Dr. Lois Trautvetter

Biography

Lois Calian Trautvetter is the Program Director for the Higher Education Administration Policy Program (MSHE) at Northwestern University and a Professor in the School of Education and Social Policy. The MSHE program is dedicated to preparing dynamic and reflective leaders for colleges, universities, governmental agencies, and consulting firms in the realm of postsecondary education. With over twenty years of experience as an administrator, faculty member, and researcher, Trautvetter's research interests primarily focus on the experiences of undergraduate and graduate students, as well as postdoctoral fellows and faculty in STEM disciplines, particularly in engineering, astrophysics, and data science. Her studies investigate the factors and practices that influence the recruitment and retention of women, BIPOC students, and faculty, alongside themes like mentoring, collegiality, work expectations, and both professional and personal stressors. Trautvetter is well-regarded for her insights into career development, professional development issues, faculty productivity, and the enhancement of teaching and research methods, alongside fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and faculty-student interactions. Throughout her career, she has successfully garnered multiple grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Simon Foundation, the John Templeton Foundation, and the Lilly Endowment Inc., and has authored various publications aimed at improving undergraduate and graduate education.

Research Interests