On Thursday, Oct. 31, Ata Karim, vice president of Student Services, announced in an email to the college that the college had hired a new dean of student success. Ana Blackstad will fill the position effective Nov. 18.
In his email, Karim explained, “I am excited that Ana is joining the Bellevue College family. She brings a great resume [and] … Her deep commitment to student success and social justice makes her a great fit with the future direction of the Student Services division.”
Blackstad will be working with directors of the student services, supervising academic advising and working with counselors. Additionally she will serve as the student conduct officer as well as working with the behavior intervention team in order to monitor students’ behavior and progress in school and providing help.
Although Blackstad’s job may sound as if it will not involve much student contact, she wants to make sure that this isn’t the case, instead insisting that she will make an effort to attend events and club meetings.
“Students should be aware of who the dean of student success is simply because every person wants to succeed,” said BC student Jose Bulahan.
But, before Blackstad takes on her new role as BC’s Dean of Student Success, she had one message to the students of BC:
“Even though I work at a college and I have the title of dean, I was a college student once too. I know what it’s like to try and balance school, work and life,” said Blackstad, adding, “I keep that at the forefront whenever I’m making decisions.”