Get to know Susan Carter–Administrative Associate

Susan Carter joined Sarafan ChEM-H in 2018, bringing with her a wealth of administrative experience and a love for problem-solving. She takes pride in contributing meaningfully to the institute’s vision and mission. 

In this Q&A, we got to learn more about her professional background and current role, a special project that stood out to her, her passion for exploring new places, and much more.

Can you share a bit about your background?

I’ve been in an administrative role most of my career, and one of the advantages of this is that you can support meaningful work almost anywhere. After years of exploring different opportunities, I've landed somewhere special: a role where I feel truly useful, work alongside people I genuinely enjoy, and get to be part of exciting interdisciplinary research.

Can you tell us about your role here at Sarafan ChEM-H?

One of the highest priorities in my role is managing the calendars for leadership, helping them stay organized, on track, and well-prepared. Another key priority, which I learned on the job, is processing employment visas. I still remember the first time I was so overwhelmed, but now it has become second nature. It was quite the evolution. Day-to-day, I handle logistics that keep things moving, whether it’s coordinating travel, financial tasks, and meeting management, so people get to focus on the bigger picture.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Connecting with other people and getting to know them. We are all working toward the same goal of advancing human health. I like helping others stay organized. It's fun problem solving. And I just like knowing that I’m helping move things along smoothly.

Tell us about a project you really enjoyed working on.

One thing I'm really enjoying still is being involved in the Stanford Administrative Champions group or SAC, which is a multi-department initiative that supports and strengthens the administrative community across Stanford. It’s nice because it means I’m connecting with other admins. Not every job gives you the opportunity to connect with someone who's in your same role and has similar experiences. 

I also mentored someone for the first time as a part of this group. And now I have a second mentee, who is in her early career, with whom I’ve connected over our common love for travel and learning about all things AI in the admin space. It's just great to get to meet and work with these people, and I learn as much from them as they learn from me.

Do you have a favorite spot to relax on campus?

My favorite place to get away for a few moments are the orange chairs upstairs on the second floor of the ChEM-H / Neuro research complex. On rainy days especially, I love positioning myself by the windows with a book or my lunch, just watching the weather. It's a nice little escape from the work routine. And it’s easier than trying to walk across campus to one of the beautiful gardens.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Since my kids are grown, my time revolves around my husband, our pets, and simple pleasures I love the most. I love reading. I also like being by the coast. Right now, I'm kind of going through a phase where I'm enjoying collecting seashells. I love visiting new places, so I try to do that often. It doesn't have to be far away or exotic, just somewhere that’s a nice change of pace. 

Do you have a favorite place you like going to time and again?

One of our favorite places is Hawaii. We like staying on the water so we can listen to the waves washing ashore and relax. It’s incredibly restorative. I love the ocean, but I was afraid to be in it. But with my husband, I learned to go snorkeling. Now we’re out there in that perfectly warm water swimming with the fish and turtles.

That’s beautiful. Final question: what's the best piece of advice you've ever received?

My current favorite is: “Do it scared but do it mindfully.” For me, it's about recognizing that being uncomfortable doesn’t mean I should hold back. The definition of courage isn't not being afraid; it's taking action despite being afraid. I've always liked that, and that distinction has shaped how I approach challenges these days.