‘It’s a full-circle moment’: Climbing the ladder from student to department chair

Radiologic sciences professor Vesna Balać shares her story, going from a student to a department chair

In the early 1990s, Vesna Balać was navigating the economic collapse and rising tensions in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Today, she navigates the future of healthcare education as the department chair of radiologic sciences at Indiana University Northwest.

Working in healthcare wasn’t always on Balać’s radar. Growing up in Sarajevo, a job in a hospital — or a healthcare setting — was not an attractive option. Healthcare didn’t seem like a good place to work, and political and economic tensions were coming to a boiling point.

“We had essentially all that we needed,” Balać said. “But the conflicts of the 1990s forced us to leave our hometown and move first to Serbia, and finally, to Northwest Indiana.”

In Indiana, Balać enrolled at IU Northwest. She knew she wanted a career where she could help others, and the hospitals in the United States were much more advanced than those she saw in Bosnia. A degree in healthcare seemed like the perfect fit.

“I have always been intrigued by the mechanics of the human body,” she said. “Given my desire to help others, this seemed like an ideal opportunity.”

Balać wasted no time. She earned an undergraduate degree in radiologic sciences and did so while speaking English as a second language and working two jobs.

“As an adult student, I needed to support myself financially,” she said. “I remember waking up each morning and having to figure out whether I needed to get ready for classes at IUN, put on my uniform for clinicals, head to my externship job at Community Hospital in Munster or begin my shift at John’s Pizzeria in Griffith.”

This time was certainly overwhelming, but Balać knows that she’s better for it. She said she learned resilience, time management and perseverance. But most importantly, completing her degree, despite the obstacles, gave her the confidence to handle future challenges.

With that confidence and an IU degree in hand, Balać landed a position as an MRI technologist. Soon after, she was invited back to her alma mater to teach a portion of a course focused on MRI.

“While I felt confident in my technical knowledge, anyone who’s ever stood in front of a class knows that it can be an intimidating experience,” she said. “I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and give it a try.”

When a full-time faculty position opened the next year, Balać didn’t think she would get the job. She was certain there was someone more qualified, someone with extensive teaching experience.

But after encouragement from the outgoing faculty member, Balać applied. She got the job.

“Accepting that role turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I discovered my true passion: teaching,” she said.

Even though Balać had a job in the classroom, she knew there was more to learn. She went on to receive a master’s degree in adult education and a doctorate in instructional systems technology.

“Effective teaching requires more than subject matter expertise,” she said. “A master’s degree gave me valuable insight into how adults learn and how to create meaningful learning experiences. Pursuing an Ed.D. was a natural next step.”

For nine years, Balać happily worked alongside faculty who had once been her professors, but in 2017, she was presented with another opportunity. The radiologic sciences department chair retired, and Balać was promoted to the position.

“Being the department chair for the program I graduated from represents a full-circle moment for me,” she said. “It’s about legacy, growth and inspiring others to see what’s possible when you embrace challenges and pursue excellence.”

Since beginning her teaching tenure at IU Northwest, Balać has had no shortage of accomplishments, and she remains active in her field. She’s served on the board for the American Society of Radiologic Technologists’ journal, presented at national conferences, and co-authored a textbook that is used by programs in the United States, Canada and beyond.

“These achievements make me proud because they reflect how far I’ve come, from a refugee from Sarajevo to an educator, administrator, author and leader in my field,” she said.

Even with so many accolades, Balać is still most dedicated to one thing — her students’ experience. As a first-generation, non-traditional student, she can directly relate to many current IU Northwest students.

“My goal is always to remove barriers and empower students to keep moving forward despite any obstacles that stand in their way,” she said. “Whether it’s balancing work and school, navigating unfamiliar systems or struggling academically, I remind students that they are not alone and that success is possible.”

For someone leaving their home to start over in a new country, success might feel far out of reach. But Balać serves as an example of how each obstacle can actually be a building block toward success, especially if you welcome new opportunities.