Liz Schutz
Director of Strategic Initiatives in Masters Enrollment“I’m a big believer that people won’t always remember what you said, but they will remember how you made them feel. That’s the ‘UChicago way,’ to me!”
Liz Schutz, AB’16, has been a long-time UChicagoan, first arriving to the University for her undergraduate degree, then later returning to work in the admissions office to help potential students find their intellectual home like she did. Schutz was recently promoted to a new role, Director of Strategic Initiatives in Masters Enrollment, where she works with students interested in pursuing one of the University’s many master’s programs.
We asked Schutz about her experiences in this short Q&A:
Q: How long have you been with the University of Chicago, and what drew you here?
A: I’m completing five years as a full-time staff member but am also an alumna of the College. As a student, I was yearning for peers who loved to learn just as much as I did. UChicago delivered on that and then some! I found a sense of community where I could not only be myself but be embraced for it. After I graduated, I worked with the Peace Corps in Mozambique. Upon my return stateside, coming back to UChicago was a natural fit because of how much I truly loved my time here.
Q: How did you become interested in admissions?
A: There are thousands of amazing colleges, but few offer the opportunities that UChicago does. For example, I never expected to study abroad in Beijing after studying Spanish and Portuguese during my undergrad (shout outs to Lidwina van den Hout and Alice McLean, respectively!). I also played eight intramural sports despite being as coordinated as an amoeba. UChicago’s innovative culture – in and out of the classroom – pushed me outside my comfort zone in the healthiest way. Working in Admissions allows me to help students find their own intellectual home that ignites that same personal growth for them. Very rewarding!
Q: With your recent promotion to Director of Strategic Initiatives in Masters Enrollment, what new responsibilities have you taken on?
A: Under the direction of Meredith Daw, Ruthie Robinson, and Sophie Wingland in Career Advancement, and with the partnership of the seven participating graduate schools/divisions, UChicago’s Advanced Scholars “4+1” Program saw more than a 100% increase in applications in just its second year! My new position is dedicated to specifically advising students interested in those programs and working with the divisions to strengthen the overall pipeline of applicants to UChicago’s master’s programs.
Q: What kinds of challenges are you facing and what excites you about your new role in Enrollment and Student Advancement?
A: My favorite part of being an admissions counselor was staying in touch with the wonderful students I admitted and seeing their progression from high school seniors to UChicago scholars. But sometimes those interactions were few and far between. In my new role, I get to meet 1:1 with students daily! I’m excited to be a very small part of students’ journeys to help them on the path toward a master’s degree if that excites them.
Q: The colleague who nominated you said you exemplify the “UChicago way.” What does the “UChicago way” mean to you?
A: I’m lucky to work with an entire division (ESA) that exemplifies “the UChicago way!” When we host visits for prospective or admitted students, our VP, Jim Nondorf, will be standing outside of Rockefeller at 7 a.m. to greet guests with a firm handshake and a healthy dose of enthusiasm. Many students write about that experience when they apply to the College – that no other school welcomed them with that warmth, and certainly not the VP/Dean. I’m a big believer that people won’t always remember what you said, but they will remember how you made them feel. That’s the “UChicago way” to me!
Q: How do you cultivate connections amongst your team members and help them grow?
A: As a manager, I always try to uplift staff and recognize small achievements, as well as build community. Sometimes this meant celebrating co-workers’ UChicago anniversaries with cookies or hosting a game night study break for the student tour guides I co-managed. In my new role, I’m lucky that students whom I used to manage will still visit me, whether for career advising or just to say ‘Hi’. It doesn’t cost anything to just be nice!
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share about your UChicago experience?
A: While the founding principles of UChicago will always ring true, it’s been amazing to see how many more opportunities there are for students, even compared to just 10 to 12 years ago. I highly encourage all students to take advantage of those—study abroad, go on a career trek, do research with a professor outside of your major—this is perhaps the only time in your life you have access to these opportunities at your fingertips. Take a risk, and just do it!