Up Close With the Student Dean

Student Dean Pat Russell Tackles Problem Solving,
Advocacy and Diversity

Antioch Seattle's first Student Dean Pat Russell says she likes to think of Antioch as a mosaic that's only complete when you include students, faculty, staff and administration.

A graduate of Antioch's B.A. in Liberal Studies completion program and a current student in the psychology doctoral program, Russell has a long history of service to the Seattle community and to Antioch.

"Antioch is more grounded in community than other universities," she notes. "It's important we recognize the strengths of our community, how we interact in community and what we bring to our community."

A dean's position filled by a student is uncommon in higher education. Russell, named to the position in late 2007, serves on the academic dean's leadership team and will meet regularly with the university president's team. Academic Dean Ormond Smythe says no other institution of higher learning has a position quite like Russell's.

"Antioch Seattle has undertaken this initiative in an effort to increase dramatically the involvement of students in all aspects of campus life, and to assure the greatest possible responsiveness to student needs and concerns among campus administrators, staff and faculty," Smythe says.

Russell says she sees her job as student dean as a good place to practice all aspects of community.   

"Working with diverse groups of people and individuals taught me how to listen to others respectfully and celebrate our differences," she notes. "I see myself as a guide to help students on their journey."

Problem solving and advocacy, according to Russell, are key aspects of the student dean's job.

"It's important to make sure student voices are heard," she emphasizes. "Students should be told respectfully what decisions are made and how they're made."

Open forums within each of the academic centers are among Russell's other top initiatives. "I want to meet with students and talk about the issues that concern them," she says.

Increasing diversity among students is another of her goals.

"We must do better than merely reflect the diversity in the Seattle/Tacoma area," Russell says. "We should be leaders. In addition to recruitment, I would like to identify what can be done to support students of color once they get here. Diversity enriches all of us."

Antioch Seattle President Cassandra Manuelito-Kerkvliet says an objective under her leadership is to create greater access for students who may never have believed they could be part of Antioch.

"The student dean post is a progressive step in that direction," Manuelito-Kerkvliet notes.

Cultural and anti-bias education, infant mortality, family mental health, domestic violence, welfare reform, substance abuse awareness and youth and family services are all part of Russell's range of expertise.

She also works with the Seattle/King County Department of Public Health Infant Mortality Outreach Project on a research project examining the connections between racism and stress on women of color of childbearing age.

She was a single mom who wanted to make the great American movie when she studied visual and applied communications at Seattle Central Community College in the late '80s. But with two daughters to care for and the uncertainty of a career in filmmaking, she found herself pursuing work in nonprofit administration and grant writing.

"I found myself moving further and further away from working with people," she describes.

In 2002, as soon as her daughters were grown and on their own, she entered the B.A. in Liberal Studies program at Antioch Seattle and completed her bachelor's degree in psychology with an emphasis on women and families. She expects to complete her Psy.D. in Psychology by fall 2008.

In her nonprofit and public sector positions, she has done considerable work with women and children. "I bring not only my own experience as a single mom but also working with other single moms to my role as student dean.

"I'm good at helping others identify their strengths. You don't realize how strong you are when you carry the weight of the world. You don't have to shoulder that weight all the time. I see myself as a guide to help you on your journey. I can provide internal and spiritual strategies to help you heal, when necessary."

To learn more about Pat Russell, visit her Student Dean Bio.

Back to Previous Page