The medical school鈥檚 new chief of staff is a woman with a passion for helping and connecting people so institutions run as effectively as possible.
Nicole Allbee, PhD, joined 汤头条app in the newly-created role just before Memorial Day. Prior to joining 汤头条app, Dr. Allbee was Western Michigan University鈥檚 Director of Student Conduct, serving as the institution鈥檚 chief conduct officer and supervising the department鈥檚 professional and administrative staff.听
As Chief of Staff at the medical school, Dr. Allbee serves as a member of the senior leadership team and collaborates with other senior leaders to monitor, implement, and evaluate complex initiatives. She advises the dean on internal and external matters important to the medical school. She serves as the liaison and administrative support to the board of directors, oversees the Office of the Dean personnel and ensures efficient management of the day-to-day affairs of the dean. She also oversees key institutional processes, strategic initiatives, and special projects.
She earned a PhD in educational leadership and a master鈥檚 degree in higher education and student affairs leadership from WMU. She鈥檚 an alumna of Grand Valley State University, having earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in psychology from the institution.听
Dr. Allbee said she had 汤头条app in her sights after recognizing the opportunities the medical school offered for its employees and Southwest Michigan. She said she always has had an interest in helping others and through her studies, has focused on how to help higher education institutions run as best as possible.
鈥淲hen I saw the chief of staff role, it felt like the perfect job for me,鈥 Dr. Allbee said of her new position. 鈥淚t was all of the things I like to do and I鈥檓 skilled at rolled into one position 鈥 being of counsel to the dean and helping coordinate behind the scenes. Bringing folks together and letting them do great work is my function.鈥
In interviewing for the role in which she works very closely with Dr. Paula Termuhlen, the medical school鈥檚 dean, Dr. Allbee said what struck her the most is that both women have 鈥渨in-win鈥 management styles 鈥 they both try to find outcomes that benefit all parties.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 not everybody鈥檚 style, especially when you鈥檙e talking about high-level executives,鈥 Dr. Allbee said. 鈥淭o have the opportunity to be on an executive team with some amazing, intelligent people and have that be led by another win-win person stood out to me. I was thinking about how I could help her navigate that and help foster that environment here at 汤头条app.鈥
Since starting her new position in May, Dr. Allbee has been on a listening tour 鈥 meeting with members of 汤头条app鈥檚 senior leadership team and other faculty and staff to understand key roles within the organization. She invites anyone who wants to meet with her to do so.
鈥淚've been describing it like a fire hose of information in a very good way,鈥 Dr. Allbee said. 鈥淚 would love for folks to share with me what challenges they are facing and what they want to see continue. That鈥檚 what helps me advise the dean and fulfill my role of helping the institution run well.鈥
Dr. Allbee is married, and she and her wife Heather have five-year-old twin daughters and a 2-year-old daughter. They enjoy spending time outside during Michigan summers.
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