Upcoming Classes
This page displays current Learning & Development class and workshop offerings designed to serve the needs of UC Santa Cruz employees. We also collaborate with the campus community to advertise and support professional development and training opportunities offered by other Departments.
The upcoming classes listed below provide only abbreviated descriptions, and are arranged in chronological order. Please note that some classes may have multiple sessions, as noted in the class description. Be sure to register for each class in the series!
HOW TO REGISTER
You can register for all Learning & Development courses through UC Learning Center, UC Santa Cruz’s online learning management system for staff. Remember to use your CruzID and gold password to gain access. Be sure to disable your popup blocker (or add uc.sumtotalsystems.com to the list of allowed sites in your pop-up browser settings).
Contact our UC Learning Center team for assistance.
Shelter-in-Place & COVID-19
Due to the necessity of remote work and social distancing, classes will be offered via Zoom. Please register via the UC Learning Center. Zoom meeting links will be shared via Google Calendar to registered employees. Please ensure you are logged into your UCSC Zoom account before joining.
If you call into a Zoom training, please identify yourself or email us directly to ensure you receive credit for attending. For questions on how to attend a Zoom meeting and for technical difficulties, please visit the ITS Zoom page or open a support ticket by emailing help@ucsc.edu.
Thank you for your understanding!
For accessibility-related inquiries, or if you encounter issues with the UC Learning Center, please contact LearningCenter@ucsc.edu.
ePerformance: Completing the Manager Evaluation
Wednesday, July 28, 2021; 9am–12pm (via Zoom)
This course will focus on the end of the annual performance cycle, following completion of the Define the Criteria step in their employee’s evaluation. This course will provide a brief review of ePerformance navigation, including how to nominate participants, complete self-evaluations and complete manager evaluations. The main focus of this training is to review the performance rating system and provide guidance on how to write a concise, but comprehensive, narrative to support performance ratings.
Instructor: Employee & Labor Relations Staff
Intro to Google: Gmail, Calendar, Forms and Hangouts
Thursday, July 8, 2021; 10am–12pm (via Zoom)
Tuesday, September 28, 2021; 10am–12pm (via Zoom)This workshop is designed to help new Google users come up to speed on the featured “Google Workspace” applications. Topics covered in this course include how to log into a Google account, navigate its interface, and use its component apps to complete common productivity tasks. Specific applications we will cover in Part 1 are Google Mail, Calendar, Forms and Hangouts.
Instructor: Learning & Development Staff
Manager Roundtable: Embracing Telework
Thursday, July 22, 2021: 10am-11am (via Zoom)
A facilitated conversation to explore approaches, successes and potential challenges of ongoing telework in conjunction with the upcoming changes of returning to the office and the hybrid team model. Join us at the virtual table to share, listen and support each other.
Instructor: Learning & Development Staff
Time Management
Friday, July 9, 2021; 10am–11:30am (via Zoom)
Wednesday, August 25, 2021; 2pm–4:00pm (via Zoom)This overview of time management discusses some of the tools and techniques for finding balance in your work life. Class is designed around an extended period of collaboration with your peers, to discuss the challenges of remote work, individual systems and tools, and remaining motivated and healthy. Class agenda includes:
- The effect of time management on our work lives
- Common barriers to managing our time
- Communicating and planning for success
- Networking window
- The importance of self-care
Instructor: Learning & Development Staff
ABCs of Supervising Others: Part A
Tuesday, July 13, 2021; 10am–12pm (via Zoom)
Making the Transition from Individual Contributor to Supervisor
Target Audience: New supervisors limited or no experience and individuals who aspire to a supervisory role. This is part one of a four-part series.
Level: Introductory
Key Topics Covered:
- Making the Transition
- Responsibilities of a Supervisor
- Key Behaviors and Attitudes
- Understanding University Staff Work Populations
Instructor: Learning & Development Staff
Reintegration of Workforce - Managing Fear and Anxiety Around COVID-19
Thursday, July 15, 2021; 10:00am–11:00am (via Zoom)
Fears and anxieties are made up of thoughts that are based upon either personal experiences or beliefs of the world today. Pretending that these thoughts and fears do not exist, or are not that bad, can make them worse. In this class, we will learn how to talk through our thoughts to realize that our fears and anxieties are manageable and controllable to get you through these challenging times.
