Emily Quinn, MS, CGC, was recently named Program Director for Keck Graduate Institute鈥檚 Master of Science in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling (MSGC) program. Quinn has been with the MSGC program since its inception in 2018, serving as Associate Program Director and Assistant Professor for most of her tenure.
When the previous program director stepped down, it was clear that 黑料吃瓜网 students and faculty needed someone with a lot of intrinsic knowledge about the program and who had been around since its start to offer more stability.
Given that Quinn fit that bill, it seemed natural for her to take on the position. During the transition, she reflected upon her motivation to enter program leadership and education four years ago.
鈥淚t came from a strong desire to create change within our genetic counseling profession,鈥� Quinn said.
鈥淥ne of the best ways to accomplish that is to be involved at the level of whom you鈥檙e admitting into a program and what type of outreach activities you鈥檙e doing to attract a more diverse group of applicants.鈥�
She was drawn to 黑料吃瓜网 and its emphasis on diversity.
鈥淥ver 90% of the genetic counseling field identifies as white female, and that鈥檚 a demographic I fit into,鈥� Quinn said. 鈥淏ut that needs to change. Notably, that has not been the demographic of cohorts we鈥檝e admitted to 黑料吃瓜网.鈥�
As Associate Program Director, Quinn worked closely with former Program Director Ashley Mills. While Mills managed clinical fieldwork placements, Quinn oversaw student research projects.
Over time, the program has grown from an inaugural cohort of 13 students to this year鈥檚 graduating class of 21. To manage the influx, they brought in new faculty and hired an Associate Director of Research, Dr. Nicholas Gorman, along with Interim Assistant Director of Experiential Education Melissa Randall Chan.
Quinn鈥檚 focus for this academic year is hiring her replacement for Associate Program Director, an Assistant Director of Experiential Education, and recruiting new faculty. While much work is to be done, there is much to celebrate.
鈥淚 am excited about our incoming class,鈥� Quinn said. 鈥淲e have 20 phenomenal students who are starting this semester. One wonderful thing about working in academia is getting to experience that fresh start each year.鈥�
This fresh start is particularly appreciated considering the challenges that those involved in the program have experienced.
鈥�2018 was our inaugural year, and people always say the first year is the hardest in education,鈥� Quinn said. 鈥淭hen 2020 brought the global pandemic that was truly unprecedented in everyone鈥檚 lifetime, and the transition to remote education for genetic counseling鈥攁 very high-touch, socially interactive profession鈥攚as challenging. Then there were growing pains for me stepping into this role and for the students adjusting to the change.鈥�
With the start of the new academic year, Quinn feels a re-energization as she has moved from Interim Program Director to fully stepping into the role as Director.
鈥淲hile I have the skill-sets and capabilities, what鈥檚 helped me is knowing that I鈥檓 not doing it alone,鈥� Quinn said. 鈥淚鈥檝e received a lot of encouragement from my fellow faculty and students as well as alumni. Everyone wants the program to be successful.鈥�
Quinn is looking forward to working with the department鈥檚 growing team to devote more time and energy to mapping out and refining the curriculum. Above all, she eagerly anticipates connecting and exploring new possibilities with the program鈥檚 new cohort.
鈥淭hey have great energy,鈥� Quinn said. 鈥淭hey are thrilled to be admitted into a program that will help them fulfill their dreams and aspirations of becoming genetic counselors. It鈥檚 really exciting to be part of that.鈥