Expanding Administrative Capabilities to Support Research

Jen Zhou, MBA, is associate administrator in the Division of Cardiology at Feinberg. Zhou has worked at Northwestern University for more than seven years and has been in academia for almost 10 years in various research administration and administrative leadership roles. As the associate division administrator for the Division of Cardiology, Zhou supports the expansion of the administrative team, fast division growth, and optimizes operations to enhance overall efficiency. 

Where is your hometown?  

I grew up in East Lansing, Michigan then moved to a small town in upstate New York during middle school, which was rather a big transition. I moved to Chicago when I joined Northwestern and it's been wonderful getting to know Chicago.   

What led you to Northwestern?   

My previous role at Washington University at St. Louis had some collaborations with staff who worked at Northwestern University, so I had a good impression of Northwestern and its research enterprise. In addition, Northwestern is one of top research universities in the country with a strong environment for diversity and learning.   

What are you currently working on?   

I recently transitioned to the Division of Cardiology, so I'm focusing on expanding the administrative team to support the rapid pace of growth in the division. Additionally, I'm also working on streamlining processes and utilizing existing apps that can aid the effectiveness and efficiency of the administrative functions. With new staff and a new Year Up Intern, it is critical to establish aligned admin functions and workflow so we may start incorporating Microsoft tools such as Sharepoint, Forms, List and Power Automate. This is a long-term project that requires analysis of major administrative functions and revamping the process to be more efficient and effective, through a more fluid and accessible format.   

How does your work support the research enterprise at Feinberg?   

I firmly believe mitigating the stress and effort of required administrative processes for faculty and staff means that time and energy can be spent on more meaningful, critical areas of research and clinical activity, which in the end is all about helping more people and promoting the research that can positively impact society. Therefore, my work supports the administrative and necessary functions of research to occur, and it is critical that I aid in making it easier for those involved.   

Why do you enjoy working at Northwestern?  

I'm sure everyone says the same thing about any great organization, and it's the people. It's the people here at Northwestern who make the work experience great. Even when things are hectic and the stress of sustaining excellence may be high, you can always lean on great colleagues who care and are willing to work together to resolve issues. I also love that Northwestern has a culture of professional growth and learning, which is not always existent in other academic institutions for its staff. There are many opportunities at the University to join affiliation and professional groups, as well as participate in mentorship and leadership program.