throughout her career. She has continued to expand her knowledge and education, earning a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation in 2005, a Master of Arts in leadership in 2008, a graduate certificate in executive coaching in 2009, and a provincial instructor diploma in 2011. 

Adam Gaudry

Adam Gaudry, Vice Dean, Research and Graduate Studies, Faculty of Native Studies, University of Alberta

Adam Gaudry is vice dean, Research and Graduate Studies, and professor in the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta. He is from a Métis family that immigrated to Ontario from the Red River, and grew up in Southern Ontario. He holds both  undergraduate and master’s degrees from Queen’s University and a PhD from the University of Victoria. Adam’s scholarly work focuses on Indigenization at Canadian universities, in particular the implementation of Indigenization policy in research, teaching, and service activities across Canadian campuses. 

Donna Janiec

Donna Janiec, Vice-Principal, Finance and Administration, Queen’s University and Past President, CAUBO

Donna Janiec, CPA, CA, was appointed Vice-Principal (Finance and Administration) in October 2016. She also serves on the CAUBO Executive Committee and Board of Directors and is vice-chair of the Council of Senior Administrative Officers, a committee of the Council of Ontario Universities.

Donna received her undergraduate degree from the University of Waterloo and went on to article with PricewaterhouseCoopers (then Coopers & Lybrand) in Barbados and Toronto, obtaining her Chartered Accountant (CA) designation in 1987. After nearly 10 years in public accounting, managing the audits of large public corporations and not-for-profit organizations, Donna joined Queen’s University in 1994 where she held the position of Associate Vice-Principal (Finance) from 2009 to 2016.

Guest presenters

Opening keynote


TBA

Guest presenters


TBA

Nomination process

Participants are selected by their home institutions for nomination. Universities and colleges are encouraged to nominate individuals both in academic and administrative positions who would benefit from attending a higher education management development program. Nominees should apply directly via the online application form.

Applications are closed. UMC Fall 2024 details coming soon.

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Extended Education
185 Extended Education Complex
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

204-474-8800
Toll free: 1-888-216-7011