Program Overview

The Aspiring Managers Program in the School of Medicine is a 5-month cohort-based experience designed for administrative staff who desire to grow into future management roles. This program provides the knowledge, tools, and practice needed to make the transition from individual contributor to effective manager in the future.

Through interactive workshops, mentoring, and peer learning, participants will strengthen their skills in communication, strategic thinking, decision-making, and leadership through curriculum workshops. In addition, each participant will complete a capstone project in their current role, applying what they’ve learned to a real-world challenge while gaining visibility and feedback from peers and leaders.

By the end of the program, graduates will leave with:

• A stronger understanding of the mindset and responsibilities of managers

• Practical strategies for leading and influencing others

• A completed project that demonstrates their management potential

• A network of peers and mentors to support their ongoing career growth

Curriculum Sessions

The Aspiring Managers Program curriculum blends interactive workshops, peer learning, and mentoring to help participants build core management skills. Over the course of five months, participants will take part in required sessions covering topics including:

• The Shift to Management - understanding the mindset and responsibilities of a manager.
  

• Communication & Interpersonal Skills - learning to adapt communication styles and strengthen emotional intelligence.
  

• Strategic Thinking & Decision Making - practicing problem-solving through real case studies.
  

• Leadership & Influencing Others - exploring leadership styles and techniques for leading without formal authority.

In addition to the required sessions, participants can choose electives on topics such as conflict management, people management, or mentoring. 

Session Format

The program will be a hybrid format (a mix of in-person and Zoom sessions).
 

Capstone Project

The capstone project is a central feature of the program, giving participants the opportunity to put their new skills into practice. Each participant will design and complete a project within their current role that demonstrates their ability to think and act like a manager.

Projects might include:

• Leading a small-scale process improvement effort

• Developing a new resource or training tool for their team

• Serving as a project lead on a cross-functional initiative

At the end of the program, participants will present their projects to their cohort, sharing the goals, challenges, outcomes, and lessons learned. This experience not only reinforces their learning but also provides a tangible example of their management potential to highlight in future opportunities.

Eligibility

The program is open to administrative staff in the School of Medicine who are currently individual contributors with no direct reports and no managerial responsibilities and aspire to become managers in the future.