UC Women’s Initiative for Professional Development (UC WI)

UC Women's Initiative
for Professional Development

Testimonials

• UC WI is a unique program for staff and faculty in the UC where we are all leveled and valued for our innate selves. UC WI offers time for reflection, connection and growth. After completing the program, UC WI participants feel enabled to find their path toward professional and personal growth in the UC.
• UC WI is a meaningful opportunity to build on your professional skills, communicate your value to the organization and build connection and network beyond your home campus.
• Participating in UC WI has been a game-changer for me! I completed the program more inspired and confident in my ability to utilize my knowledge, skills and the tools provided to impact change, self-advocate and be of service to others.

What is the UC Women's Initiative for Professional Development?

The UC Women’s Initiative for Professional Development (UC WI) is a unique, experiential, systemwide professional development program to support the success and advancement of mid-career, woman-identified professionals and is open to all employees who support and are committed to this mission. The program brings together participants from every UC location. Participants represent faculty, academic personnel and staff, people managers and non-people managers.

The program is sponsored by the President’s office and the Systemwide Advisory Committee on the Status of Women (SACSW) and offered by Systemwide Human Resources in partnership with Coro Northern California and SACSW.

UC WI is committed to enabling the full participation, success and advancement of woman-identified professionals at the University. The program is open to all employees who support and are committed to this mission.

UC WI is a personal, professional development program designed to:

• Cultivate a professional network that spans the UC system
• Provide access to top UC leaders to learn about their diverse leadership approaches and journeys
• Strengthen skills and confidence through hands-on practice with a range of tools in the areas of:
  • Self-awareness and reflection
  • Professional development and impact
  • Strategic relationship building
  • Developing and delivering a compelling narrative regarding one’s professional accomplishments and vision
  • Negotiating for yourself at work
  • Peer coaching

While concepts and tools discussed during UC WI may be applied to leadership or management roles within UC, it is not a leadership or management development program. If this is an area of interest, contact your local learning and development team to learn more about leadership or management development programs offered at each location.

Nomination process overview

Nominations for the UC WI Professional Development program are paused pending a full program review to ensure ongoing alignment with UC employee professional and leadership development goals, as well as inclusive workplace goals. Nominations are not being accepted at this time. Please contact ucwomensinitiative@ucop.edu with inquiries.