Born in Birmingham, Alabama, just nine years after the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, Imani Perry was raised with a strong drive for justice. Today, she is a MacArthur “Genius Grant” Fellow and a distinguished professor at Harvard University, where her work explores the intersections of history, law, and culture. Join us for an insightful discussion with a leading scholar in African American Studies.
Presented by the UVA Division for Community Engagement and Equal Opportunity. |
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| Rest is part of professional development. |
Professional development is often associated with action—learning new skills, sharing knowledge with others, and applying insights at work. But sustainable growth also requires space to rest and recharge. Without it, even meaningful development efforts can lose their impact.
Rest actually strengthens the learning process by giving our brains time to absorb new information, make connections, and retain what we’ve learned. It also supports sharing and applying knowledge by helping us show up more present, reflective, and intentional in how we use what we’ve learned with others.
When rest is built into professional development, growth becomes more sustainable. Development isn’t about constant momentum—it’s about building capacity over time. Making space to recharge ensures that learning, sharing, and applying truly translate into everyday impact.
So, take the time to rest and recharge during your time away from work!
As you start thinking about and planning for next year, the following is information about a variety of workshops, courses, and resources to support your ongoing growth—wherever your journey leads. While some opportunities are free and others may have a fee, many do not require travel. Please feel free to share other opportunities you come across and I’ll include them in future communications!
Remember that
we have access to Coursera,
and an online learning platform that offers a wide range of courses,
specializations, certifications, and degree programs from universities and
institutions around the world. UVA has a university-wide subscription for
Coursera. Check it out and start learning!
Listed below are links to offerings that may be of
interest – as we have done for the past couple of months, we’ll again focus on
opportunities for which you can use your centrally-funded education benefit and
are offered virtually, or in a few cases, locally, so there are no travel
costs! (Remember, if you are requesting departmental funds, make sure it you
have approval before you register for or enroll in any offering.)
*NEW* University of South Florida is offering a
free (through February 2026) on how to craft good AI prompts: AI
Whisperer: A Microcourse in Crafting Prompts. This course will not be
available after 2/28/26 (the enrollment page says.)
What is EDUCAUSE? From their website: “EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association whose mission is to lead the way, advancing the strategic use of technology and data to further the promise of higher education. We connect and empower our member community through insights, advocacy, resources, and learning opportunities to anticipate trends and strengthen professional practice.”
·
NACUBO Award
nominations open (deadline for accounting award is 2/20/26)
·
Washington
Updates and Other Recordings
o The
most recent Washington Update recording was posted on 12/12/25
·
Other
Live Online Events - unless indicated, the session is
free to NACUBO members, which we are, although you need an individual account.*
Some also offer CPE credits.
·
Conferences and Forums
o
NACUBO
2026 Annual Meeting – July 18-21, 2026 in Anaheim, CA
o
2026
Intermediate Accounting and Reporting – Jan 28-30, 2026 online ($300)
·
Self-Paced
Courses and Microlearning
o
Strategic Higher Education Finance and Planning ($595)
o
F&A Short Form ($150)
o
Essentials of College and University Accounting
($125)
o
Facilities Management ($49)
o
New to Higher Education ($49)
·
Podcasts
o
Career Conversations
o
NACUBO in Brief
*Individual NACUBO membership is free through UVA’s
institutional membership. To join go to nacubo.org and click on “Login or
Join." From the Login box, click on “Don’t have an account” and fill out the
form. In the “Primary Affiliate” field enter “University of Virginia” and
select the appropriate affiliate.
·
2026
Leadership Forum – February 25-27, Destin, FL – $500; online registration
ends 2/16/26
·
2026
Annual Convention – April 19-21, Dallas, TX - $895; early bird registration
ends 2/23/26
·
2026 Fall Conference – November 11-13, Myrtle Beach, SC (Save the date; more info
coming soon!)
·
Save the Date! – EACUBO Leadership Forum – March 23-24,
Newport, RI
·
Higher
Education Leadership Program – August 10-13, 2026, at Cornell University in
Ithaca, NY ($2,999)
·
Professional
Development Programs, including:
o
Leadership
Transformation Collaborative - starts January 2026
o
Women
Leading Change Program - 2026 dates coming soon
o
Administrative
Leadership Institute – 2026 dates coming soon
o
Higher
Education Mental Health Forum – 2026 dates coming soon
·
Virtual Events (many are
on-demand)
AGA - is the association
that connects and empowers professionals who support government, from financial
management to IT, human resources, cybersecurity and more, to advance good
government initiatives, grow their expertise and accelerate their careers.
(Requires membership.)
LearnBFSI (several interesting for
fee courses - $199 each for live webinar and $159 for recording – note this
company is in Australia) including: ChatGPT
for CPAs and Finance Professionals as well as courses in Excel and ChatGPT
for PowerPoint.
