Kathryn (Kate) A. LeCroy is a 6th year PhD candidate in the Department of Environmental Sciences within the College of Arts and Sciences. Kate’s dissertation research focuses on the diversity and disease ecology of mason bees across the Mid-Atlantic United States. She studies these bees by coordinating a community citizen science program with 200+ participants across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Kate is also a Jefferson Fellow and will complete her dissertation in in the 2020-2021 academic year with a Jefferson Scholars Foundation Dissertation Year Fellowship.
Kate is a graduate of the Future Faculty Series of PhD Plus, having successfully completed the course. She has also participated in the Career Design series of PhD Plus.
What are your post-PhD career aspirations?
Following postdoctoral research experience, I hope to become a professor with an undergraduate-driven research program at a liberal arts college.
How did participation in the PhD Plus Future Faculty series support your professional development and career planning?
The STEM Future Faculty module taught me details about things I didn't know I even needed to think about when it comes to searching, applying, and interviewing for faculty positions. After taking this module, the faculty job search process feels less abstract to me. I developed some new tools and ways of thinking that I utilize when preparing my application materials. I was able to develop skills in professional communication, diversity and Inclusion, written proficiency (in writing application materials, including how to write a diversity statement), and oral proficiency (from practicing interview questions). I feel like I have a significantly better understanding of how I can express myself more fully in application materials thanks to the community of faculty, staff, postdoctoral researchers, and fellow PhD students who provided their time by listening to me, reading my materials, and offering really helpful feedback during this Future Faculty module.
What is your advice or recommendations to peers on how to best leverage PhD Plus program?
I think the community you'll build and the time given to you by this group of UVA faculty, staff, postdoctoral researchers, and fellow PhD students is unique and valuable. Oftentimes our PhD work can be isolating, and this makes it hard to judge your progress, much less your professional development. Spending time with the PhD Plus Program taking these modules is well worth the knowledge and professional skills you gain!