UCSF Launches Faculty Leadership Collaborative

By Lisa Cisneros

UCSF is launching a new faculty leadership development program in response to a survey that found a need for more opportunities to support and advance faculty careers. Funded by the Chancellor's Council on Faculty Life, the UCSF Faculty Leadership Collaborative is being conducted by Coro Northern California, a nationally recognized leadership training organization. The program is designed for UCSF faculty who want to build community as well as their personal and professional development skills, awareness and knowledge. Through interactive seminars, the participants will:
  • Practice and strengthen personal leadership abilities such as public speaking, critical thinking and inquiry
  • Develop a network of leaders who transcend campus community divisions
  • Renew their commitment to civic participation and increase their confidence to initiate community change.
Faculty members at all stages of their careers are encouraged to apply for the program, which begins in January 2006. The deadline to submit an application is Monday, Nov. 14. "We would like to encourage participation of individuals who are or will play a role in defining the future of UCSF within their departments and/or through their school, Academic Senate and campus-wide activities," says Sally Marshall, associate vice chancellor of Academic Affairs. "This program is a great opportunity for the University to develop and retain talented faculty at UCSF." UCSF is inviting applicants for 32 available slots for the program that will be free of charge to participants. The participants will be selected strategically to have the greatest potential for success and make a broad impact to help change the climate at UCSF. Participants will include both current faculty leaders at UCSF and junior faculty who are interested in leadership positions or are thought to have leadership potential. The 10-session program requires a substantial commitment of time (65 hours) of the participants who will need to make adjustments to their schedules. The leadership collaborative is UCSF's latest response to a 2001 survey regarding the campus climate for faculty. Findings revealed that while faculty members relish the intellectual challenges and rewards of their work-life, survey respondents thought UCSF could be more supportive of their careers and personal life. Specifically, faculty, and women in particular, reported insufficient opportunities for appointments to leadership positions and membership on influential institutional committees. After analyzing the findings from this survey, the Chancellor's Task Force on Faculty Life made 10 major recommendations, one of which was the development of a leadership training program for faculty, both to improve their individual success and to improve the overall climate for faculty at UCSF. Other initiatives born out of the faculty climate survey include the new faculty welcoming receptions and an upcoming faculty-focused website that offers a one-stop webpage with links to critical campus and UC resources for academic appointees. Leadership program details and an application are posted online. Application materials must be sent by November 14 directly to: UCSF Faculty Leadership Collaborative, Office of the Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, UCSF Box 0401, Medical Sciences Building, Room S 101, San Francisco, CA 94143-0401.