Cynthia Joiner, Ph.D., MPHStarting in the fall, the Developing Emerging Administrative Leaders (DEAL) program will be managed by the HR Learning and Development team. This shift represents the university’s commitment to the success and development of its staff.

“Learning and Development felt like a natural fit,” said Cynthia Joiner, Ph.D., MPH, associate professor and vice chair of Research Operations and Development of the Department of Medicine. “This transition gives DEAL a central home that’s not tied to the School of Medicine, UAB Medicine, or any specific side of campus. It becomes a university-wide program that everyone can participate in.”

Rachelle Hall, executive director of Finance, looks forward to the growth of the already successful program. “This presents an opportunity to expand and further refine the structure of the program for continued impact,” she said. “We’re hopeful that this new chapter will bring even greater visibility and broaden our reach further.”

Rachelle HallInitially funded by a grant from the Health Services Foundation General Endowment Fund, the DEAL program was started in 2022 as a way to expose promising staff members to the various essential components of administrative and management positions across all areas of the university. According to Ryan Outman, executive officer for Finance and Administration, a major foundation of the program was to build a network of staff members who would continue to grow professionally at UAB.

“There was a cohort of us that had worked together for a long time, and a lot of the people that had served as our mentors had retired and moved on,” said Outman. “We quickly looked around and realized that we were now the senior leaders of the university, and we had not done everything we could to continue to develop those who would eventually succeed us.”

The program, now in its third year, covers a 10-month curriculum, where participants meet once a month. “The curriculum is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of UAB as a whole,” said Hall. “Additionally, the program serves as a platform to connect emerging leaders with prominent figures across the institution. We’ve been fortunate to have active participation from the deans of all academic schools, key clinical leaders, including the CEO of our Health System, the provost, and many other senior leaders.”

Ryan OutmanAccording to Joiner, in-person sessions were chosen to foster connections among the participants. “We encourage the cohort to get to know each other and meet outside of those four or five hours that we’re in class,” she said. “We try to create a comfortable environment where they feel safe to ask questions.”

These sessions not only provide opportunities for networking and mentorship but also the chance to hear directly from the leaders about their experiences. Leadership also makes themselves available to meet with participants outside of the regular sessions to offer more personalized guidance.

“When DEAL launched, I had just accepted a position as executive administrator of my department. I needed as much information as possible,” said Ashley Davis, MBA, administrative director of the Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology. “You get to talk with leaders and hear their stories, and you realize they started out just like you did.”

Ashley Davis, MBADEAL is a self-nomination program, an approach chosen to minimize the barriers to participation and ensure that applicants are eager to grow. “Advancement at any institution requires self-nomination,” said Outman. “We wanted individuals who saw the value in the program and were committed.”

“We wanted to reach the people we didn’t know,” added Joiner. “Self-nomination helps us find people who genuinely want to grow and be part of something here at UAB.”

For staff members even slightly interested in the program, leadership stresses the importance of applying. “I didn’t have expectations, and I still gained so much,” said Davis. “Whether you’re scared or excited, there’s something to be gained.”

“We don’t consider DEAL a leadership program, but it will make you a better leader,” said Joiner. “If someone feels like they don’t have a growth opportunity but wants to make UAB their home, DEAL can open doors and build connections.”

To learn more about the program, the current cohort, and how to apply, visit the DEAL homepage.