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This summer, students Joshua Newman ’25 and Jack Asmus ’27 got to take advantage and be a part of the Bayview Music Festival in Michigan.

Comparative Literature minors explore global texts, cultures, and media across languages (including English). They develop understandings of social, political, cultural, philosophical, and religious functions of literature. Sample courses and career paths here, including journalism, law, and other writing-related careers. 

See the important dates and timeline for room selection for campus housing at Gustavus.

Living on campus is at the heart of the Gustavus experience—close community, vibrant events, and a variety of dorms and apartments make campus feel like home from day one to graduation.

Trombonist/composer/conductor, JC Sanford, is deeply rooted in the traditions of jazz and classical music, yet constantly pushing at their boundaries. He has appeared on more than 40 recordings as a trombonist, conductor, composer, and producer. A long-time student of the legendary Bob Brookmeyer, Sanford has performed as a trombonist alongside the likes of Danilo Pérez, Matt Wilson, Anthony Cox, and Donny McCaslin. A sought-after conductor of new large ensemble music across the world, he conducts the thrice-Grammy-nominated John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble, the Frank Carlberg Large Ensemble, the Alan Ferber Nonet +Strings, John Ellis’ jazz opera Ice Siren, and the Alice Coltrane Orchestra featuring Ravi Coltrane and Jack DeJohnette. He also recently conducted projects with the North German Radio (NDR) Big Band in Hamburg, Germany and Quinsin Nachoff's chamber ensemble in NYC and Toronto.

His compositions and arrangements have been performed by jazz artists such as Dave Liebman, John Abercrombie, Lew Soloff, and Ingrid Jensen, plus non-jazz artists like Japanese koto player Yumi Kurosawa, British singer-songwriter Joy Askew, and Grammy-nominated classical pianist Andrew Russo. His own 2014 JC Sanford Orchestra album Views from the Inside won international acclaim and was awarded the prestigious Aaron Copland Fund for Recording grant. 

Sanford is regularly recognized as a "Rising Star” trombonist DownBeat Magazine’s Annual Critic’s Polls as well as previous acknowledgements in the Big Band and Arranger categories. He has received many grants and awards including a 2018 McKnight Composer Fellowship, grants from the MN State Arts Board to fund recording projects, and a Southeast MN Arts Council grants to help fund the Northfield Jazz Festival. 

Additionally, he directs the Twin Cities Jazz Composers Workshop and curates the International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers (ISJAC) monthly artist blog. JC has had previous teaching positions at the School of Jazz at The New School, Long Island University - Brooklyn, St. Olaf College, LeMoyne College, Luther College, Williams College, and New England Conservatory.

Discover Gustavus Dining Services—daily menus, meal plans, and cafeteria hours, Courtyard Cafe hours, STEAMery hours.

Communication Studies majors/minors learn to be effective communicators, listeners, dialoguers, and creators, exploring how society, politics, and culture influence media. Communication is a top skill employers seek—see sample courses and career paths (such as journalism and public relations).

Kathy Lund Dean holds the Board of Trustees Distinguished Chair in Leadership and Ethics, a position uniquely designed to engage external stakeholders with students, faculty, and program opportunities. This role supports three main strategic focus areas:

1. Increase Gustavus’ national and international footprint through scholarship and high profile recognitions
2. Increase and broaden career readiness through alumni engagement
3. Increase and deepen opportunities for experiential learning for students across campus

Kathy explores experiential education’s impacts on students, learning outcomes, and teaching practice, especially links between student mental health and experiential learning. In managerial practice, she examines remote work and why managers and executives resist remote work so strongly. Last, her partnership with the City of St. Peter and City Council allows her research insights into how municipal leaders prioritize very different constituent issues and resolve serious conflict.

Her scholarship encompasses more than 100 journal articles, book chapters, and books. Books include “The Ethical Professor: A Practical Guide to Research, Teaching and Professional Life” (published both in English and Chinese); "Course Design and Assessment" (2022, Edward Elgar) and "How to Become an Effective Journal Editor in Business and Management A Guide to Developing Authors" (2024, Edward Elgar).

Getting Gustavus' brand recognized outside the United States is a key focus. She won a Fulbright Specialist role to assist institutions under-represented in academic scholarship, an editorial role she will be continuing with the Journal of Management Inquiry. She has worked with business school colleagues at Rikkyo University supported by a Fulbright award, creating an exchange agreement between Rikkyo College of Business and Gustavus. Kathy holds joint appointments at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, and University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

Kathy is passionate about engaging students in learning about investing and markets. She advises student members on the Board of Trustees Investment Committee as well as the E. Terry Skone Investment Club on campus, where students work with large endowments and portfolios and make important decisions. The Skone Club won a Magnuson Leadership & Service Award for its long-term positive impact on learning, outreach, and philanthropy, donating more than $135,000 in scholarship money back to the College. 

Her conflict resolution practice takes many forms. As a certified mediator, a Minnesota Rule 114 qualified neutral, and faculty Ombuds, she helps others talk through and resolve complex issues from an impartial and non-judgmental perspective. At the Academy of Management, Kathy supports ethical practice and manages difficult situations as a member of the Ethics Adjudication Committee and the Ethics Education Committee. 

She is a Chicago native and has lived in seven U.S. states and two countries. Prior to joining the Gustavus faculty, Kathy was Professor of Management at Idaho State University for ten years. 
 

Gustavus Campus Safety is committed to keeping our community safe and supported 24/7 and manages parking permits, ID cards, Safe Rides, and emergency resources.