On December 5, METRANS and USC Women in Management (WIM) hosted Susan Metros as part of a year-long professional development speaker series. Susan Metros is an expert in new and emerging educational technology, including multimedia, visual, and digital interactive technology. She is Associate Vice Provost and Associate Chief Information officer at USC, and holds professorships at the USC Rossier School of Education and USC Roski School of Fine Art.

In her presentation titled “From Wet Behind my Ears to Wise Beyond my Years,” Metros examined the process of leadership, including inspiring and aspiring for leadership as well as general principles of and real meaning in leadership in all aspects of life. Using examples of her own career development, she illustrated strategies and decisions, in particular during adverse times.

One example was of her recently taking the courage to ask people to nominate her for the EDUCAUSE Leadership Award, which she ended up receiving. 

Metros encouraged the audience to look deep inside themselves for their own leadership potential, and always be careful to define themselves by who they truly are, instead of the jobs that they hold. The audience found this particularly thought-provoking, in particular for those who seek to define their next career move and leadership opportunities after having worked in one industry, role or function for a number of years. Young professionals also noted a benefit to taking this approach to examine where they should start to build their leadership skills.

We greatly appreciate METRANS and WIM for their ongoing professional development programming, affording us the opportunity to hear from Susan Metros, and hope that she will carry forward her good humor and coaching skills into the new year for all of our benefit!