麻豆精品

Talent can take a person far, but as 麻豆精品 President Kathy Humphrey, PhD, shared during a recent appearance on the PittsburgHER podcast, talent alone cannot always open a closed door. 

鈥淭here鈥檚 so much power in an open door,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou can be as good as good can be. But if a door never opens, you鈥檙e good outside that door.鈥� 

Dr. Humphrey joined hosts DJ Femi, Kristy Graver, and Rachael Rennebeck for the type of candid, unscripted conversation that has become the signature of PittsburgHER. Produced by Pittsburgh Magazine in collaboration with YaJagoff Media, the biweekly podcast brings local women together to discuss topics pulled from a 鈥渕agnolia bowl.鈥� 

When the conversation turned to the women who had shaped her life,聽Dr.聽Humphrey reflected on those who recognized her potential, challenged聽her,聽and encouraged her to pursue opportunities she may not have imagined for herself.聽Again and again, she said, women in her life told her she was capable of more.

Opening the Door for Someone Else

Those experiences continue to shape how President Humphrey understands leadership. Walking through an open door creates an opportunity, but it also carries a responsibility to hold that door open for someone else. 

鈥淭o whom much is given, much is required,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e not just getting this for yourself… Carlow was created to provide opportunities to those who didn鈥檛 have opportunity… It was created to meet the next great need.鈥� 

Founded by the Sisters of Mercy, Carlow has long prepared students to use their education in service to others.聽While a聽degree聽from any institution might help open professional or financial doors,聽Carlow聽graduates聽are聽asked聽to consider what they will do with the opportunities they have received and whose path they might help clear next.

Our Connectedness

For Dr. Humphrey, that responsibility begins with being present for the students already walking through Carlow鈥檚 doors. On PittsburgHER, she spoke about visiting the dining hall, sitting with students, and making a point to learn their names. Those conversations give her an opportunity to hear directly about their experiences, ambitions, and concerns. 

She doesn’t view that personal connection as separate from the work of leading a university. It is part of the work.  鈥淚f you go to a school like Carlow, the president should spend time with you,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey should know you.鈥� 

Knowing students personally allows a university to recognize their talents and help them identify possibilities they have not yet seen for themselves. In that way, the women who opened doors for Humphrey remain present in the way she now leads. 鈥淲e cannot forget the power of our humanity and our connectedness as humans,鈥� she said. 

For a university president, that means knowing the students she serves. For an educator, mentor, or leader, it means noticing potential and helping create an opportunity for it to grow. Sometimes, it begins simply by opening a door. 

Listen to Dr. Kathy Humphrey鈥檚 full conversation with the women of聽PittsburgHER听产别濒辞飞.