UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education recently partnered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles to deliver a customized Leadership Development Academy (LDA)/Mid-Manager Training program—marking the first full cohort training held at Aggie Square, the new innovation hub located on UC Davis' Sacramento campus. 

Over the course of the nine-day training series (spread across three months), 21 DMV mid-level managers came together to expand their leadership capacity, strengthen critical thinking skills and build cross-departmental connections that support the DMV’s mission to enhance public service across California and foster staff development. 

Meeting Statewide Workforce Needs Through Tailored Training 

Since 2008, CPE has collaborated with the DMV to develop scalable programs that address emerging challenges within the department. Using needs assessments to pinpoint skill gaps, CPE offers customized workforce training in a variety of formats to fit different schedules and learning styles. 

“CPE provides a wide range of training options and customizes everything to meet the specific needs of state government. The instructors are also industry experts with real-world experience, fostering a positive learning environment and strong connections,” said a DMV representative. 

Encouraged to reflect on how their new skills could support their work, participants pointed to more objective analysis and better-informed decision making. Those individual gains translate into broader organizational impact, as employees apply what they’ve learned across teams and departments. 

“Partnering with UC Davis CPE has given DMV employees across all leadership levels the opportunity to improve their skills, helping them better manage teams, communicate with the public and navigate internal processes,” said the DMV representative. 

Inside the Training: Leadership Skills for Today’s Public Sector 

According to Monica Jackson, director of custom contract training at UC Davis CPE who oversaw the program, the cohort included DMV middle-managers from administrative roles throughout the state—most of whom supervise other supervisors. 

The curriculum was designed to strengthen the leadership pipeline and included: 

• Leading at various organizational levels
• Motivating teams and building trust
• Adapting leadership approaches for diverse workgroups
• Understanding decision-making processes and their organization-wide impacts
• Delegation and leveraging individual strengths
• Emotional intelligence and culture-building
• Developing and managing a unit-wide budget 

“This training was an opportunity for participants to deepen their leadership perspectives, practice new skills and build relationships,” Monica said. “With this being our first in-person cohort training at Aggie Square since moving here in April 2025, the experience was especially meaningful.” 

The cohort concluded with a luncheon and graduation ceremony featuring keynote remarks from DMV directors. 

Participant Reflections: Skills They’re Taking Back to Work 

Chrissy Jablonski, Staff Services Manager II, (Administrative Staff Support Unit Information Systems Division) 

Chrissy came into the program hoping to grow as a leader and strengthen her communication and change-management skills. 

“The sessions were practical and engaging. It helped me take a step back, reflect on my leadership style, and think about where I can continue to grow.” 

One of her most impactful takeaways was revisiting the DISC assessment, which reminded her of the importance of adapting communication and leadership styles. 

“A one-size-fits-all leadership approach doesn’t work. Leading with empathy and recognizing different communication styles has not only helped me better support my own team but has also been useful when working with other team leaders.” 

She also left the program feeling more connected to DMV’s mission and values: 

“It made me proud to be here and showed me that DMV leadership recognizes the importance of the work we do at the mid-manager level. I made meaningful connections with peers across the department and left feeling inspired to keep growing.” 

Adrian Monteon, Staff Services Manager II, (Modernization Branch–Operations Division) 

With more than 12 years at the DMV, Adrian sought updated leadership fundamentals and practical tools that could be implemented immediately. 

“The program not only met my expectations—it provided valuable insights I’ve already begun applying.” 

One of the tools that stood out was Negotiation as a Superpower: 

“I plan to incorporate the strategies for leveraging power in negotiations and use the BATNA —Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement—framework to help my team approach decisions more strategically and with greater clarity and confidence.” 

Why Aggie Square Matters for Workforce Training 

Aggie Square is designed to bring education, research, industry and community impact together in one location. For professional learners—especially public-sector employees—training at Aggie Square offers several advantages: 

• A Central Sacramento Hub: Its location provides easy access for state agencies and regional organizations.
• A Space Built for Collaboration: Aggie Square includes modern classrooms, meeting spaces and technology-equipped environments ideal for cohort-based learning.
• A Transformative Learning Environment: By hosting trainings here, UC Davis CPE gives clients like DMV access to UC Davis’ broader innovation network while strengthening partnerships that support regional economic growth. 

Monica noted that hosting DMV’s cohort at Aggie Square brought added energy and connection to the training: 

“Being in this innovative, collaborative space enhanced the experience. It made the cohort feel like they were part of something bigger—tied not only to DMV’s goals but to the future of workforce development in Sacramento.” 

Strengthening California’s Workforce—One Leader at a Time 

The partnership between UC Davis CPE and DMV continues to demonstrate how targeted, high-quality professional development can strengthen leadership, improve public service and support organizational transformation. 

By hosting the training at Aggie Square, CPE is expanding the impact even further—connecting state leaders to a vibrant hub of innovation and opportunity in the heart of Sacramento. 

In March 2026, the DMV will begin their Supervisory cohort training at Aggie Square. 

This article was kickstarted by AI and handcrafted to completion by the marketing staff at UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education, who are responsible for the final product. By combining technology and human expertise, this release is accurate, written efficiently and hopefully piques your interest.