About Professional Development at UCalgary
Grow For Tomorrow
Ahead of Tomorrow positions professional development as a key enabler of institutional excellence, cultural renewal and individual growth. It calls for investment in professional development to unlock our collective and individual potential and make it simpler and faster to bring ideas to fruition. The Professional Development Roadmap brings that vision to life. The Roadmap sets-out our near, medium and long term priorities and our commitments to career and professional development. Through it we seek a shift toward shared responsibility for learning, more consistent support for development and a workplace where growth is a core part of the career experience.
Our Approach
At UCalgary, professional development is grounded in the belief that learning is continuous, varied and embedded in everyday work. It extends beyond formal training and courses, taking place through the ongoing application and consolidation of skills and knowledge in real work experiences. Our continuous learning model reflects this philosophy by illustrating the range of learning opportunities available across careers and guiding the design and delivery of our professional development offerings.
Our Priority Initiatives
Embed evidence-based professional development
through designing programs across career stages, emphasizing on the job learning, improving clarity and access to development opportunities and supports, and fostering a culture of shared learning through mentoring, coaching, communities of practice and external partnerships.
Support mobility and diverse careers
by enabling greater mobility and flexible role and staffing options, embedding professional development into everyday practices to personalize growth from day one, and strengthening continuity through formalized talent and succession planning processes and tools.
Strengthen our professional development ecosystem
by improving the cross-connections of development opportunities, equipping leaders to reinforce a strong learning culture, and modernizing systems and data capabilities to improve access, track progress and inform decision making.
Our Ecosystem
The professional development ecosystem at UCalgary brings together curated development experiences that support the growth of employees across the university. By connecting diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise from both academic and professional communities, the ecosystem enables shared ownership of professional development. Each team contributes to designing, delivering, and promoting learning, collectively reinforcing continuous development across UCalgary.
Faculty of Graduate Studies
Supporting graduate students for academic and career success through professional development opportunities such as internships, skill development courses and campus resources.
Haskayne School of Business
Haskayne’s MBA programs provide in-person learning designed to help learners advance their career, pivot into new opportunities or strengthen their business skills.
Libraries and Cultural Resources
Access user-centric resources designed to enhance learning experiences through comprehensive library-focused teaching, learning and research support for all faculty, students, researchers and staff.
Office of Indigenous Engagement
Increase intercultural capacity through Indigenous focused courses, programs and professional development learning opportunities.
Office of Institutional Commitments
Learn more about how transdisciplinary leadership on campus can be supported through the initiatives, strategies and the collective impact of UCalgary's foundational commitments.
Office of the Vice-President (Research)
Access resources to support researchers' projects at various stages throughout the research cycle including planning, seeking funding, nominating a scholar or translating findings into tangible impact.
People and Culture
Explore development offerings including interactive workshops and cohort learning experiences that support career growth and professional skills development.
Postdoctoral Professional Development
This program supports development in six core competencies essential for success in academia, industry, government and non‑profit sectors.
Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning
Explore the integration of undergraduate inquiry, teaching development and research to enhance teaching expertise, technology use and learning.
UCalgary Continuing Education
Enrol in non‑credit courses, seminars and certificate programs that provide flexible online, in‑person, and blended options for working professionals and adult learners.
Contact & Support
Our programs are managed by a range of faculties, departments and external partners, each with their own dedicated team. Connecting directly with the right contact is the quickest way to get the help you need. For more specific support, see the resources below.