Who Will LeadGustavus ACTS
It takes a village to manifest a vision. Here are just a few of the Gustavus leaders who are moving us from dreaming to doing.
Brenda Kelly
Provost and Dean of the College
Excited about: The vision calls all of us to action. Gustavus faculty, staff, administrators, and students have a role in living into the vision statement and making that vision a reality.
Impressed by: the way the plan stretches us to reach beyond the Gustavus community on the Hill to extend into the local, regional, and global community, and the way it allows our external partners to reach in.
“This is not a plan for the academic program or student life or advancement; this is a plan for all of us, and all members of the community are engaged.”
Kathi Tunheim
Vice President for Mission, Strategy, and Innovation
Impressed by: the fact that this plan is more focused and concise than past strategic plans at Gustavus and others I have seen at colleges and universities.
Already in progress: The faculty has worked diligently this past summer and fall to critically review our curriculum and infuse it with new ideas.
“We are going to stay rooted and committed to being a college of the ELCA, which positions us well to be a leading institution in helping address the great challenges of the world.”
Jesús Hernández Mejía
Dean of Financial Aid
Excited about: Making Gustavus more affordable. What a difference the new scholarships make, particularly in our number of students from historically underrepresented groups.
Impressed by: Our good job communicating with students during COVID-19, the quick decision to reimburse students their room and board when the campus closed to most students, our ability to loan computers. It showed Gustavus really cares.
Will need: To keep our scholarships going so that students can focus on getting a Gustavus education that will prepare them for the world.
“A lot of the direction we get comes from our students. We will be more of what our students want us to be.”
Tom Flunker
Director, Center for Inclusive Excellence
Excited about: The fact that we are on our toes, looking for ways to get better.
Impressed by: How the goals for President’s Council for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are infused into the strategic plan. It holds us accountable.
Will need: Support that addresses the bigger constructs affecting historically underrepresented student groups. Scholarships don’t relieve all of the pressures of college life.
“Are we going to back off of diversity, equity, and inclusion endeavors when it’s no longer convenient? We need our students and alumni to keep being vocal.”
Tami Aune ’82
Chief Technology Officer
Excited about: Every single classroom experience is unique. How do we find tech solutions that support that rich and diverse learning environments?
Will need: Obviously funding and budgeting is a challenge. So is finding and retaining excellent staff.
In progress: Using the lessons of COVID-19 to make sure people have the tools and resources they need to provide accessible teaching, working, and learning environments.
“We love change, we live for change, for the challenge of a constantly evolving environment.”
Curt Kowaleski
CFO, Vice President for Finance, and Treasurer
Excited about: Lund Center and all the benefits the Gustavus community will get from it.
Impressed by: This well-defined strategic plan and the many ways we keep it alive. This is what we need to do to make Gustavus as vibrant and great as we want it to be.
In progress: Agreeing on what the top priorities are and allocating resources to fund them.
“We need to keep an eye on the long-term success of the College.”