Oxford College Dean Badia Ahad and Senior Associate Dean for Teaching, Scholarship and Strategic Initiatives Molly McGehee (03G, 07G) took to the stage on April 1 to share reflections on their journeys from faculty members to administration at the final panel of “Fireside Chats with Women Leaders at Emory.” The Office of Faculty Affairs hosted this series in honor of Women’s History Month to highlight women leaders involved with administrative roles at Emory University.
Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion Carol Henderson moderated the event, which concluded with a Q&A session. Around 40 students and faculty attended the event held in Oxford College’s Phi Gamma Hall.
Ahad discussed her transition from working in the English department for 18 years at Loyola University Chicago to taking on a more administrative role within Loyola. Though Ahad said she was not initially keen on executive leadership because of its short-term nature, she soon recognized the value of working as an administrator. As the director of undergraduate studies, Ahad said she saw an opportunity to ensure that Loyola’s curriculum was serving its students.
“I saw an opportunity there because our curriculum was very old,” Ahad said. “It had not been reviewed for 10 years, but our student demographics had changed significantly in that time.”
McGehee said her path to leadership was inspired by her father’s experience, working his way up the administrative ladder at Wofford College (S.C.), the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and the University of Alabama. She specifically praised the “quiet humility” with which he conducted his work.
“Watching his work ethic, watching his dedication, his belief that he could move the needle on this place that was struggling with admissions and resources and all those things, that was one thing,” McGehee said. “But the way he did it: humble, never drawing attention to himself.”
McGehee also discussed the qualities she said strong leaders should have, including selflessness and collaboration. She also emphasized the importance of developing trust via listening and maintaining a “strong sense of values.”
Both speakers referenced challenges they experienced as women leaders in higher education, with McGehee saying she had to learn to be more assertive.
McGehee also spoke to the necessity of maintaining confidence to combat the challenges women often face in the workplace.
“There are times that I’m like, he’s gonna interrupt me,” McGhee said. “I’m gonna interrupt him, and I get louder, or I’m gonna need to make sure my voice is heard.”
Ronika Alexander-Ortman, a senior financial analyst in Oxford’s finance and administration department, attended the panel and noted how the number of women in administrative positions continues to grow in higher education.
“Because our numbers are increasing and the impact that women can have on any institution is greater than a lot of people may know and understand,” Alexander-Ortman said.
Alexander-Ortman encouraged not just women but all students and faculty at Oxford to understand the importance of promoting female empowerment in academic administration. She said that these fireside chats underscore the importance of celebrating the accomplishments of female leaders but also of inspiring future generations to pursue higher positions in academia.
“We have to help support the community, and every person on this campus can do that,” Alexander-Ortman said.
OxSGA Desk Kimble Schiller (26Ox) contributed to reporting.
