Ann Huff Stevens
Dean of All Trades: Ann Huff Stevens on her career journey, COVID-19, and LACS
By Jacqueline Magno | Social Media Intern
January 20, 2021
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As a woman who has succeeded in multiple leadership roles throughout her career, Ann Huff Stevens is a role model for Liberal Arts students on The Forty Acres. But similar to many undergraduates, the Dean of The College of Liberal Arts had no idea the jobs she would have when she first entered university.
Originally from Corpus Christi, Stevens studied at American University in Washington D.C., where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Economics and Political Science. After graduation, she helped perform research alongside multiple experts in her field. Stevens said these experiences informed her decision to pursue a graduate degree.
“As I went through my undergraduate studies, my professors started telling me, ‘These professor jobs are really great; have you ever thought about getting your PhD?’ I didn’t go to graduate school right away, but I did use my bachelor’s degree at a think tank, where I worked with people who had PhD’s in economics and were conducting policy research. That really convinced me to move forwards with my PhD program because I loved their work.”
Inspired by individuals in both her academic and professional life, Stevens earned her PhD from The University of Michigan and began teaching at college campuses across the country. From the hallowed halls of Yale University to the sunny sidewalks of UC Davis, she gradually shifted her interests from teaching to administrative work.
“While in California, I took on leadership roles during some really difficult budget times,” Stevens explained. “Universities needed leaders who were champions for their institutions, and I saw a chance to contribute.”
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“I wrote a large grant with my colleagues to launch an interdisciplinary research center studying poverty in the U.S.,” Stevens recalls. “We built the center not just with economists—but with psychologists, law students, and medical faculty. It really exposed me to the breadth of UC Davis and leadership across disciplines, and that’s when I first started thinking about a Dean position.”
After furthering her career as an Interim Dean at UC Davis, Stevens returned to Texas and became the Dean of The College of Liberal Arts at UT Austin. When asked about what she does in a typical day, she smiled.
“I do a lot of extreme multitasking,” she answered honestly. “I meet with various leadership teams, either within COLA or the university itself, and we grapple with whatever current issues are going on around campus.”
Educating students during the COVID-19 pandemic remains the most pressing issue in The College of Liberal Arts, Stevens said.
“We’ve emphasized the importance of flexibility to our COLA faculty,” she explained. “If things are looking much better in March, we ask that they’re able to plan some socially-distanced, in-person meetings. Nevertheless, we're still taking it week-by-week and assessing the public health situation.”
Stevens urges students to remain hopeful and patient this upcoming semester.
“These past few weeks have been optimistic because of vaccine availability, so we do see the light at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately, it’s still a long tunnel,” she admitted. “We still have to get through a few more months of this before we can all be safely back in person.”
She also advises students to look after themselves should burnout occur.
“Be kind to yourself. Turn off Zoom when you can, go outside, and interact safely with others. It’s not easy functioning this way, and it’s important that we give ourselves a break every now and then.”
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While away from the Dean’s office, Stevens enjoys exploring the outdoors and cooking with her family.
“We’ve only been in Austin for a year and a half, so we’re trying to go outdoors and explore the city as much as possible,” she explained. “We also have a bunch of passionate cooks in my family, so we’re often in the kitchen trying new recipes and arguing over how to prepare them properly.”
As the Dean of The College of Liberal Arts, Stevens encourages students to take advantage of the unique career opportunities COLA has to offer.
“Throughout your time in COLA, you should be checking in with Liberal Arts Career Services. Whether you’re really confused about what you’re going to do after graduation, or you have a clear idea and want to figure out how to get there—they can handle any situation.”
She also reminds students to keep in mind the long-term benefits of a Liberal Arts degree.
“The Liberal Arts prepares you for a full career, not an individual job,” she said. “These courses will help you improve your writing, think critically, and interpret things from a different culture. So while your first job may not be everything you’ve always imagined, you’ll have the skills to move up in the organization or embark on a new path. No matter where you go, you’ll have everything you need.”
To kickstart your career and set your professional goals for 2021, be sure to visit Liberal Arts Career Services and schedule an appointment with a career counselor today.