For Bridgette Glynn, higher education is far more than a series of administrative processes or potential recruits. It is a deeply personal commitment to supporting students and meeting them exactly where they are.
Glynn’s journey to Gustavus reflects a lifelong dedication to the college experience and student success. A graduate of the University of Dubuque in Iowa, where she earned both her undergraduate and master’s degrees in sports management, Glynn immersed herself in campus culture at the start. During her time as a student and graduate assistant, she managed football operations, coached, worked in admissions, and handled equipment management.
“I joke that I can change a face mask on a helmet quicker than most,” Glynn says with a laugh. “It’s a talent that doesn’t show up very often, but I keep it in my back pocket.”
These diverse experiences gave her a deep appreciation for the unseen work that powers admissions and the student experience. After moving to Minnesota with her husband—who coaches defensive line for the Gustavus football team—Glynn joined Gustavus in August 2023, initially as CRM Coordinator before transitioning into her current role as Assistant Dean in early 2025.
“My current role is 100% student facing,” she says. “It’s helping those students, going out and traveling for college fairs and high school visits. They could be an artist, a student-athlete, or not know what they want to do—my job is just to show them how great Gustavus is.”
“I really love that I get the opportunity to meet with students and see the potential in them when they don’t see it in themselves right away. I get to walk through that journey with them,” she adds.
Whether conducting high school visits, leading college essay workshops, or walking families through FAFSA forms, Glynn strives to eliminate stress from the college decision process.
“There’s so much stress and pressure put on students these days. I ask them ‘How can I make your life easier?’ Even the littlest interactions with students can change the course of their lives.”
This spirit of empathy drives her daily work at Gustavus.
“At the end of the day, students are the reason that we’re here,” Glynn says. “My job provides a unique opportunity to learn more about people’s life story, help them create new memories, and flourish.”
