Career Catalyst Series: Higher Education Administration
For those pursuing higher education in STEM, the conversation about the next steps tends to revolve around the choice between academic vs industry research. Though a graduate level degree in the sciences certainly helps with pursuing a career in research; it is important to note that it is not the only possibility. On February 17th, the Centre for Reproductive Science hosted the “Higher Education Administration” Career Catalyst event for trainees to gain exposure to an alternative career path they may have not considered before. Trainees sat in as three professionals recounted their journey towards higher education administration careers. 
Our very own Dr. Kelly Mayo, Dean and Associate Provost for Graduate Education, Professor of Molecular Biosciences, at Northwestern University started off the discussion. Dr. Mayo has been a part of Northwestern faculty since 1985. After former Dean of Graduate Education Dr. Woodruff’s departure from Northwestern in 2020, Dr. Mayo found himself stepping up to fill her role. Dr. Mayo was no stranger to higher education administration. Before becoming the Dean of The Graduate School, Dr. Mayo had already been acting as the Department Chair for The Department of Molecular Biosciences and Assistant Dean for the Weinberg College of Arts and Science at Northwestern.
Dr. Paula Cohen, Professor of Genetics, and Director of the Centre for Reproductive Genomics Associate Vice Provost for Life Sciences at Cornell University; her story to higher education administration takes place across state and international borders. Dr. Cohen completed her graduate studies in the UK at the University of London. For her post-doctoral work, she crossed the Atlantic Ocean to find herself at Albert Einstein College in New York. The choice of whether to continue in the USA or return home to the UK after her postdoctoral training would define the following steps that have led to Dr. Cohen becoming Associate Vice Provost for Life Science at Cornell University.
Research Scientist, Department of Medicine, Yale University and the Assistant Director for Research Affairs at Yale Cancer Center, Dr. Gary Hunnicutt shows a slightly different path towards administration. Tenure track is not a requirement to access positions of higher education administration. Before joining Yale’s Cancer Center as Assistant Director of Research Affairs, Dr. Hunnicutt found himself building a career for himself behind the bench as a research scientist. It is true that positions like Dean or Provost may require tenure track in most instances; but the opportunity to be involved in higher education administration is still available from different avenues.
The common thread that loops these stories together is the openness to explore your career prospects. Sometimes circumstances may lead you in a different direction. Decisions about lifestyle choice may influence what opportunities become available to you. And not being afraid to start progress in a new direction can lead you to uncover career paths you would not have guessed would be fulfilling. If you find yourself uncertain about being stuck to a bench after your graduate studies, higher education administration may be an alternative path to consider.