Michelle Talbert-Horsey joined Bryn Mawr as the assistant dean of administration for the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research in January. In her Staff Spotlight, Talbert-Horsey talks about her role at the College.
What are some of the things you do as the assistant dean of administration?
It's multifaceted, but one of my primary responsibilities is to develop processes and procedures with respect to registration. I also work with new student orientation; help students who need to withdraw or have leaves of absence; and work with confirming students for graduation. I'm also an advisor to about 20 students.
What did you do prior to coming to Bryn Mawr?
I've been in higher ed for 24 years. I have experience as an academic advisor and as a career counselor. I was a director of a career services center at Harrisburg Area Community college and, most recently, at Community College of Philadelphia. I've always been interested in helping students be successful and that's what I'm continuing to do here at Bryn Mawr.
What's a typical day like for you in this role?
The most exciting thing about this job is that there really isn't a typical day. I'm constantly learning, which I think is a skill that we need to make sure that we're instilling in all of our students as well to make sure that they are, or they have the mindset of, always being willing to learn something new or something different.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I'm a puzzler. I love to do jigsaw puzzles. Some of the work that I'm currently doing is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. You get a little piece of information over here, you get a little piece of information from this other office, and then you kind of have to make the pieces fit.
As part of our effort to build community, College Communications plans to highlight College staff members regularly. If there's someone you think we should feature, please let us know at news@brynmawr.edu.