Kristen Pappas recently celebrated 15 years at the UVA Darden School of Business. In her current role as Director of Learning Solutions at Darden Executive Education & Lifelong Learning (EELL), she works closely with Darden faculty and the EELL operations team to design and deliver transformational leadership programs, managing EELL’s open enrollment portfolio. Kristen reflects on her 15 years at Darden, why she loves her role, and the importance of lifelong learning.
Can you share more about your career journey and your time at Darden?
My background is in international education, and I’ve always had a passion and desire to work in higher education. This year I hit a special milestone at Darden, celebrating my 15th work anniversary. When I first came to Darden 15 years ago, I started in the Office of Student Affairs. It was rewarding working with our MBA, international student population and student organizations. Then I transitioned over to the Darden Center for Global Initiatives (DCGI), collaborating with faculty vendors and the broader Darden network to develop and manage global academic programs. After DCGI, I stepped into my current role as the Director of Learning Solutions.
Each of my roles have helped me gain a holistic understanding of Darden’s mission, allowed me to see the impact we have on our community of learners across degree programs and executive education, and equipped me with a better lens to foster innovation and collaboration across the entire Darden enterprise. I’m grateful for the journey and excited to see where it goes next.
What’s your favorite part of your role today?
There are so many things I enjoy! I love working with our faculty to design the open enrollment programs. It’s interesting to hear their latest research, industry insights and emerging trends, and then work together to translate that knowledge into dynamic learning experiences for the classroom.
Another big piece of my role that I enjoy is connecting with our program participants. I love hearing the conversations in the classroom and seeing how our senior leaders from different backgrounds and industries are tackling similar challenges from different perspectives. The faculty also guide the classroom discussions in a way that brings forth a rich exchange of ideas. At the end of each program, I always make a point to hear the program wrap-up reflections so I can understand what stood out most to participants, what they’re taking back to work and how they’re going to apply what they learned. Knowing our programs are making a real impact keeps me motivated and makes the work very fulfilling.
Lifelong learning is essential because if you’re not learning, you’re not growing. Staying curious and continuously expanding our knowledge allows us to adapt, evolve and remain relevant, both in our careers and personal lives.
What do you think sets Darden apart from other institutions in the realm of executive education?
Three things come to mind for me. The first is the amazing faculty. The same top faculty who teach in our degree programs, teach in our executive education programs. They’re invested in participants learning and growth. Whether it’s through using the dynamic case method or casual conversations over meals and breaks, they take the time to know and connect with participants and understand their challenges and how they can apply insights from the program to their industries.
The second is our beautiful Forum Hotel that all of our open enrollment participants stay in when they’re on Darden’s Grounds in Charlottesville. It’s more than a convenient place to sleep. The beautiful gardens and arboretum, easy access to classrooms, and the setting are all designed to enhance the learning experience. They also receive next-level hospitality and service, so participants feel welcomed and well taken care of while they’re away from home.
Finally, the exceptional delivery team elevates the overall program experience. The level of attention to detail and care that’s given to each of our participants is outstanding. The moment someone enrolls in a program, our delivery team is there to make sure everything runs smoothly. They’re so friendly and experts in what they do – learners can focus on learning while they’re here and not have to worry about anything else.
Do you have a favorite story from your time at Darden?
It’s hard to pick one, but more recently I had the opportunity to participate in one of our open enrollment programs, Leading Teams for Growth and Change. It’s one of our most unique and popular programs with a mix of classroom learning and hands-on experience, helping leaders navigate change and build high-performance teams. What really sets the program apart is the rowing component that takes place outside the classroom, and we’re coached by former Olympic rowers. I had zero knowledge or rowing experience, and it was a humbling experience being both physically and mentally challenging. It’s hard to get your entire team in sync, but when it all clicks and you’re in unison, even for a few strokes, it’s a very exciting moment.
It gave me a deeper understanding of what it takes to truly build a high-performance team, and I walked away with lessons about leadership and how rowing, similar to leadership, needs alignment and trust to move forward together.
Why is lifelong learning important to you?
Lifelong learning is essential because if you’re not learning, you’re not growing. Staying curious and continuously expanding our knowledge allows us to adapt, evolve and remain relevant, both in our careers and personal lives. Lifelong learning cultivates a growth mindset and opens us up to fresh perspectives. It’s also the cornerstone of effective leadership. The best leaders I’ve seen are the ones who are committed to their own growth while fostering a culture of continuous learning within their organizations. When we make learning a priority, we empower ourselves and those around us to innovate and tackle challenges while creating positive outcomes.
My experience at Darden EELL has deepened my appreciation for the transformational power of continuous learning. Seeing participants leave programs energized and equipped with new insights they can apply serve as a constant reminder for me that continuous education is not just beneficial – it’s necessary.
