OPE inspires excellence through creative, meaningful opportunities for employees’ ongoing personal and professional growth. We nurture a university culture of care that supports our shared commitment to student success and each other. Guided by this purpose, OPE develops the mindsets, knowledge and skills needed to thrive and lead with confidence in an ever-changing environment.
- Opportunities for Growth
We help individuals and teams recognize their potential to make a difference, build confidence and competence, and stay motivated to optimize short and long-term success. - Partnerships
We create linkages across the organization, cultivate a vision of shared success, and implement collaborative approaches to achieve individual, team and organizational goals - Engagement
We create an environment that brings faculty and staff together to develop the curiosity, trust and sense of joy needed to thrive and build community.
Leadership development
Davenport University is committed to helping employees reach their leadership potential. We offer three development pathways to provide the training, resources, tools, and support to ensure employees develop the necessary skills and mindset to lead in a culture of quality. Leading with quality and integrity advances our vision, supports the hiring and retention of top talent, and contributes to DU's recognition as a “best place to work”.
Leadership Academy is 9-month program designed for current managers and high-potential employees, who are selected by leaders through a nomination process.
Leadership Academy Next Level provides additional programming to Academy graduates to sustain their leadership development over time.
LEAD (Lead, Engage and Develop) is 12-month program designed for employees to build leadership skills within their team and for aspiring leaders. Full-time employees who have worked at DU for at least 1 year may nominate themselves for this program with manager approval.
LEAD Self-Study is ideal for employees who want to develop and enhance specific competencies at their own pace and as needed. This program is open to all full-time and part-time employees.
Faculty and staff development
Our best-in-class programs address specific topics based on employee feedback, to provide you with learning opportunities that are relevant to achieving both personal and professional development as well as the university’s key results.
New Hire Onboarding
We made a strategic decision to focus on our core STAIR values during the onboarding process to ensure employees understand “how” we do things at DU. In addition to emphasizing the values, our Passport to Success program includes several innovative components to inform employees of DU’s mission, vision and key differentiators.
Employee Recognition & Awards
Our Employee Recognition Awards Program has been designed to formally recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of faculty and staff in support of DU’s mission, vision and values. Award recipients receive a crystal award and monetary gift during DU’s annual DavenFest event held in August. The program consists of five recognition categories:
- Milestones of Service Awards
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion Award
- Excellence in Teaching Awards
- GREAT Service Awards
- Tyrus R. Wessell Award
