Rhiana Quick, Director of Client Solutions, joined Darden Executive Education & Lifelong Learning in 2021. Prior to her current role, she was a member of our Operations team where she worked as a senior program manager, playing an integral role in the design and delivery of a portfolio of custom and open enrollment programs. We recently sat down with her to learn more about her journey to Darden, her favorite moments on the job, the significance of lifelong learning to her and more.
Can you share more about your career journey and how you came to Darden?
After realizing I didn’t want to utilize my political science degree for a career in politics, I began my career at Phi Beta Kappa Society, an academic honor society, and was there for nine years. I held three different roles focused on member events and engagement and learning. It built the foreground for the direction of my career in education.
Then I moved to an association, the Council for Advancement in Support of Education, where I focused on professional development programming for advancement, alumni relations and communications professionals at colleges and universities. I had always wanted to work at an academic institution, be on campus and experience the dynamic energy of a university, so I moved to Charlottesville and joined Darden over three years ago.
Lifelong learning has been such a big part of my career and my life. My curiosity and passion for learning is something that’s enriched my life in so many ways both personally and professionally. Lifelong learning is a mindset that’s empowering and leads us to live a purposeful life and reach our full potential.
How has the transition been into the higher education space and what do love about working at Darden?
My transition to higher education and evolution in my role on our team has been extremely gratifying. I was at a point in my career where I needed a stretch role to challenge me, which I have definitely found here at Darden. I’ve been able to use my perspective as a program manager to help guide how I work as a director. My background is different from the other directors on the team, and I enjoy being able to bring that perspective to our programming.
There’s a lot that I love about working at Darden. Our team is small but mighty – there’s a lot of collaboration and opportunities to work across teams and get to know other people. We set the bar high for ourselves and to achieve our goals we have to band together.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Given my background in operations, I love being able to focus on those small details that elevate the experience for our participants and client partners. There is a lot that goes into program delivery that people don’t see, and it’s gratifying when we’re on site and the program is running and we can see the impact of our work. It’s a big deal for an organization to invest in their people and send them to a program at Darden. I love that our team is able to curate a learning journey that gives them the tools to reach their full potential and an environment where they can engage and network with other participants and our amazing faculty.
Is there a moment of impact or favorite memory during your time at Darden that you can share?
There’s a few that come to mind. In general, the most impactful moments I remember are when participants come together as a cohort after not knowing each other, and they bond and have a synergy both inside and outside of the classroom.
In the Women in Leadership Program, there’s an activity that participants complete called the Reflected Best Self Exercise. This can get emotional as people reflect on things like what makes you a good leader and a good person. During that exercise, you can feel the supportive environment in the classroom that’s been created as each participant shares their story.
In Leading Teams for Growth and Change, there’s a rowing component to the program. Participants typically go from never having been in a boat before to doing a full regatta race at the end of the week. It is so gratifying to see participants overcoming their fears or working through an injury– they actively are choosing to persevere and their team steps up to help everyone get through.
There’s also a program that we run for the Credit Union Executive Society, and one of the components of the program is a high ropes course. You can see there’s some nerves and trepidation, but the participants step outside of their comfort zone to support and challenge each other, and it’s amazing to see them come together and how that connection elevates the remaining class sessions in the program
Why is lifelong learning important to you?
Lifelong learning has been such a big part of my career and my life. My curiosity and passion for learning is something that’s enriched my life in so many ways both personally and professionally. Lifelong learning is a mindset that’s empowering and leads us to live a purposeful life and reach our full potential. I strive to embody that mindset and feel very lucky that part of my job is helping our participants embrace the importance of lifelong learning.
