MSAP catalyzes professional development planning for ANR staff

Jona Pressman, UC Cooperative Extension nutrition program manager in Butte County, and Jing Yu, UC ANR financial services manager at UCOP, both attended the 2015 Management Skills Assessment Program (MSAP) at the UCLA Conference Center at Lake Arrowhead in October. The goal of MSAP is to address skill gaps and grow competencies that will prepare internal employees for future leadership roles in their UC workplaces.

During the four-day program, Pressman and Yu participated in simulated UC management scenarios, received behavioral feedback, attended a career development workshop and connected with colleagues from throughout the UC system. Before arriving at Lake Arrowhead, they participated in pre-assessment components and will be involved post-program activities to continue their professional development.

“I appreciate the opportunity I had to spend time focused on my own professional development through MSAP,” Pressman said of the experience. “Having time away from the office and dedicated to training participation was rewarding. MSAP helped me identify professional development areas that are essential for me to work toward as I continue to design my individual development plan.

“The MSAP activities were engaging, challenging and intense at times,” she said. “I think this kept me ‘hooked' into utilizing my time to participate fully in the training. I was able to set work tasks aside and concentrate on authentic professional development.”

“I met colleagues throughout UC who are all leaders in some capacity for an array of programs and campuses,” Pressman added. “I made new friends and have a greater appreciation for the diversity of programs, projects and people. MSAP is one such program with excellent facilitators and coaches. I feel fortunate to have received the individualized coaching and analysis of my work.”

Yu's sentiments were similar. “MSAP focused on assessing my skills and providing me feedback, which I will translate into my individual skill development plans,” Yu said. “It was a wonderful program, I think it's the best development opportunity I've had with UC.”

The next MSAP will be held April 18-21, 2016.  Department heads, unit leaders and directors are urged to discuss the program with supervisors and managers who exhibit potential for management development and to encourage them to apply for the MSAP. The call for staff applications is at //ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=19609.

Completed applications must be submitted online at http://msap.ucr.edu by Wednesday, Jan. 20. For more information, contact Jodi Azulai, ANR Training and Development coordinator, at jlazulai@ucanr.edu.

 

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