UAT profiles: meet Julie Naylor

In this new series, get to know some of the people who have taken on new roles as part of the university's operating model.

Julie Naylor

• Current position: General Manager, College of Natural and Applied Sciences (CNAS)
• Time with the university: 21 years (that doesn't count my time as a student!)
• Former position: Assistant Dean, Programs & Operations, Faculty of Science

What do you like most about your current position?

The opportunity to build something new. There is so much potential for the colleges, so to be part of the team working to develop the foundation of what will be "the college" is really exciting.

How was the transition into your new position?

Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect. I really wanted to work with Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell (Dean, CNAS), but I was also unsure about leaving the faculty where I have spent my entire career—they are an amazing team. Like many others who have transitioned into new roles, I had a foot in both worlds for the first few months, but my CGM role quickly took shape and it has definitely kept me on my toes.

Has your unit experienced any successes or progress as part of the UAT initiative?

There have been a lot of wins over the past eight months. We have a blueprint for how the college offices will look going forward as a result of extensive collaboration with the faculties, central units, and the other colleges. I am particularly excited about the Office of Education and our innovation and entrepreneurship working group that has been identifying opportunities for collaboration across the college.

What aspect of UAT has been more challenging than you expected?

There are so many moving parts. Just when you think you have a piece of the puzzle figured out, something shifts and you have to adjust. I channel Brené Brown often—courage, truth, vulnerability. It isn't always comfortable, but at the end of the day, I am grateful I can contribute to the UAT vision.

When you think of the U of A of Tomorrow, what are you most looking forward to?

I'm looking forward to seeing all those moving parts come together!

College General Managers are a brand new role to the university and report to their college dean to support the consolidation of administrative services and oversee the administration and operational management of the university's new colleges. They work collegially with the function-specific senior partners and the faculty general managers to provide administrative services to the college.

If you'd like to be featured in the UAT profile series, or would like to nominate someone, please contact uat@ualberta.ca.