In Conversation with Dr. Randie Sessler, Dean of Student Academic Success

We recently sat down with one of our beloved colleagues, Dr. Randie Sessler, who is well known throughout the NDNU community for his wit, his warmth, and his willingness to lend a hand. We hope you are as inspired as we are by his story and vision for student learning success. 

 Tell us a little bit about your background – where you came from and your educational journey. 

I’m originally from Rancho Cucamonga in Southern California, but I have lived all over the country and in England as well. I completed my undergraduate at UC Irvine, and then a master’s at Cambridge on a Prince’s Trust scholarship and then another master’s and Ph.D. at New York University. Most of my academic focus has been in English and American Literature. Not bad for someone who was told early on that his chances for success were limited due to learning differences! 

 From an early age, I struggled with dyslexia, a learning disorder that involves difficulty reading, as well as dyspraxia, which affects physical coordination and movement. In fact, I repeated first grade, having been told by my teacher that I was unable to read nor write.  The second time, I was placed in an after-school peer tutoring program where I worked one-on-one with fifth graders on spelling and all sorts of things.  I didn’t understand it at the time, but it was my first experience with dialogic learning, which helped me learn how to apply different strategies to master concepts. This approach of making learning inclusive, accessible, and varied informs the basis for my work with students in the Academic Success Center. 

What were you doing before you got to NDNU? 

I’ve worked in a variety of different writing environments, from serving as the Writing Center Coordinator at Wallace Community College in Dothan, AL, to being the Co-Director of Writing Program at UC Berkeley where I oversaw 60+ peer tutors. In between, I worked at Azusa Pacific University as the Assistant Director of the Writing Center. All these institutions helped shape my understanding and vision for NDNU’s Academic Success Center.  

What drew you to NDNU? 

It was the opportunity to completely rebuild the Academic Success Center from what it was before that piqued my interest. And what was especially exciting (and challenging) was the prospect of developing all student services as a department of one – yours truly – which ostensibly meant delivering every service that we offered while creating them. It was a bit like staring at the sun, but at the same time, very empowering. It gave me opportunities to think about how one goes about making high-touch, high-quality resources in a space where there’s literally only one person behind the curtain. 

In order to accomplish this goal, I had to change the way I viewed student services by listening to our small, but passionate student body talk about what they wanted and build accordingly. I think it’s very fun to come into a space where you’re constantly building, surveying, responding, and adapting to the current population. 

Since you joined the University two years ago, what are some of the main accomplishments of the Academic Success Center (ASC)? 

When I was hired as Director of the Academic Success Center, there wasn’t much going on, so I was tasked with the revamp. I wanted to provide a one-stop-shop for student support. The ASC provides multiple related services for students, faculty and staff, with wraparound support for a student’s entire collegiate journey … and then some! This includes tutoring, writing support, career services, academic advising and the library. Since then, I’ve been promoted to Dean of Student Academic Success and we’ve expanded quite a bit. We’re now a team of five, plus three student workers in the library.  

In March, we officially opened the new iteration of the Gellert Library. Key changes include extended open hours, three graduate student research support assistants, a quiet work zone, a six-station computer lab, a restored check-out system, a “Sister Spotlight” series featuring items from the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur archives and expanded online resources and tutorials. It’s awesome! 

Are there any Hallmarks that resonate with you? How do you integrate them into the ASC? 

Honestly, they all resonate with me. If I had to choose, I would say three Hallmarks really speak to me and the work that I do every day. They are:  

• We honor the dignity and sacredness of each person. 

• We create community among those with whom we work and with those we serve. 

• We develop holistic learning communities that educate for life. 

I often say that I’m in the business of empowerment. I acknowledge that students who utilize the ASC are doing so in their limited spare time, and so, providing them with the best, most efficient and effective experience, is my way of honoring them. My ultimate goal is for students to leave sessions with the feeling that they can do what they need to in order to succeed. I do this by meeting students where they are, which is challenging, but leading with empathy and good faith, you can achieve wonders.  

What do you do for fun? 

My wife and I live in San Francisco, and we love taking day trips over the Golden Gate, wandering around Marina Green and enjoying the many cuisines offered throughout the Bay Area. I’m also a bit of a Lego afficionado, as students and colleagues know, and known for my unique creations.