PSEA is pleased to offer a new program specifically designed for people leaders who manage faculty. This program has been developed in extensive consultation with experienced academic leaders and human resources experts from the sector and was piloted in August 2024 to 22 participants from the sector.
This program will give priority to academic leaders with fewer than two years of experience in an excluded academic leadership role (Typically Dean/Associate Dean/Director level) and/or who are new to working in BC.
During the program, participant work with leaders from across the sector to navigate the challenges of what they are expected to know and be able to do. The program supports leaders in managing the shift from peer to leader and from union member to excluded employee. The intensive program begins with a half-day virtual session in June 2025, followed by a four-day in-person component in August 2025 and a second half-day virtual session in October 2025. This cohort-based program requires full participation in all components.
Through interactive sessions, with the support of expert facilitators from academic, legal, and labour relations fields, this program enables participants to:
Format: In-person and Zoom
Dates:
Location: PSEA Office, 3rd floor 2889 East 12th Ave., Vancouver
Time: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm daily
Cost:
Facilitator(s): Katie Cobban, PSEA Legal Counsel; Tom Teasdale, PSEA Director of Labour Relations; senior Dean from the sector; experts from the sector participate in panels throughout the workshop.
If you require assistance with hotel rates or recommendations, please email learning@psea.bc.ca
To RegisterA pilot program participant shared:
“These are challenging times for the post-secondary sector. When I got back to work, I was faced
with leading some major change initiatives. The program prepared me by providing a thorough
overview of the collective agreement, labour relations practices, and the key communication and
change management skills required to provide strong, sound leadership. Key takeaways included the
importance of building and maintaining relationships, preparing for difficult conversations, and
the value of knowing you are part of a larger community.”
Twyla is PSEA’s Executive Director of Training. She is currently responsible for creating and implementing learning and development opportunities services for our members. Twyla has over 25 years of leadership, labour relations and consulting experience in the public and private sectors. She has extensive experience in preparing bargaining strategies and acting as a spokesperson for the employer. Twyla holds a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences, a Bachelor of Education, and a Master of Business Administration.
Michael is PSEA’s Executive Director, Strategic Negotiation Services and has been with PSEA for more than five years. In this role, Michael is responsible for creating and implementing the collective bargaining strategy and plan for all of PSEA’s member institutions. Michael has extensive experience at the bargaining table, and with all aspects of Labour Relations, he has provided consulting services to various public and private sector clients. Michael holds a CPHR designation and a Bachelor of Commerce in Transportation from the University of British Columbia.
