While there are many questions about the future, one fact is certain: things will be different. And different times mean people may need different skills.

The Professional Development Opportunity program was initiated by Senior Vice President Robert J. Wagner in September 1995 to address that need.

Designed to introduce University Services staff to the processes of leading and managing at the senior level in a research university, the year-long program also gives participants an opportunity to gain new knowledge as well as develop new skills and reinforce current skills that can be used in their jobs.

"I wanted to get the big picture and to be exposed to leadership skills," said JoAnn Illuzzi, who was selected for the Professional Opportunity Program this year along with Joanne Fletcher.

Both have been members of the UB staff for 11 years. Illuzzi is manager of network software support, technical services in Computer and Information Technology (CIT). Fletcher is director of human resources for University Facilities.

They divide their time between their current jobs and the Office of the Senior Vice President, where they work 20 hours a week, attending meetings, coordinating programs and providing input on a variety of issues. Their staffs in CIT and University Facilities have picked up some of their responsibilities to make their participation in the program possible.

Some days require more juggling than others, but Fletcher and Illuzzi both say the time constraints are not overwhelming, and they find everything can be accomplished-calmly.

"We have lists. This necessitates an extraordinary amount of time management skills. You just can't be everywhere," Fletcher said.

"I think Joanne and I are double booked on everything," Illuzzi added. "But Bob (Wagner) made it clear from the first meeting, don't let family obligations be compromised by this program," Fletcher continued.

They have become good friends as well as valued colleagues since they began the program Sept. 1, they say, not only because they are the first participants in the program, but also because of the respect they've developed for each other. "We're sort of the guinea pigs," Fletcher said. "We didn't know what we were getting into, and I'm not sure they (the Office of the Senior Vice President) had any expectations either."

Fletcher and Illuzzi are enthusiastic about the Professional Opportunity Program and the skills it has allowed them to develop. Both acknowledge they work about 50 hours a week. "You work longer, but you work a lot smarter," Fletcher said. "You get to be a lot more efficient. ."

Illuzzi said the experience has taught her to make choices about what is most important, and her communication skills have improved. "People I work with have noticed it." She's also learned the importance of building a team atmosphere, Illuzzi added.

The extra time spent at the office is well worth it, Illuzzi and Fletcher said. They meet regularly with the Senior Vice President, who has taught them about packaging information for different audiences, working through several viewpoints toward the same goal, and long-term planning strategies.

Administrators in Capen Hall have been very generous with their time and the information they have shared about their operations, Fletcher said. Time at the university has taken on a different meaning, too. "It's not measured in days. Projects truly are long-term. It's a sense of vision," Illuzzi said. She added that the experience has helped her to develop more patience and tolerance of the unknown.

The first three months, Fletcher and Illuzzi agree, were a "learning curve" that they spent reading, getting up to speed on issues and learning acronyms.

"The next people will have it easier," Fletcher said, since they plan to leave lists of reading materials and acronyms for their successors.

While it's been a lot of work, they will hate to see the year end, they both said.

"My only regret is it won't last longer," Fletcher said. "This has surpassed everything we both hoped for."