Wednesday, July 28, 2021; 2pm–3pm (via Zoom)
Participants will:
- Discuss fears and anxiety during a pandemic
- Review childhood and adult fears
- Learn about the power of thought
- Discuss mindfulness and acceptance
- Learn breathing exercises and soothing techniques
Instructor: Optum Training Staff
Professional Writing Skills
Friday, July 16, 2021; 9:30am–11am (via Zoom)
This workshop will focus on how to write "clearly, concisely, correctly, and courteously." We will also discuss how we use writing in our personal and professional lives, with particular attention to audience and context. The workshop aims to establish email writing best practices and to provide the opportunity for hands-on editing.
Instructor: Learning & Development Staff
ABCs of Supervising Others: Part B
Tuesday, July 20, 2021; 10am–12pm (via Zoom)
Setting the Stage for Success as a SupervisorTarget Audience: New supervisors with limited or no experience and individuals who aspire to a supervisory role. This is part two of a four-part series.
Level: Introductory
Key Topics Covered:
- Goal Setting
- Organizing for Success
- Time Management Tips
- Active Listening Techniques
Instructor: Learning & Development Staff
Psychological Safety: Creating an Environment for High Performing Teams
Friday, July 23, 2021; 10am–12pm (via Zoom)
Wednesday, September 8, 2021; 10am–12pm (via Zoom)This course helps managers and supervisors understand the critical nature of psychologically safe work environments, and how they can affect the quality of team input and outcomes. Includes a fundamental understanding of concepts related to Psychological Safety, and tips and tools for creating a safe workspace.
At the end of this course you will be able to:
- Define Psychological Safety
- Understand the Four Stages of Psychological Safety
- Recognize the primary components and effects of safe environments
- Be introduced to tools to reframe our thinking and check our practices
- Reflect on the relationship between safety and innovation
Instructor: Learning & Development Staff
ABCs of Supervising Others: Part C
Tuesday, July 27, 2021; 10am–12pm (via Zoom)
Communicating for Success as A Supervisor
Target Audience: New supervisors with limited or no experience and individuals who aspire to a supervisory role. This is part three of a four-part series.
Level: Introductory
Key Topics Covered:
- Communication skills
- Giving Instructions
- Orders, Requests, and Suggestions
- Intro to Feedback Cycle
Instructor: Learning & Development Staff
Best Practices for Remote & Hybrid Team Members: Negotiating Your Best Work Life
Thursday, July 29, 2021: 10am-12pm (via Zoom)
Over the past year many of us, or our team members have adapted to working from home, others have stayed on campus. Now we face another changing set of work rules, as many of us return to work in new ways. This course examines the outcomes of our efforts, the challenges of continuing to work in uncertain and changing environments and how to support your team as our work life continues to evolve.
Friday, August 27, 2021: 10am-12pm (via Zoom)
Discussion topics include:
- How organizations have adapted to the new workforce
- Working in a V.U.C.A. environment-How volatility, uncertainty, complexity & ambiguity can generate benefits for us, and our organization
- Approaching the next step through E.C.H.O-Evolving, committing, forming effecting habits and taking opportunities
ABCs of Supervising Others: Part D
Tuesday, August 3, 2021; 10am–12pm (via Zoom)
Communication Challenges
Target Audience: New supervisors with limited or no experience and individuals who aspire to a supervisory role. This is part three of a four-part series.
Level: Introductory
Key Topics Covered:
- Giving and Receiving Feedback
- Managing Conflict
- Managing Challenging Situations
- Developing Relationships
- Establishing Credibility
Courageous Conversations
Wednesday, August 4, 2021; 9:30am–12pm (via Zoom)
Wednesday, September 15, 2021; 9:30am–12pm (via Zoom)How can you reframe high stakes communication from competition to collaboration? What is the path forward to creating shared pools of meaning, and common goals? This class will address these questions, and provide tools to help you create better interactions.
