Mentor Program Photo_2024

Staff Coaching and Professional Development

Our Vision

Our vision is to create a strengths-based culture that empowers and uplifts Student Affairs staff to maximize their potential. 

What We Do

Our unit supports the professional development, coaching and training needs of Student Affairs staff. We empower staff to reach their maximum potential by providing coursework on:

  • Supervising and Leadership
  • Professional and Career Development
  • Strengths-Based Development
  • Professional Coaching
  • Communication Skills
  • Mentorship and Networking
  • Staff Well-being
  • Team Building

Upcoming Events

Leading with Strengths

A three-day workshop focused on leadership development with a strengths-based lens and a coach approach to supervision. Eligible staff include professional staff who supervise at least 2 FTE professional staff members. Note that for supervisors of students, look out for the spring cohort.

  • Date/Time: December 8, 9 and 10  | 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
  • Location: The Multi-purpose Room at the Student Community Center
  • Extended deadline: Apply by November 15

Apply for Leading with Strengths

LEGO Serious Play: Goal Setting

This workshop utilizes LEGO Serious Play to help participants unlock interpersonal insights regarding personal goals, development, and vision. By allowing you to visualize and “build” their goals, participants see goals and development from a different angle.

  • Date/Time:
    • Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (FULL)
    • Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, 1-4 p.m.
  • Location: In person TBD
  • Sign up: open until filled

Sign up for LEGO Serious Play 

Coaching Circes for Supervisors

Coaching circles are organized groups of Student Affairs staff who come together around a common topic. Unlike a typical workshop, a learning circle is focused on support and real-world conversation about challenges Student Affairs staff are facing. In a coaching circle, the members actively guide the direction of the discussion and learning, engaging in the learning and facilitating process. This approach helps participants build on their own coaching skills and mindset while sharing and learning from colleagues.

  • Who Can Apply: Student Affairs staff who either serve in a supervisory capacity to students or career staff.
  • Date/Time:
    • Cohort A, Supervisors of Students, Wednesdays, Jan 14, Jan 28, Feb 11, Feb 25, March 11, 10- 11:30 am
    • Cohort B, Supervisors of Career Staff, Thursdays, Jan 22, Feb 5, Feb 19, March 5, March 19, 10- 11:30 am
  • Location: ARC, 2nd Floor Conference Room.
  • Sign up by December 19

Sign Up for Coaching Circles

Wellness Wednesday: Holiday Crafting Edition

Join your Student Affairs colleagues for Wellness Wednesdays, a new quarterly series designed to support holistic wellbeing, strengthen connections across departments and highlight the many inspiring spaces and experiences UC Davis has to offer. Each event focuses on an element of wellness such as social, creative, physical or environmental wellness.

The December edition theme is "The Gift of Well-Being: Crafting for the Holidays."

  • Date/Time: December 17  | 2-4 p.m.
  • Location: Craft Center
  • Sign up: open until filled

Sign up for Wellness Wednesday 

Ongoing Opportunities

Apply for Professional Coaching  

Request a Workshop/Learning Experience

 

Reach Out To Us!

Are you looking for a professional development, networking or wellbeing opportunity that Student Affairs doesn't yet offer? Please use the button below to provide your feedback and suggestions about programs you would like to see in the future.

What Programs Would You Like to See?