Leadership and Management
Join us for an exclusive pilot program to discover your authentic leadership style and boost your public speaking skills to inspire others and make an impact in your academic and professional life.
The Graduate Student Resource Center is excited to announce an exclusive Leadership Certificate pilot program for graduate students and scholars designed and facilitated by Sara Gupta, a first-generation UCSB alumna (Class of 2002).
This exclusive pilot program is designed to help graduate students develop authentic and inclusive leadership skills while enhancing their public speaking abilities, empowering them to inspire and drive meaningful impact in academia and beyond.The program consists of three interactive sessions, each building on the last, and will accept up to 25 participants.
Attendance at all three sessions is required, and participants who complete the program will be eligible for a Leadership Certificate upon submission of a brief commentary demonstrating comprehension and self-awareness.
Workshop Structure and Session Descriptions
Session 1: Laying the Foundation – Discovering Your Authentic Leadership Style
January 14, 10am-11:30am, online
Leadership begins with self-awareness and authenticity. This session introduces the fundamentals of leadership, emphasizing that everyone has the capacity to lead. Participants will explore how trust plays a central role in effective communication and leadership. Graduate students will identify their unique leadership style and learn to inspire confidence and collaboration in their personal and professional lives.
Session 2: The Trust Ladder Framework – Building Trust and Communicating with Impact
February 4, 10am-11:30am, online
Trust is the cornerstone of inclusive and impactful leadership. This session dives into the "Trust Ladder Framework," a practical tool for fostering trust and creating long-term behavior shifts in leadership. Participants will explore the role of trust in building inclusive teams, managing relationships, and driving collaboration. This session empowers students to identify key focus areas for their own leadership growth.
Session 3: Putting It All Together – Building a Commitment to Inclusive Leadership
February 18, 10am-11:30am, online
In this culminating session, participants will reflect on their growth, share key takeaways, and discuss continued challenges. A select number of participants will present their progress, reinforcing their leadership and public speaking skills. This session emphasizes building a lasting commitment to inclusive leadership and constructing an actionable long-term plan with accountability. Graduate students will leave equipped to inspire, influence, and lead with confidence.
About the Workshop Series
The Leadership Workshop Series is designed and facilitated by Sara Gupta, a first-generation UCSB alumna (Class of 2002) with a degree in Biochemistry. Sara is the Founder and Principal Coach of StartWise, a coaching and advisory company dedicated to helping individuals, teams, and organizations realize their full potential. With over 20 years of executive experience in building and managing high-performing teams across diverse industries, Sara brings a wealth of expertise to her coaching practice. She is an active member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and holds ACC accreditation. Passionate about empowering leaders, Sara is excited to equip UCSB Graduate Students with the skills and confidence needed to lead with clarity and vision.
Sign up for workshops
To view the dates, times, and location of the workshops, please visit the GSRC Group in Shoreline.
Please contact Anna Theogarajan if you have any questions.