Shanna Travis
Executive Assistant, Office of the Chair
Here is what Shanna’s nominator had to say about her:
"Shanna is positive, helps when needed, creative, and is a wealth of knowledge".
Nominated by: Melinda Bell
Shanna's Bio
I joined the Department of Ophthalmology in 2011 and has served in various roles in the Chair’s Office supporting HR, Education, and academic administrative functions.
The key to any success that has been experienced has been due to opportunity provided by generous management staff and faculty who have invested, mentored, and believed in my ability to succeed in targeted areas. My greatest joy in return is to invest in those who I have had the opportunity to supervise, identifying their giftings, seeing their skills sharpened, and having the opportunity to encourage and promote next steps in their career trajectory. Ophthalmology has a great cohesive team, and I am honored to be a part of that team.
What advice would you give yourself early on in your career? To a woman entering your field today?
To a woman beginning her career, I would say: Make a decision to be “all in”. Give each opportunity and position your very best effort. Forgive people and offer yourself grace. Find the gaps and fill them. Make a positive difference every day for someone, whether it be a smile, a kind word, or a helping hand. What you give will come back to you in the form of new opportunities. True leadership, in my opinion, is not the ability to give directives, anyone can tell someone what they think should be done. It is standing side-by-side with your team, teaching, learning together and celebrating your wins together.
What’s on your reading list?
A favorite book that I review often is Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek.
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