UGA Journeys - UGA Human Resources

Navigating Your Career Path

UGA Journeys will help modernize University Human Resources’ approach to career development for staff, as well as staff and faculty supervisors. This effort will feature implementing new tools and procedures that provide a continuous career development model built to create transparency, retention, and growth. Through professional development, career mapping, and compensation total rewards this program will empower staff to pursue their professional goals.

View Benefits of UGA Journeys poster (PDF).

Note: The classification structure for benefits-eligible staff was updated September 1, 2025 for all staff positions which work more than 20 hours per week.

Resources

Classification Structure

Career Progression

$Career Progression$

Description

Project Team

FAQs

Glossary

News & Updates

Training

UGA Journeys Updates

UGA Journeys Implementation – Status, Direction, and Next Steps Memo
July 31, 2025

University Human Resources (UHR) is advancing the UGA Journeys Project, in response to the recommendation of the Presidential Task Force on Staff Professional Development to create greater clarity, consistency, and transparency in staff roles and career progression. The goal of the compensation component of this project is to modernize the compensation structure to update the pay scale, create a mechanism for progression, and develop a strategy to maintain the structure. UHR has been working to finalize the alignment of job titles, responsibilities, and pay structures in a way that supports growth and consistency across the university while recognizing the unique needs of a unit.

On September 1, 2025, the new approach to career development for staff at UGA will be introduced. To implement this component of the Journeys infrastructure, a limited number of employees will have their pay adjusted or exemption status changed. These changes will not result in a reduction of pay. Learn more about next steps and the implementation timeline (full memo).

Click the button below to learn more about the new classification structure for staff.

Classification Structure Resources Career Progression Model Additional Journeys News Items Additional Journeys Resources

Clear Career Paths

Consistency around classifications and classifications tasks in position descriptions.

Career level progression mapping that clarify areas for staff advancement.

By aligning professional development with career progression, UGA staff will have a clear understanding of what is available for their development.

Professional Development Opportunities

New professional development tools and training will support identification of career development opportunities.

Staff will have the opportunity to develop their skills for their current role and to prepare for potential future opportunities when positions become available.

Development courses may be in-person, but many will be available online through the Professional Education Portal (PEP).

This work will also provide tools and resources to supervisors as they work to support the career development of their staff.

Enhanced Performance Management Tool

University Human Resources will launch an online performance management tool based on the UGA Staff Competency Model’s core competencies and leadership competencies (PDF) (when applicable).

Online tool will feature a staff evaluation process that encourages growth conversations. Learn more about the UGA Staff Competency Model: Performance Management Rubric (PDF).

Introducing the New UGA Staff Performance Management Process: In January 2025, University Human Resources launched a brand new Staff Performance Evaluation process through the Professional Education Portal (PEP). Learn more at the bottom of this page, under “UGA Performance Management” section.

Competitive Compensation Model

Compensation structure will include enhancements to the classification structure and incorporate best practices according to market research.

An updated approach to setting salaries will allow UGA to hire and retain staff using a market-based approach to compensation. This will assist with hiring in a competitive market as well as retention of current employees.

Compensation software that will provide increased clarity around market matches, reporting, analytics, and dashboards. The goal of this software is to be able to provide units with more information while also speeding up the analysis process on salary requests.

Journeys FAQs Journeys Glossary of Terms

What us UGA Journeys?

Learn more about what UGA Journeys is and what it isn’t.

UGA Performance Management

New UGA Staff Performance Management Process: In January 2025, University Human Resources will be launched a brand new Staff Performance Evaluation process through the Professional Education Portal (PEP). Read more about this new process.

Performance Process Resources How will I be evaluated? Staff Competency Model

UGA Journeys logo

We welcome you to reach out to [email protected] with any questions.

Meet the Journeys Team

News & Announcements

09.19.2025

UGA Benefits Fair for Open Enrollment 2026

This year’s open enrollment period will be held from Oct. 27 through Nov. 7, 2025. This is an active enrollment year, which means action will be required on the part of each UGA employee to ensure that benefits and associated costs match individual circumstances. All faculty and staff enrolled or enrolling in a USG healthcare […]

09.03.2025

Professional Education Portal (PEP) Catalog 2025-2026

Professional development workshops for UGA faculty and staff are now available for the 2025-2026 Academic year through University Human Resources Learning & Development (L&D). Browse or keyword search the course catalog here. You can also find this catalog linked on the Learning & Development website and by searching for the Learning and Development Course Catalog in the Learning and Development Course […]

08.22.2025

Board of Regents approves 2026 USG health care plans, premiums

See All News

Elevating the University of Georgia’s most valuable resource – its people.

Explore Employment Contact UHR Today