A community of practice (CoP) is a group of people who aim to learn from each other by sharing experiences and expertise on a particular topic. Through regular meetings, online discussions, and sharing of resources, the community can organically build collective knowledge and skills that they can then share with the rest of their team. These communities provide a professional development opportunity that is easy to access and personally relevant for all who participate.
The Strategic Initiatives team has helped launch and sustain a few CoPs at the University of Washington.
Continuous Improvement in Administration CoPs
The communities listed below are connected to topics that have emerged through the Transforming Administration Program (TAP) survey as institution-wide areas of interest.
- The Customer Experience Community of Practice is a community for administrative staff at all levels to explore how we can better understand and improve our customers’ experiences of requesting and receiving our services. Visit the community’s wiki page to learn more.
Facilitators: Shane McCartney (UW-IT), Jennifer Connors (UW Facilities), & Shea Jacobson (UW-IT) - The Shared Services Network is a community of current leaders and professionals supporting shared services at the UW. The group meets to share experiences and expertise with colleagues about how to build and maintain a shared service model.
Facilitators: Shelley Prosise (School of Medicine), Heidi Tilghman (College of Arts and Sciences), & Kelly Johnson (Health Sciences) - The Shared Services Learning Group is a community of individuals interested in learning more about what is required to create and support shared services at the UW. Participants vary in levels of knowledge and experience with shared services but share a desire to learn more and share their own relevant expertise.
Facilitators: Shelley Prosise, Heidi Tilghman, & Kelly Johnson
Teaching and Learning CoPs
As part of the UW’s Teaching and Learning in the 21st Century initiative, Strategic Planning helped establish and support the Evidence-Based Teaching Program (EBT). Led by faculty in partnership with the Center for Teaching and Learning, the program combines online and in-person discussion to empower instructors to implement research-backed strategies that improve both student and teacher outcomes. Learn more at the EBT website.