After nearly two decades at Cornell University, Pat Johnson joined Lehigh as Vice President of Finance and Administration on January 30. Spotlight caught up with her at the end of her second week on the job.
Are you liking our winter?
The first week I was here, the car was covered in ice. So that was interesting! I’d never seen this much snow at once in my 19 years in Ithaca, New York. I thought people were just trying to make me feel better by telling me it’s not usually like this, but I saw on the news that it’s true that this winter is extraordinary.
You were at Cornell for 19 years. Why did you decide to come to Lehigh?
This position was part of my personal career growth plan. But it was important to me to find the right institution. At Cornell I was Associate Vice President and Treasurer, so this was certainly a promotion. I interviewed the first time and as I was driving back I thought ‘wow, this could be a really good fit.’
I thought that the philosophy and the values Lehigh espouses are very close to mine, and the strategic plan and the acquisitions of property that the university has made were very interesting to me, too. To be a part of growing the campus in new ways was, to me, fascinating. Lehigh is also a bit further south, which is something that was important to me. I am from Virginia, so being here gets me a little bit closer to home as well. So I thought it was a good fit, and I’m glad the search committee thought the same thing.
Could you share your view of the role of Human Resources?
I haven’t managed HR departments in the past, though I’ve worked closely with them on benefits plans and setting up investment options. At Cornell I worked with HR on policy writing since I oversaw the policy department.
HR always has a strategic importance. HR will play a key role in identifying the next generation of people who will come to work here and ensuring we have an environment that’s conducive to the new workforce. I think that will be exciting to work on.
In a related issue, what are your thoughts on recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce?
I think we’ll need to do more of what we’re already doing. This is all part of the whole transformation in the workforce. We will have greater opportunity to methodically develop a workforce that is more diverse as our current generation of employees retires. I think this is a very good time, a good opportunity to diversify the workforce in a very orderly way and provide the kind of training that supports that kind of change. It can be a very strategic move, which is where I like to come in and be involved.
You worked in corporate environments prior to your career in higher education. How are the two sectors different in terms of work culture?
The level and the years of experience of employees in higher education are much higher than in the corporate world. There are many people working in the university environment with 25 or more years of experience. You don’t tend to see that level of institutional memory in the corporate environment.
On the other hand, in the corporate environment, change is very common. You have new systems and policies all the time. In every higher education institution I’ve worked in I’ve found that change can be very challenging. Even though we have a renewal of students every year, change among administration and faculty can be hard. I saw it at Cornell, certainly. But the whole world has changed, and we need to move on as well.
Have there been any surprises since you got here?
No surprises, really, but I’ve been really pleased with how nice people have been here. The young people have been very polite and accepting. I’m used to New Yorkers who maybe don’t speak to you or just brush past you. So that’s different. It’s closer to what I call the “southern civility” that I’m used to.
Are there some things you’re already thinking you’d like to impact?
The trustees have asked about saving money, and that will be an emphasis. Some call it cost cutting, but I think of it as doing business smartly. Lehigh is already ahead in some respects in terms of automation and using systems in a way that reduces the workload for people so they can focus on other purposes.
As we look at identifying what we need to do versus what we’re doing, I think I bring a perspective from a larger institution that can be helpful.
I also plan to open up some communication channels to help people feel connected to this position. I’ve already had the opportunity to meet with some faculty members and I plan to continue to interact with all areas of the institution.
Would you like to share anything about your family and life outside of the office?
I’ve been married for over thirty years and have two children, a 27-year old son, and a daughter who is 21. My daughter is graduating from University of Virginia this year and my son is receiving his Ph.D from Stanford in microbiology. I have two little dogs, bichons, that are here in Bethlehem but my husband is still in Ithaca temporarily as we work to sell our house.
I love working out, particularly taking fitness classes. I also love being outdoors , golfing, reading fiction and traveling. For example, I was in St. Petersburg, Russia last year and hope to do more international travel in the future.