How external relations supports campus academics.(Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada conference)

"External relations is everybody's business in the academy," said Dr. Valerie Kuehne, the new VP of external relations and a professor in child and youth care at the University of Victoria in British Columbia.

Women at the Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada (SWAAC) conference held in Victoria in May heard Kuehne speak on the impact of external relations and her new role. The first woman in the role at UBC, she had been associate VP for academic planning.

Crossing over to the other side

External relations is misunderstood by most in the academy, often seen as "that other side of the institution," she said. "I'm often asked three questions about my new job."

The first is why she, as an academic, would take this type of administrative role. "Taking this position was not a terribly difficult decision," she explained. "I care profoundly about the university. I've been here 16 years."

The second question comes from those who equate fundraising with begging: "How can you ask for money?" Her quick answer: "Because people give money to somebody and why not to us?"

Her answer to the third question about what she's learned from the experience was: "Lots." For example, most employees tend to do their daily work in silos. The trend toward integrated departments in student services, academic planning and enrollment management means these silos are breaking down, due to intense competition for dollars, scholars and students.