MEP Overview and Session Descriptions

Program Summary

The Management Enrichment Program (MEP) is designed to provide a framework for enhancing decision-making and leadership skills, particularly in key areas such as strategic planning, financial management, and human resources, along with achieving an understanding of the context in which decisions are made at UCLA.  Ideally, participants have experience as chief administrative/financial managers of academic and administrative departments. Participants in the MEP are expected to occupy positions typically graded at the Manager/MSP1 level and above, although consideration will be given to positions at PSS 5 or equivalent.

Upon completion of the program, each participant will have gained an increased understanding of the theory and practice of high-level decision-making, the context within which decisions are made at UCLA, and membership in a broader cohort of UCLA problem solvers/decision-makers.

The MEP consists of eight Zoom-based sessions, each of which will last approximately four hours. The sessions are intended to be interactive and will be facilitated. Included in each session will be a presentation by subject experts, case-studies and/or group work, presentation/discussion by a panel of UCLA senior managers, and time for Q&A throughout the session.

MEP Overview and Orientation
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
The purpose of this session is to provide participants with an overview of program objectives and opportunity to interact with the MEP Executive Sponsors.

Strategic Focus
Date: Wednesday, March 10, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the theory and practice of strategic planning, the opportunities and challenges facing UCLA, and the leadership skills, knowledge, and abilities needed to meet them. Examples of decision-making will be shared.

Effective Staffing and Compensation Practices
Date: Wednesday, March 24, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Through case studies, this session will reinforce the critical nature of effective staffing and selection decisions, related key success factors, and compensation strategies.

Leadership and Governance
Date: Thursday, April 15, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
This session will provide an overview of leadership principles, challenges faced by senior leaders, and UCLA’s leadership structure within the context of shared governance.

Problem Solving
Date: Tuesday, April 27, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
The purpose of this session is to provide participants with key principles for problem-solving and a template to use for decision-making.

Conflict Management and Communication
Date: Tuesday, May 11, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
This session provides an overview of the theory and practice of conflict management, along with practiced examples of employee relations challenges that arise in an academic environment.

Operational to Financial Planning
Date: Thursday, May 27, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
This session will help participants translate operational goals and objectives into financial plans that will facilitate achieving desired results.

Diversity to Inclusion to Civility
Date: TBD
This session will focus on the role of the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and the Civil Rights Office. Participants will achieve an in-depth understanding of implicit bias and the manager’s role in ensuring an inclusive and respectful environment at UCLA.