In June I wrote via this blog about an upcoming professional development program for emerging IT leaders across the UC system – the UC IT Leadership, Innovation and Collaboration Program. The inaugural cohort participated in the first module, August 31 – September 2, at the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley. Haas faculty taught sessions on effective leadership, change management, strategic innovation, and team collaboration.
Participant Annelie Rugg, Humanities CIO at UCLA’s Center for Digital Humanities, said, “The right time, the right place, and the right people learning the best of what Berkeley Haas teaches its MBAs about what it means to be a curve-bending leader — this was the gift of UC CIO Tom Andriola to me and over 30 leaders from all UC campuses and medical centers. I enjoyed the instant and intense engagement with great faculty and talented peers, and the trust that I’ve been given to get out there and make a difference.”
Participants also loved the Q&A session with UC President Janet Napolitano. She discussed the role of IT at UC, and the importance of IT leadership. “I think a leader needs to have vision and bring people along who share that same vision. You should all have a joint vision around what the IT role is. How do we want to be known? How will we measure success?”
Investing in IT leadership, such as through this program, is the best way to transform the role of IT at UC. Andrew Isaacs (pictured right), the program’s faculty director, said, “Strong leadership across the IT community at UC is ever more essential, as the role of IT is continuing to grow and change. In addition to leading teams, IT leaders need to know how to strategically innovate, collaborate, and prepare for the future. This program is an opportunity for UC IT leaders to learn those things.”
The program’s second and final module takes place December 8 – 10. In between modules, participants are collaborating on team projects and continuing to explore their competencies and skills. I am really looking forward to December and already planning future sessions of the program in the coming years!
Image credit: Leah Burns, IT Communications Coordinator, UCOP