I'm DCAL's Associate Director for Professional Development, which really means I focus on professional development for grad students and post-docs. This is the kind of work I've been interested in doing since I was a graduate student who trained new graduate students during the TA Orientation hosted by Princeton's McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning. At some point I realized that I was more passionate about my involvement in academic affairs and student life than I was in my molecular biology dissertation work, so I looked for positions in academic administration after getting my PhD.
After doing faculty development and gender equity research as a post-doc with Hunter College's Gender Equity Project and then as Director of Programs & Projects for Yale's Women Faculty Forum, I am delighted to finally have a position focused on grad students and post-docs (my ideal group) and on teaching & learning. Add to that that I primarily work with people in the sciences, I get to collaborate on K-12 outreach activities (I used to teach a summer science camp and work in a science museum before I participated in K-12 classroom visits as a grad student and post-doc), and I have opportunities to work with the Women in Science Project, this job seems just about perfect.
After my stints in New York City and New Haven, life in the Upper Valley is a bit of a change, but it sure is beautiful up here! I'm happy to be living in moose-country (assuming I don't need to slam on my breaks if I see one!). Some even think it's due to a moose that I accepted this job...
