A successful career in student leadership at Michigan State University just might lead to a dean of students position at the University of Wisconsin for Timothy Gordon.
While an undergraduate and masters student at MSU, Gordon said he was asked by several members of the university’s staff to consider a career in education.
“That bug hit me,” Gordon said.
A native of Detroit, Gordon became the first member of his family to go to college.
After graduating from MSU and completing his masters work there, Gordon went to Illinois State University to receive his doctorate.
Gordon then went on to hold positions at MSU, Columbia College in Chicago and ISU before finally taking over his current role as dean of students and registration in the School of Continuing Studies at Northwestern University.
Gordon currently lives with his partner and has a 3-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son.
As for his philosophy on higher education, Gordon said college is a time to explore and be challenged.
“One of the most critical pieces is having the opportunity to really explore and develop one’s interest and passion, related to either the major [they’d] like to [study], or at least the opportunity to understand what they’re passionate for,” Gordon said. “Professionals play a key role in making sure collaborations exist to make sure that happens.”
As an African-American student, Gordon said faculty members made sure he was connected to the campus and challenged him to build upon what he already learned.
Gordon said he plans on becoming familiar with the culture in Madison and would continue to support the extensive diversity plan as UW’s dean of students.
“Over my career I’ve worked at large and mid-size institutions and had the opportunity to work with exciting and diverse teams to achieve goals in providing high quality educational experiences,” Gordon said. “I’d like to continue to build on the rich history and the Wisconsin idea, and support the very diverse student populations.”
Growing up in the relative isolation of Maine, Brian Rose experienced a bout of culture shock when he moved away to school.
And if all goes according to plan, Rose could encounter another shift if chosen for the University of Wisconsin dean of students position this spring.
A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Rose said the university opened his eyes to a world of education and society.
Rose relished in the large school environment and said he loved the new lifestyle and foods, such as his first encounter with the bagel.
“Coming from Maine was really exciting,” Rose said. “I met a lot of people that weren’t like me. I remember liking that a lot as a student.”
Rose said he got to see and do a lot of different things after leaving home, as the University of Pennsylvania offered him opportunities to join student organizations and try new things.
Later, Rose attended law school at Georgetown and worked as an attorney in Philadelphia. He then left the life of law and pursued a career in student affairs at Rutgers, the state university of New Jersey.
Rose is married with two children and said he lives an active lifestyle — golfing, skiing and running are among his favorite activities.
The UW dean of students prospect also said no matter where his career takes him, he will always follow his beloved Boston Red Sox.
Entering a program with established programs, Rose said it would be presumptuous to assume he could find and solve all of its problems.
“You want to make sure there are mechanisms in place to make sure students have a voice in decisions,” Rose said. “If they are there, are they working well, and if not, how do we fix it?”
As dean of students, Rose could potentially have control of discipline as well as intimate contact with student organizations around campus.
Along those lines, Rose said students have to keep an eye on why they are attending college in the first place.
“I’m a keep-your-eye-on-the-prize kind of guy, so the goal is always education,” Rose said. “So you always have to apply what happens outside of the classroom to supporting that goal.”
After being asked to the movies by a student during her first teaching job, Interim Dean of Students Lori Berquam decided to change gears and pursue an administrative career path in education instead.
Now, she finds herself vying for the permanent dean of students position at the University of Wisconsin.
Berquam grew up in Minnesota near St. Paul and competed in field hockey and track as she completed her undergraduate degree at Northeast Missouri State University. She received her degree in math and psychology education before earning a master’s degree in college student personnel from UW-La Crosse.
Berquam now lives in Madison with her partner, and their dog and cat.
As assistant dean of University Housing, Berquam said she was exposed to the administrative side of education as well as handling crises.
“There is such a transition in the residence halls — you’re pushing boundaries and learning what you like,” Berquam said. “I got to see students really find their passion, seeing students doing something for the first time, and either loving it or hating it.”
Berquam progressed from the residence hall position to assistant dean, associate dean and interim dean of students.
According to Berquam, Madison provides a unique political stage for students.
“One of the things I appreciate about this campus is that [students] are alive and kicking,” Berquam said. “You keep learning and adding to your knowledge base.”
Berquam said a dean needs to deal with the day-to-day issues of students as well as being visible at campus events. She also said integration of activities outside the classroom is pivotal to the record of UW producing active leaders in such organizations as the Peace Corps.
Another important part of the dean of students position, Berquam said, is understanding university staff and facilitating communications between staff members and students.
“I’d like to work with our faculty to make sure they know what students are coming here with, diversity, inclusion and how to communicate differently with our students,” Berquam said. “Many of our faculty have no idea what a podcast is, and some are already on board.”