Extended Education

University Management Course (UMC)

Prepare for administration and management in higher education with this important annual professional development opportunity for higher education administrators and managers including department heads, directors, managers and senior executive assistants. Participants from across the post-secondary sector in Canada, from universities to polytechnics and colleges, develop their leadership and management skills with UMC.

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UMC Fall 2025

Offered online from September 24 to December 3, 2025, with 2 hours of one-on-one executive coaching for each participant

Fees: $2,600 plus GST
Pricing subject to change without notice.

All sessions will be synchronous including presentations, activities such as but not limited to role-playing, case studies and breakout rooms. Sessions will be three hours in length providing 30 minutes at the conclusion of each sessions to ask additional questions of the facilitators or meet with them one-on-one. All references and materials will be posted online one week prior to each session, for further reading and reflection. This year, the program will be delivered on  Microsoft Teams.

2025 Program schedule and discussion topics

Sept. 24
10:30 am to 1:30 pm CDT
Introduction
EDIA in practice
Oct. 1
10:30 am to 1:30 pm CDT
Governance and oversight, roles and responsibilities
Oct. 15
10:30 am to 1:30 pm CDT
Leadership across multiple levels in the academy
Leading and managing change
Oct. 22
10:30 am to 1:30 pm CDT
Planning and managing resources
Leveraging supports
Nov. 5
10:30 am to 1:30 pm CST
Developing a coaching approach in your leadership and management
Nov. 19
10:30 am to 1:30 pm CST
Having difficult conversations and providing feedback
Nov. 26
10:30 am to 1:30 pm CST
Building and maintaining effective teams
Dec. 3
10:30 am to 1:30 pm CST
Plenary case study

What can I expect from an executive coach?

All participants in UMC will have two sessions with 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. All participants will receive three one-hour coaching sessions throughout the course. Session times and dates will be provided by your executive coach once your course has commenced.

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.

Course description

  • Join us this fall for an interactive learning and networking experience to enhance and build your higher education management skills. UMC 2025 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 experiences and insights through a community of practice approach to learning. EDIA remains a cross-cutting theme. This is a key program for higher education administrators and managers to build their capacity to face the challenges of the new higher education landscape and move in new directions.

    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 EDIA as an overarching theme
  • explain the governance, structure, role and responsibilities of higher education institutions including universities, polytechnics and colleges
  • articulate the planning processes and allocation of resources 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 to create a learning organization

UMC facilitation team

Alan Davis

Alan Davis, President and Vice Chancellor, Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Alan Davis was appointed to his current position in 2012. Alan studied chemistry at University College London, and at Simon Fraser University, where he was awarded his PhD in 1980.

He is a Past President and Distinguished Member of the Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education and taught for many years in the University of Manitoba’s Centre for Higher Education Research and Development (CHERD).

Alan has held leadership positions at institutions in the United States and Canada, including roles at the British Columbia Open University, Athabasca University, Niagara College and Vancouver Community College. From 2008 to 2012, he served as President of Empire State University at the State University of New York.

Aside from his academic contributions through teaching and scholarship, he is also a published playwright.

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.

Petra Bergner

Petra Bergner, Former 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. 

Guest presenters

Jeff Leclerc

Jeff Leclerc

Jeff Leclerc, University Secretary, University of Manitoba

Jeff Leclerc has held the role of University Secretary at the University of Manitoba since 2003. As University Secretary, Jeff is a member of the President’s Executive Team and senior governance officer of the university, providing advice and guidance on jurisdiction, strategy, policy and process and ensuring the effective operation of the university’s bicameral governance system.

Jeff holds a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Manitoba, completed the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University, and holds the Chartered Director designation. Active in his community, he also currently serves as a member of the Pension Committee for the University of Manitoba Pension Plans and as trustee of the United Way of Winnipeg.

Martha Mathurin Moe

Martha Mathurin Moe

Martha Mathurin Moe, Vice-Provost, Accessibility, Belonging and Community University of Lethbridge

Born and raised in Saint Lucia, West Indies, Martha Mathurin-Moe holds a BA degree from the Universidad Central de Las Villas, Cuba, a Master of Education in Educational Psychology from the University of Regina and is a doctoral candidate in Curriculum and Instruction. 

Martha's experience consists of 10 years in Banking and Finance, over seven years in Human Resources Development, and eight years in International Education. Her previous roles include Manager of Talent Development at the Public Service Commission, Government of Saskatchewan, and Associate Director of Study Abroad & Mobility at UR International at the University of Regina. Her work in international education has afforded her the possibility to participate in several educational forums in Brazil, Canada, China, Cuba, Norway, Mexico, Germany, Italy, and the United States. She is recipient of the 2016 University of Regina’s President’s Award for Service Excellence.

Martha is a skilled facilitator and values-based leader who advocates for equitable and inclusive workplaces for all. She is very keen on developing learning opportunities that create an environment where all students, no matter their race, gender/gender expression, neurodiversity, or ethnic background, feel represented in their learning space. 

Application process

Applicants from universities, polytechnics and colleges apply directly. Please apply early. Class size is limited.

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Contact us

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

extended@umanitoba.ca
204-474-8800
Toll free: 1-888-216-7011