·
UVA
Organizational Excellence has many learning opportunities, resources, and
articles. Subscribe to OE’s
newsletter.
o
Skillful
Change and Transitions
§
January 29, 2026, 12:00-1:45 (in person: Holloway
Hall-Room 116, Bavaro Hall)
o
Strategic
Doing for Collaborative Change: Accelerating Department-Level Innovation at UVA
§
March 19, 2026, 1:00-2:15 (in person; Newcomb
Hall, South Meeting Room)
·
UVA Miller Center
always has interesting programs.
·
UVA Human Resources offers many free programs and courses.
·
Learning
Tracks | UVA HR – HR has created two new leadership tracks: on for Aspiring
Managers and one for New Managers. This is about a year-long commitment and
requires completion of an online form. (A track for Experience Managers is in
development.)
·
LinkedIn
Learning - Human Resources also has links to microlearning courses and to
LinkedIn Learning. (Participating in these courses does not require submitting
a Professional Development Request Form.)
·
UVA Darden Executive
Education – The Collaboration and Influence
program is $1,700
o
Use the discount code UVA50, which provides a
50% discount for the cost of the program. (The prices listed are for the full
cost.)
o
See the Darden
Executive Education program schedule for upcoming
dates.
·
UVA’s
School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) offers many
Certificate programs.
Other
Institutions
·
Harvard
Business School Online offers multi-course credentials and certificate
programs – many are less than $2000.
·
University of Pennsylvania
Wharton School of Business online programs; many are $1,000 or less.
·
Stanford
University Executive Education – the self-paced programs are $1,500.
 |
| Workday Strategic Sourcing Liftoff! |
As part of UVA’s Procurement Transformation, Procurement Services is excited to announce the Workday Strategic Sourcing Pilot Program, designed to streamline the way UVA onboards suppliers and initiates procurement events, such as Requests for Proposal (RFPs) and Sole Sources.
Vendor Enablement
This new approach to supplier onboarding aims to establish clearer pathways to the right supplier and enhance supplier partnerships that align with long-term objectives. The piloted process tests an updated supplier registration path, with the goal of shortened onboarding times and improved transparency.
Guided Buying
A new sourcing intake process for Sole Source and high-value procurement events (>$200,000). Guided Buying collects critical data up front, helping you navigate policy requirements in an effort to reduce delays and rework during the sourcing process.
The Workday Strategic Sourcing Pilot represents a key milestone in the Procurement Transformation Initiative. If everything proceeds as planned, we are targeting mid-spring for a full roll-out.
Next Steps: We will continue to share updates and learning opportunities as the pilot evolves. We appreciate the partnership of our pilot participants and the continued engagement of the UVA purchasing community in shaping a stronger, more efficient procurement ecosystem.
__________________________________________________
For more about the Procurement Transformation Project, visit our website.
 |
| Avoid Overpayments! |
When an employee leaves UVA, it’s essential to enter their termination in Workday right away. Late terminations can result in accidental overpayments that must be recouped centrally.
Cleaning up those overpayments takes significant time and resources across multiple teams and can even lead to audit findings. Prompt terminations help ensure accurate pay, reduce administrative burden, and keep our processes running smoothly.
Thank you for helping us safeguard institutional resources by promptly entering terminations.
 |
| Happy Holidays! |
The schedule is available behind NetBadge at the link below.
https://uvafinance.virginia.edu/resources/ap-holiday-settlement-schedule-20252026
 |
| 2024-2025 Annual Financial Report |
The University of Virginia’s Annual Financial Report presents an independently audited view of the University’s finances and operations for the year. The report reflects UVA’s ongoing commitment to transparency and responsible financial stewardship.
Readers seeking a high-level overview may want to start with the Letter from EVP-COO J.J. Davis or Management’s Discussion and Analysis, which provide key financial trends and context.
 |
| Learning how to be finance superheroes! |
This December, we were grateful to welcome back a familiar face at UVA: Melody Bianchetto, CPA, MBA, former Vice President for Finance, who led an engaging session on how finance skills can strengthen our local nonprofit community.
Hosted by Academic Outreach and UVAFinance, "So You Want to Be a Treasurer" introduced participants to what financial leadership looks like in the nonprofit world, from budgeting and reporting to stewardship, oversight, and compliance. Melody shared practical guidance drawn from 35 years of experience, helping attendees understand how finance committees support long-term sustainability and smooth leadership transitions.
After the session, participants were invited to explore opportunities to serve on nonprofit boards through the Center for Nonprofit Excellence's Virginia BoardBuild platform, connecting their financial expertise with organizations that need it.
It was a wonderful reminder that the skills we use every day at UVA can make a meaningful difference across our community.
