Q & A with Dr. Lynn Lang, Founding Staff Member

Lynn Lang graduated on May 25, 2018 with a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership. Dr. Lang is the Director of Assessment in Academic Affairs. Dr. Lang joined the UMES School of Pharmacy (UMESSOP) in July 2008 alongside the founding dean of the school as the Administrative Assistant, and then became Assessment Coordinator in 2011. In her roles, she has seen the program evolve from its infancy to where we are today. She now holds the role of Director of Assessment, and continues to play a monumental role in the transition of each student through the program into the profession of pharmacy. We decided to spend a few minutes with Dr. Lang to get to know a little more about her and to gain some insight on the growth of the UMESSOP program from her perspective. Q. What are you best memories? What are your least favorite memories? A. One of my best memories is the day that I went to my pharmacy and saw one of my students, a graduate from the Class of 2013, filling my prescription. My heart swelled with pride. My least favorite memories are when we’ve had faculty move on to other positions at other institutions – we’re a family in the SOP, so it’s sad when anyone moves on. Q. What do you think about the transformation of Somerset Hall? A. Somerset Hall has been many things over the years, including a men’s dormitory, a dining hall, and the location for the IT department. Once it was gutted, we could stand in Dr. Hsia’s office at one end of the building and see all the way to Dr. Allen’s office at the other end of the building. The transformation was mind-blowing how we could fit all these offices and breakout rooms in this building. [ [ Q & A

Q. Tell me briefly about life before UMESSOP A. I moved to the Eastern Shore in 1999 after working in Chicago at Mooseheart. I worked at SYSCO Food Services in Pocomoke, MD from 1999-2008 as an Administrative Supervisor in Multi-Unit Sales (corporate accounts).

Q. What lead to you applying for the job and did you have any idea what you were getting yourself into? A. They were planning on dissolving my department at SYSCO. My husband saw the online ad for an Administrative Assistant to the Dean for a new School of Pharmacy at UMES. I had been an adjunct in the English Department at UMES for a number of years, so I was familiar with the organization. I applied on a Monday, took the typing and filing tests on Tuesday, interviewed on Thursday, and was offered the job on Friday. It was meant to be! I had no idea at that time of the opportunities that would come my way.

Q. What was it like in the trailers? A. The trailers were our first offices. They were not what we had in mind for starting a new program, but we made it work. It was a glorious day when we moved into our temporary space in Hazel Hall.

Q. Did you think UMESSOP would have made it this far? A. From the beginning, I knew this program would be successful. The people who were hired to develop the program had impressive backgrounds and areas of expertise and I was in awe at what was accomplished in such a short time to get things up and running. I’m still in awe when I see what we have today and are planning for the future.

Q. How has it been balancing your life with your growth in UMESSOP? A. The years from 2012-2018 were tough. I was working full time as the Assessment Coordinator, working on my Ph.D., and raising a family. When I looked at the loads our students were juggling with studies, families, and work I knew that I could do it. Additionally, from the day I stepped foot in the SOP, I have worked with some of the most supportive people I have ever known in my life. I could not have done it without them. Q. What are your thoughts on having a new building and interprofessional collaboration with all the health professions? A. I think the new building will open many doors to collaboration among the health professions faculty, staff, and students. Having everyone in close proximity will make collaborative activities more feasible.

Q. You’ve had the opportunity to work with all the students who have been through this program, do you think you can easily predict who will be successful and who won’t be? A. It is so much more than academics that makes a successful SOP graduate. There is also the determination, dedication, and desire students have that play an important part. I say that my “antennae wiggle,” which is the feeling I get about students’ success. My predictions are right most of the time.

Q. What made you decide to pursue your PhD? Any more academic pursuits in the near future? A. My mother said I came home from school one day in 7th grade and announced that I wanted to have a Ph.D. one day. In 2011, I mentioned the Organizational Leadership program to Dr. Kathy Webster and she told me that there was no doubt in her mind that I could earn a Ph.D. Her belief in me made me believe that I could achieve that goal. In undergrad and graduate school, I always felt that I hadn’t learned enough. After graduating in 2018, I realized how much I’d grown intellectually and personally. However, I am a lifelong learner, so I’m always looking for the next opportunity to develop and grow.

Q. What does fun look like to you? A. I really enjoy reading and spending time with my family. We like to play board games, kayak, and visit museums. I also enjoy my vegetable garden and tending our 8 chickens.

Q. Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years? A. In the SOP, of course! In my new role as Director of Assessment, I’m looking forward to developing a school-wide system of assessment that assists with accreditation, programmatic improvement, and interprofessional collaboration.