Unit Head Onboarding & Training

We offer in-person workshops to increase leadership capacity, as well as asynchronous learning via Community Canvas for technical skills and knowledge acquisition. You can choose to engage in year-long in-person workshops, episodic asynchronous learning with in-person follow ups, or entirely asynchronous content. Learn more about the leadership behaviors that we value in UO’s Unit Heads. We celebrate excellence in leadership through Outstanding Department Head Awards.

Quarterly Timely Updates   |   New Unit Heads Monthly Series   |   Unit Heads Community Canvas Site   |   Peer Leadership Coaching Program

 

Quarterly Timely Updates

Academic year cycle time-sensitive information and current contexts

 

Meeting Dates

  • SEPTEMBER 12, 2025

    Summit for Academic Leaders 

    Friday, All day. EMU Ballroom

  •  

    October 29, 2025

    All Unit Heads - Fall Timely Updates

    Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Location: TBA

  • FEBRUARY 25, 2026

    All Unit Heads - Winter Timely Updates 

    Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. 
    Location: TBA

  •  

    April 29, 2026

    All Unit Heads - Spring Timely Updates 

    Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
    Location: TBA

 

New Unit Heads Monthly Series

Year-long series supporting new unit heads in their first year

 

This year-long series supports new unit heads as they examine their leadership styles, identify effective skills on which to build, and lead their units with equity and purpose. It kicks off each year with a day-long Onboarding Day at the end of the spring term preceding new unit heads’ assumption of their roles. 

  • Onboarding Day: Friday, June 9, 2025
  • Monthly meetings: First Wednesdays from October to May 
NewHeads22.23

 

Unit Heads Community Canvas Site

Resources for all unit heads, all the time

 

On the Unit Heads Community Canvas Site, you'll find agendas and training materials for all meetings, plus asynchronous training content addressing:

  • Teaching & Curriculum
  • Program Review, Assessment & Data Access
  • Resources for your Faculty
  • People Support & Review
  • Administration of the Unit 

Bookmark the Canvas Site

 

Peer Leadership Coaching Program

Program for unit heads seeking mentorship and leadership development through a coaching approach

 

The Peer Leadership Coaching Program pairs graduates of the UO Leadership Academy with faculty in a leadership position. 

Coaching pairs will be encouraged to meet every 2-4 weeks, with a check-in from the coordinators midway through the experience. Coaches will receive additional training each year through the UO Peer Coaching Network kick off.

Looking for more leadership training? Consider applying to UO’s Leadership Academy!