New Supervisor Bootcamp

Building the Foundation for Successful Leadership at Texas A&M University

The transition from individual contributor to supervisor is one of the most important career milestones an employee can experience. New supervisors are responsible for supporting employees, leading teams, managing performance, navigating workplace challenges, and helping create a positive work environment.

To support supervisors in their new role, Texas A&M University has launched the New Supervisor Bootcamp, a learning experience designed to help new supervisors develop the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to lead with confidence and effectiveness.

The New Supervisor Bootcamp is a direct response to feedback received through the Employee Engagement Survey, where employees identified the critical role supervisors play in shaping the employee experience. This program reflects the university's commitment to investing in leaders and supporting a positive workplace culture across campus.

Who Should Attend?

The New Supervisor Bootcamp is designed for:

• Newly hired supervisors
• Employees promoted into supervisory roles
• Employees assuming supervisory responsibilities for the first time

New supervisors are strongly encouraged to attend the Bootcamp as part of their leadership onboarding experience. The program is especially valuable for employees who are new to supervising at Texas A&M University and want to build a strong foundation for success in their role.

NOTE: The New Supervisor Bootcamp is designed for employees who are newly hired or newly promoted into supervisory positions at Texas A&M University, and these participants receive priority enrollment. If seats remain available, current supervisors may have the opportunity to attend. Existing supervisors who would like to participate are welcome to join the waitlist using the instructions listed below.

Why Attend the Bootcamp?

Strong supervision contributes to employee engagement, performance, retention, and workplace culture. While many new supervisors bring valuable technical expertise to their role, the skills required to lead people often require additional development and support.

The New Supervisor Bootcamp provides a practical foundation for supervisory success and helps supervisors understand their responsibilities, available resources, and best practices for supporting employees at Texas A&M University.

The Bootcamp is designed to help supervisors understand the practical responsibilities that come with leading employees at Texas A&M. Sessions focus on the day-to-day operational and administrative aspects of supervision, including:

• Compensation and payroll
• Ethics and compliance responsibilities
• Workplace safety requirements
• Leave administration
• University policies, procedures, and resources
• Other essential supervisory responsibilities

While participants will gain valuable insights for leading others, this program is not intended to be a comprehensive leadership development course. Instead, the Bootcamp helps supervisors quickly acquire the knowledge, resources, and campus connections they need to navigate their role with confidence during their first months as a supervisor.

Program Format

The New Supervisor Bootcamp is designed as an interactive learning experience that combines practical knowledge, discussion, reflection, and application.

Participants will have opportunities to:

• Learn from experienced facilitators
• Engage in discussions with peers
• Explore real workplace scenarios
• Connect with university resources and support services

Format: In-person with remote alternative options for distance campuses

Location: General Services Complex, Room GSC2500 (computer lab)

Duration: The Bootcamp takes place over one full day (8:30 AM - 4:30 PM)

Date: Unless otherwise specified, the Bootcamp takes place on the Third Wednesday of every month

Upcoming Sessions

Frequently Asked Questions

When should new supervisors complete the Bootcamp?

New supervisors are encouraged to participate as early as possible in their supervisory journey so they can quickly gain knowledge, resources, and connections that can be applied in their role.

I have supervised employees before. Should I still attend?

Yes. Even experienced supervisors should find value in the Bootcamp because it focuses on the policies, processes, resources, and expectations specific to Texas A&M University. Participants gain insight into university practices and build connections with campus partners who support supervisors.

Is there a cost to attend?

There is no cost to university employees.

Will participants receive credit for completion?

Yes. Completion will be recorded in TrainTraq, the university's learning management system.

What if I cannot attend my scheduled session?

Please contact orgdev@tamu.edu to discuss available options.

I'm an existing supervisor that would like to participate. Can I do so?

Priority enrollment is reserved for new and newly promoted supervisors. Current supervisors are welcome to join the waitlist for sections that do not reach capacity. 

You may join the waitlist for a section by following these steps:

1. Navigate to the New Supervisor Bootcamp in TrainTraq.
2. Select the Upcoming Sections tab, then select the View button next to your desired session.
3. Select the Add to Waitlist button.
4. Important: Check the box labeled Auto Enroll if a seat becomes available for this section.
5. Select the green Finish button.

Continuing Your Leadership Development Journey

The New Supervisor Bootcamp serves as an excellent starting point for supervisors who want to build confidence and develop a strong foundation for success at Texas A&M University.

After completing the Bootcamp, supervisors are encouraged to explore additional leadership, communication, workplace effectiveness, and professional development opportunities offered through Organizational Development and other partners across the university.

Questions?

For questions about the New Supervisor Bootcamp, please contact:

Organizational Development
Division of Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness
979.845.4153
OrgDev@tamu.edu