USAC Meet a Member: Elena Carro
What department do you work in and what is your job title?
I work in the School of Medicine as the Administrative Manager for the Office of Health Sciences Education!
How long have you been a part of USAC and how has it impacted you?
This year is my first! I’ve really enjoyed working on the events committee, collaborating across campus.
What has been your career journey to lead you to where you are today?
I started at VUMC in 2018 as a Pediatric Clinical Research Associate, working with a VUSM faculty. In 2019, I moved over to the University side one floor above my research lab in Medical Center North! I started as a Program Assistant in Medical Alumni Affairs, then was promoted to Administrative Manager 6 months later. After a little over 3 years, another alumnae affairs job opened up at my alma mater, so I decided to pursue that. I missed Vanderbilt, though, so I started a part-time gig back at VU as an MD Admissions Evaluator. I did that for one admissions cycle, then my current job opportunity was created! My role now in the SOM is to manage and support the ten professional degree programs (PDPs): Master of Public Health, Doctor and Master of Medical Physics, Master of Science in Clinical Investigation, Master of Science in Applied Clinical Informatics, Master of Imaging Science, Master of Genetic Counseling, Doctor of Audiology, Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology, and Master of Deaf Education. My team is made up of fantastic individual program managers and personnel, who really make the magic happen on the program-level. I would say that the most fun part of my job is planning and executing student events for the PDPs and working with the student organizations! However, I’d say my favorite part is that I am uniquely positioned to collaborate regularly with lots of different types and groups of people across campus.
What is the greatest bit of advice a parent or mentor has given you?
Leadership is a process, not a position
What do you enjoy doing to relieve stress?
I just got an embroidery machine for my birthday, so that has been my new hobby!
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I thought I wanted to be a nurse and even did two semesters of an Accelerated BSN program at Belmont after graduating from Kentucky. However, I quickly discovered that nursing was not the field for me and the responsibility of life in my hands really gave me a lot of anxiety! I thought I wanted to be a nurse to make a “difference,” so I am so glad I pursued higher education and have found that the work we do as staff does make a huge difference.
If you could visit any country with no budget, where would you visit?
Greece!
What is your favorite outdoor activity?
Long walks in the park with Pinot (my Chiweenie, Pinot Grigio)