Supervising in higher education brings with it bucket filling, positive experiences but can also be the most challenging experience of one’s career. How do you navigate those challenging aspects of supervising? Have you considered how to leverage your skills and personal strengths for optimal outcomes when leading a team, supporting employees, and being at your best to help them be at theirs? After all, how you show up in the world is how you show up as a supervisor.

Whether you supervise volunteers, student staff, or professionals, success as a supervisor in higher education requires more than putting out fires daily, or creating intentional professional development for team members. Successful supervisors are able to leverage their knowledge, skills and personal strengths through a self aware approach to not only manage the challenges of the day to day, but also to develop an intentional approach to supervising and leading a team that is unique to each person’s own needs. Using an engagement-focused  lens as a supervisor also shapes the way in which we manage our own and others’ energy, navigate self-care and reduce burn out, grow our leadership style over time, coach others and maximize performance, and implement and manage change.

Are you interested in learning how to grow your knowledge, skills and strengths as a supervisor? Are you hopeful that you can combat the great resignation and increase employee engagement by creating a well being focused, productive environment for your team?

Sara Wills (she/her) is a passionate educator and proud fur- and tiny human mom. Over the course of her 13+ year career across 4 universities and 4 colleges, she has blended together her love of teaching and learning with both her professional experience in program design and assessment, as well as her post-graduate research in translating well-being science into practical strategies and tools that cultivate flourishing ecosystems. In her work as a Certified CliftonStrengths Coach and Certified Training and Development Professional, Sara leads individuals, educators, teams and organizations in maximizing their potential and achieving their desired personal, career and academic outcomes. Since becoming a parent herself, she is particularly enjoying her work helping other caregivers leverage their own unique talents to parent at their best.

Sara holds an HBA from Lakehead University and a Master of Education in Post-Secondary Studies from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Outside of her student affairs work, Sara teaches post-secondary courses in positive psychology, psychology foundations, media studies, Canadian society, family studies, and career development.

Shari Walsh (she/her) is a lifelong learner, educator, dog mom and proud Autism advocate. With 17+ years of experience with both the college and university sectors as well as Semester at Sea, Shari has a breadth of experience with people management, learning & development, strengths based approaches and curriculum design. As a Certified CliftonStrengths Coach, Certified Integrative Coach, and Certified Training and Development Professional, Shari works to create space for individuals, and teams to explore the impact of strengths-based approaches, creating and maintaining well being focused professional experiences and achieving both personal and professional goals.

Shari holds a B.A from Trent University and a M.A in Student Affairs Administration from Michigan State University.

Member Early Bird Rate - $399

Member Regular Rate - $449

Non-Member Early Bird Rate - $499

Non-Member Regular Rate - $549

Early Bird ends October 1st!

NOTE: This course has a mandatory prerequisite course. If you have not completed Clifton Strengths, please register for the Introduction to Strengths above under 'sessions'. Cost is $79. Complete the 30-minute assessment and the 30-minute video prior to your participation in the institute.

*Discounts are available if you register more than two people from your team. Reach out to contact@cacuss.ca for the coupon code.