At the end of this training, you will have explored:
- Identifying crucial conversations
- Recognizing three primary types of critical conversation
- Changing “Battle Messages” to “Learning Conversations”
- Listening with you Heart, Brain and Gut
- Finding shared meaning
- Establishing the “third side” of a situation
- Tools to help find success in difficult communication
Instructor: Learning & Development Staff
Preparing You and Your Family to Return to School
Thursday, August 5, 2021; 10am–11am (via Zoom)
Even with schools re-opening – whenever that occurs – things will not be the same. School regulations and schedules will probably be different; hygiene requirements and physical activity practices will almost certainly be stricter than they have been in the past. It is normal for both parents and children to be anxious about the prospect of returning to school but there are strategies that can be employed to mitigate at least some of the stress. This program will teach parents how to communicate with children to face the uncertainty, prepare for the future, and minimize the potential fear factor.
Tuesday, August 17, 2021; 3pm--4pm (via Zoom)
Participants will:
- Learn about staying flexible to help families deal with change
- Discuss how to be prepared to help children deal with the new realities of their day
- Review how to communicate regularly with both their children(s)' school and employer to ensure clear expectations
- Understand that managing anxiety is to be expected as part of our daily routine
Instructor: Optum Training Staff
Managing Remote & Hybrid Teams for Managers
Tuesday, August 10, 2021; 10am–12pm (via Zoom
During this Pandemic we in higher education are experiencing increased pressures to change the way we interface with our teams, some of who may be remote, and some who are co-located. These distributed teams pose unique challenges, and this session will provide:
- An overview of the trend towards distributed workforces, including the advantages and challenges of the model
- A review of the changing work model and best practices for building parity and productivity across your team
- Practices to establish a consistent team culture in a time of change
- Opportunities to ensure engagement and safety for those whom you supervise
This training is geared towards professionals who supervise or manage full time staff. If you are a manager of students on campus, please see the related offering: Best Practices for Managers of Student Workers in the Evolving Workplace.
Instructor: Learning & Development Staff
Wellness and Work
Wednesday, August 11, 2021; 2pm–3:30pm (via Zoom)
This offering examines the primary causes of stress, and the benefits of wellness for the individual and the organization. Reflect privately on your own stress factors, and become familiar with the tools you can use to remain healthy.
- The three primary types of stress we encounter and how it affects us
- The benefits of wellness and compassion
- Determining what stress we can control and/or minimize
- The six pillars of wellness
- Cognitive reframing
Customer Service Lattice
Tuesday, August 31, 2021; 9:30am–12pm (via Zoom)
In higher education, our outcomes are often the result of people across departments coming together in mutual support. This training examines the customer service function in the university environment and practices the communication skills that will help us to navigate it successfully.
- What is a service attitude and why is it important?
- Customer service in higher education populations
- Subtext and language: Coming to a full understanding
- Communicating for service success
- Customer service metrics
- Self-care
Instructor : Learning & Development Staff
Getting Into a New Routine
Tuesday, September 7, 2021; 11am–12pm (via Zoom)
Establishing a new routine is a healthy way to move you and your family forward. Discussed will be the value of creativity, the importance of technology and specific suggestions on helping your children with their new routine. Emphasis is placed on staying healthy.
Participants will
- Challenge negative thinking
- Discuss the best ways to stay healthy in our new normal
- Learn to work with their children to adjust sleep times
- Using technology to embrace the new routine
- Encouraging participants to be creative in their problem solving
- Explore "Student-Driven Interests"
Managing Hybrid Student Teams
Thursday, September 16, 2021; 10am–12pm (via Zoom)
During this Pandemic we in higher education are experiencing increased pressures to change the way we interface with our teams, some of who may be remote, and some who are co-located. These distributed teams pose unique challenges, and this session will provide:
- An overview of the trend towards distributed workforces, including the advantages and challenges of the model
- A review of the changing work model and best practices for building parity and productivity across your team
- Practices to establish a consistent team culture in a time of change
- Opportunities to ensure engagement and safety for those whom you supervise
Instructor: Learning & Development Staff
Intro to Google: Drive, Docs, Sheets and Slides
Tuesday, October 5, 2021; 10am–12pm (via Zoom)
This workshop is designed to help new Google users come up to speed on the featured “Google Workspace” applications.
Topics covered in this course include how to log into a Google account, navigate its interface, and use its component apps to complete common productivity tasks. Specific applications we will cover in Part 2 are Google Drive, Docs, Sheets and Slides.
Instructor: Learning & Development Staff
