'Two remaining men': Female leaders become majority at Duke schools

"It is remarkable, and it’s a lot of fun, actually," said Mary Klotman, dean of the School of Medicine.

"I’m just looking forward to kind of different conversations that are going to occur at deans cabinet," said Paula McClain, dean of the Graduate School.

The longest serving of the three, McClain said Duke had a slow start. She also was the first black dean at Duke when she was appointed in 2012.

"It was like, do you really want to make a lot of hoopla about this when our peers have already done it? But it really did mark a major transition," she said.

Klotman is what Duke lovers proudly describe as a "quadruple Dukie," having earned her undergraduate and medical degrees there, as well as completing a fellowship and her residency there. Rising through the ranks of leadership, she was also the first female department chair.

"I did love the fact that I was the first female picture that went on the wall. I was very very proud of that," she said.

Judith Kelley, dean of the Sanford School of Public Policy, is the newest appointee, but she also rose through the ranks, serving as assistant dean for five years.

"Having eight out of 10 deans is probably pretty normal if the world is operating in a balanced way. It's not that odd, actually," Kelley said.

All three credit Provost Sally Kornbluth for simply looking for the best candidates to lead Duke's various schools, regardless of gender.

"I think that's something I learned from Sally," Klotman said. "That is the focus: excellence."

"You go out for national searches and you give the direction that you want the best people, and that’s what happens," McClain added.

The path hasn't been smooth sailing.

"We have not arrived yet," Kelley said. "This is not the time to relax. Women continue to face so many uphill battles."

Pay equity, how female teachers are evaluated in the classroom and equal recognition for academic work are some of the issues that still need to be addressed, they said. Still, they recognize that they represent a culture shift.

"You'll find many women with great potential talk themselves out of it, so that continues to be my message is you can do it, and I can help you figure out how to do it," Klotman said.

The deans said they look forward to tackling new challenges together, along with their male colleagues – with maybe just a tease or two.

"Maybe we can critique the dress of the men, the two remaining men," McClain said with a laugh.