In her role as associate dean for graduate education, Cherilynn Shadding, PhD oversees multiple programs for student and faculty development, serves on committees, and uses her skills as a relator to support those she works with. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, live music, and spending time with her son. 

What do you do day-to-day in your role? 

I oversee services and support at the Graduate School, including admissions, wellness, student groups, and recruitment. I lead school-wide initiatives like The Academy at the GSBS, a program geared toward helping new students succeed in graduate school, and our Discover Biomedicine webinar series for prospective students. As an associate professor, I teach professional development to future faculty and co-lead our faculty development program, Mentoring Works! My office also supports two standing committees: Admissions and Student Success & Well-Being. And through my work nationally with Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) committees, I get to conduct broad science outreach and swap ideas with peers across the country — and yes, add a few more meetings to my calendar! 

What projects are you currently working on? 

We are wrapping up a very busy admissions season and preparing for orientation and recruitment season. 

What excites you the most about working at the Graduate School? 

I love the genuine care we have for our students — it’s unlike any other graduate school for biomedical science. While our students are fully capable adults, graduate school is a challenging journey, often marked by more setbacks than wins. The final success is incredibly rewarding, but the path can be tough at any stage. I truly value that our school is committed to making that journey easier where we can. We may not be able to fix every problem, but we work hard to reduce the obstacles that stand in the way of each student’s persistence. 

What are your hobbies outside of work? 

Anyone who knows me knows my pride and joy is my 12-year-old son, so most of my “free” time typically revolves around his interests. We’ve recently taken up gardening — fruits, vegetables, flowers — it’s been a fun (and sometimes messy) learning adventure. When I have time to myself, I love live music, catching up with friends and family over good food, and escaping to the beach whenever I can. My aspirational hobbies? Biking, birdwatching, and writing — hopefully someday soon! 

What skills do you find most valuable in your work? 

The skills I find most valuable in my role start with being a relator — I focus on meeting people where they are and providing personalized support to our students. I also love to create and imagine new possibilities, which has helped me launch or revamp several initiatives during my time at the Graduate School. And I’m naturally futuristic; I’m always thinking ahead, whether it’s sharing a vision for my own path, my office, our students, or how we can grow as a school.  

Do you have a favorite memory at the Graduate School?

I’ve built many meaningful memories during my six years here, but one that stands out is creating The Academy at the GSBS, a program that teaches students the skills they need to be successful in graduate school. I’ve always loved developing talent — whether that’s students, faculty, or staff — and The Academy has allowed me to channel that passion. It is modeled after successful programs I created at my former institution, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see it flourish. 

Each year, I get to watch new students enter the program with some hesitation, then gradually find their footing and grow in confidence. Reflecting on those early cohorts, who are now senior students winning prestigious grants, publishing, presenting nationally, and earning awards, fills me with pride. 

One highlight moment was last fall, when students Stephen Farmer, René Girard, and Andrew Gillard led an outstanding workshop called “The Art of Reading Papers.” They were thoughtful, engaging, and used their own work to teach and inspire the next cohort. It was a powerful full-circle moment that truly embodied The Academy’s mission: leadership, community, and student success.