We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marina Carreira a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Marina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about the best boss, mentor, or leader you’ve ever worked with.

I have worked in higher education for over 17 years under the leadership of many great people, but my current boss is the best yet.

Dr. Sancha K. Gray, Senior Vice President of Entrepreneurial Educational Initiatives and Acting Dean for the College of Education at Kean University, has been a profoundly impactful mentor for me as Managing Assistant Director for the Dean’s Office. Dr. Gray’s visionary leadership, commitment to excellence, and unwavering support for both students, faculty and staff created a culture of empowerment and innovation, one where I feel continuously motivated to be the greatest student advocate and cheerleader of educators everywhere.

Dr. Gray leads with clarity and compassion—she sets high expectations but also ensures the tools and mentorship are in place to help others rise to meet them. Personally, I have benefited immensely from her guidance. Whether through one-on-one mentorship, strategic professional development opportunities, or her ability to inspire confidence, she has played a critical role in shaping my growth as an administrator and educator.

Dr. Gray has a unique ability to see potential in others and nurture it through encouragement and actionable feedback. Her presence in the College has been a true blessing; it has not only elevated academic and operational standards but fosters a collaborative, inclusive environment where everyone feels seen and valued.

Under her leadership, I have felt both challenged and supported—an ideal balance that has made me more effective, more thoughtful, more compassionate and more committed to the mission of Kean University.

Dr. Gray is not only a leader in title but in practice, consistently modeling the integrity, excellence, and vision she expects from others, and I am so blessed to co-labor with her.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

As the Managing Assistant Director for the College of Education’s Dean’s Office at Kean University, I am deeply committed to fostering a student-centered, efficient, and supportive academic environment. I go above and beyond to ensure that every student is on the right path—whether that means providing individualized guidance, monitoring academic progress, or coordinating with advisors and departments to remove barriers to success. I take pride in being a reliable point of contact who listens, responds quickly, and takes proactive steps to support students in achieving their academic, and oftentimes, their personal, goals.

Beyond student support, I manage the daily operational systems that keep the College running smoothly. I work diligently to streamline processes, anticipate challenges, and implement solutions that enhance efficiency and service delivery. From scheduling and communications to compliance and logistics, I ensure that nothing falls through the cracks.

Equally important is my support of faculty. I strive to ensure they have the tools, resources, and information they need to excel in teaching, research, and service. Whether it’s coordinating professional development, addressing administrative needs, or responding swiftly to emerging concerns, I view my role as a partner in their success.

I am fortunate to be able to work do this good work with the brilliant assistance and diligent collaboration of my team members, who themselves strive for excellence in all we do, a dedication is due to Dr. Gray’s exceptional leadership.

Under Dr. Gray’s guidance, my goal is to elevate the experience of every stakeholder in the College of Education—students, faculty, staff, and leadership—through dedicated service, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

After 15 years in higher education, I took a leap of faith and pursued a new path in arts administration. As an artist myself, I was eager to align my professional life more closely with my creative passions. In 2022, I left Kean University to serve as the Arts and Culture Manager for a township in New Jersey, where I had the opportunity to develop meaningful cultural programming and support local artists.

While the role was creatively fulfilling, I quickly realized that something essential was missing I missed the energy of academia, the meaningful connections with students, and the shared commitment among colleagues to student achievement. After two and a half years away, I found my way back “home” to Kean University. That return affirmed what I had come to know deep down: higher education is where I belong. It’s the field where my passion, purpose, and professional strengths align, and it’s where I want to continue making an impact for the remainder of my career.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

As the Dean’s Office Manager, I have gained invaluable insight into how to effectively—and compassionately—help lead and support a College, thanks to the exceptional leadership of Dr. Sancha Gray. She has taught me not only to embrace challenges with fortitude and foresight, but also to reframe them as “problem-tunities”—opportunities to transform difficult situations into professional (and sometimes personal) growth experiences. Her consistently calm, cool, and collected demeanor creates a sense of psychological safety; I know I can approach her with any issue or concern, confident that she will guide me with wisdom, patience, and unwavering support.

The advice I would offer for managing a team and maintaining high morale is to lead with empathy, communicate with transparency, and celebrate small wins along the way. Recognizing individual contributions, creating space for honest dialogue, and modeling the behavior you expect from your team fosters trust and mutual respect. It’s also essential to stay grounded in purpose—reminding the team of the “why” behind the work—so that even in challenging times, morale remains rooted in shared goals and values. A team thrives not just on structure and strategy, but on feeling seen, heard, and valued every step of the way.

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