This fall, Senior Director of Payroll Services Paul Grisdale was a co-lead in three sessions at the Educational Institutions Payroll Conference. He shared his expertise in fraud prevention, deferred compensation (SECURE 2.0 Act), and special pay issues. Thanks for sharing your expertise and experience, Paul!
UVAFinance at Fall 2025 Virtual FOCUS Conference
UVAFinance colleagues helped lead important conversations at this year’s Fall FOCUS Conference, contributing their expertise to support stronger financial practices across Virginia’s higher-education community.
Kudos to JJ, Danae, and Paul for representing UVAFinance and supporting financial excellence statewide.
|
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| Don't forget to check your home address in Workday! |
As we head toward the end of the calendar year, it’s a great time to double-check how you receive your W-2. If you opt out of the paper version, you’ll be able to access your electronic W-2 in Workday much sooner than a printed copy will arrive by mail.
Signing up for electronic delivery is quick:
While you’re thinking about tax documents, this is also a good moment to review your home address in Workday and make sure it’s up to date.
A few minutes now can save time (and mail delays) later!
We’re pleased to share that UVA’s historical Oracle data has officially moved to its new home: Solix. The transition, completed in late October, was smooth and successful thanks to the collaboration of our partners across ITS, OSP, UVAHR, and UVAFinance.
Solix went live in October
This secure and structured archive marks another milestone in improving how we protect and manage University data. As shared earlier, only a small group of central users will retain direct access to Solix, but if you need historical financial information that once lived in Oracle, we’re here to help.
For more information, visit https://in.virginia.edu/sda
 |
| Every day development? It's possible! |
Professional development doesn’t have to be a separate event on your calendar. Some of the most meaningful growth happens in small moments: the choices we make, the habits we build, and the ways we approach our everyday work.
Building development into daily routines starts with awareness. When you learn something new in a workshop, from a colleague, or simply through experience, look for a way to apply it right away. It might be trying out a different approach in a meeting, using a new tool or technique on a task, organizing your work in a different way, or using a new communication technique with a teammate. These small, practical steps make learning feel natural and help it stick.
Sharing your learning with others also strengthens the culture around you. Sharing quick tips or new ideas you’ve learned, or even presenting at a UVAFinance Lunch and Learn, can turn individual growth into shared progress. When development becomes part of everyday experience, it becomes easier for everyone to learn from one another.
Finally, weave development into the work you’re already doing. Align new skills with your goals, and look at challenges as opportunities to grow even further. When learning is connected to real work, it feels purposeful, not extra.
Building development into everyday work doesn’t require more time; it requires intention. By making small, thoughtful adjustments throughout your day, you create steady, meaningful growth for yourself and those around you.
We’re pleased to share information about a variety of workshops, courses, and resources to support your ongoing growth—wherever your journey leads. While some opportunities are free and others may have a fee, many do not require travel. Please feel free to share other opportunities you come across and I’ll include them in future communications!
· Learning
Tracks | UVA HR – HR has created two new leadership tracks: on for Aspiring
Managers and one for New Managers. This is about a year-long commitment and
requires completion of an online form. (A track for Experience Managers is in
development.)
·
LinkedIn
Learning - Human Resources also has links to microlearning courses and to
LinkedIn Learning. (Participating in these courses does not require submitting
a Professional Development Request Form.)
· UVA Darden Executive Education – The Collaboration and Influence program is $1,700
·
UVA’s
School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) offers many
Certificate programs.
Other
Institutions
·
Harvard
Business School Online offers multi-course credentials and certificate
programs – many are less than $2000.
·
University of Pennsylvania
Wharton School of Business online programs; many are $1,000 or less.
·
Stanford
University Executive Education – the self-paced programs are $1,500.
 |
| There's a nonprofit that would just love you! |
Local nonprofits thrive when their boards include members who understand finances, from budgeting and reporting to strategic resource management. Whether you’re a finance professional, a budget manager, or simply the person who keeps your household books in order, your skills can make a real difference.
Academic Outreach and UVAFinance invite you to join So You Want to Be a Treasurer, an engaging 2½-hour training designed to help you confidently step into a finance role with a nonprofit organization. Led by Melody Bianchetto, who retired from UVA in 2023 after 35 years in financial management, this session explores what effective financial leadership looks like in the nonprofit world, including planning and reporting, as well as stewardship, oversight, and compliance.
You’ll learn how finance committees strengthen long-term sustainability, how to manage budgets and audits, and how to prepare for smooth leadership transitions. After the session, participants can connect with local nonprofits through the Center for Nonprofit Excellence’s BoardBuild platform, matching their financial expertise with community needs.
Register for only one session. Seats are limited (40 per format), so sign up soon! If your plans change, please drop your enrollment so someone else can attend.
