Mentoring for Operational Success - Finance & Administration

Empowering F&A Staff Through Leadership Development

Mentoring for Operational Success (MOS) is a 10-day leadership training program designed for Finance and Administration (F&A) staff members. Launched in 2022 by Adam Fouche, Executive Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Insurance and Claims Management, MOS curriculum is inspired by the leadership model taught at the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership at West Point. Participants are nominated by F&A unit leadership.

Program Overview
The MOS program is divided into three modules that focus on leading individuals, leading groups, and leading organizations. MOS participants will learn the program content in a group setting from UGA peer instructors with other F&A staff members through facilitated discussions, personal reflection, a review of case studies, and learning from one another’s perspectives and experiences.

The goals of the program are:

Further the understanding and application of modern behavioral science and leadership theories
Improve how participants organize knowledge and experiences to analyze leadership challenges and implement leader actions more effectively
Integrate the course content into daily leadership practices to better support the mission of F&A
Inspire a lifelong commitment to the study and practice of effective leadership to achieve personal leadership potential

View of the front entrance of Sanford Hall with crowds of students walking on the sidewalk.

Coaching Sessions
At the conclusion of the 10-day MOS cohort program, participants will participate in group coaching sessions where coaches will help them integrate the material into their daily leadership journey. Coaching will consist of group coaching sessions meeting for two hours once per month over a 10-month period. The purpose of professional coaching is to work together to improve performance as an individual, as a team, and as an organization.

Overhead group of the Class of 2028 formed in the PowerG on Dooley Field in Sanford Stadium during the 2024 Freshman Welcome.

Introduction to Mentoring for Operational Success (I-MOS)
I-MOS is an 8-hour session for UGA F&A personnel that provides an overview and introduction to the larger F&A MOS course. I-MOS is not a replacement for the MOS cohort; however, it provides an opportunity to train more leaders in key concepts of MOS, including foundational leadership principles and the Leader Thought Process. It is expected that I-MOS participants will also attend the full 10-day MOS cohort after completing the I-MOS session.

Students walking under fall foliage on UGA's north campus

MOS Community of Practice (Alumni Group)
All MOS participants, individuals currently participating in the coaching program, and MOS cohort graduates, are provided the voluntary opportunity to participate in a MOS community of practitioners. This group meets every other month to build on the training and team coaching they received through MOS by reinvesting in each other as alumni and practitioners. This group, bound by a common understanding of MOS principles, exists to support and encourage fellow alumni as they seek to apply MOS principles in real-life situations. Meetings consist of facilitated, open discussions, occasional guest speakers, and a review of lessons learned from the implementation of MOS strategies.

In the News

04.30.2025

Campus Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Arboretum Designation

The University of Georgia celebrated the 25th anniversary of its campus arboretum designation on Friday, honoring over two decades of intentional landscape stewardship and the continued growth of one of the university’s most beloved natural assets.

Capstones Spark New Ideas for F&A/UHR Data Strategy

On March 13, the first group of staff members from Finance and Administration (F&A) and University Human Resources (UHR) graduated from the Data Analytics for Decision Making certificate program. As part of the graduation ceremony, participants presented team capstone projects that explored new ways to visualize and analyze data across key areas, including facilities, finance, human resources, student space use, and safety.

A Tradition of Giving: Community Holiday Outreach Grows in Impact

In December, Finance and Administration and University Human Resources wrapped up the fourth annual Community Holiday Outreach Initiative. The event raised funds and physical donations for families and seniors in Athens-Clarke County for a total value of $16,133, the highest total in the event’s history.