Laurie Berry

A strong and connected campus community is built on trust, engagement, and a commitment to student success. This philosophy is at the heart of Dr. Laurie Berry’s work as Dean of Students at the University of Southern Indiana (USI). With over 35 years of experience in Higher Education (HE), Laurie has dedicated her career to fostering environments where students feel safe, supported, and empowered to succeed.

In today’s conversation, Laurie sat down with Jack Eagle, Co-Host of The Interview, to share her insights on building student engagement, fostering civil discourse, and the evolving role of peer-led mental health initiatives on campus.

Laurie’s Journey

Jack: Can we start with a quick introduction to yourself and your institution?

I’m Dr. Laurie Berry, Dean of Students and an adjunct instructor at the University of Southern Indiana. I teach policy in our EdD program within the Pott College of Science and Engineering. USI is located in Evansville, Indiana, in the southern part of the state, and we serve more than 9,500 students across undergraduate and graduate programs. We are one of the six largest universities in Indiana, and we are proud to be a Carnegie Foundation Community Engagement University. Even though we’re one of the younger universities in the state – founded in 1965 – we are deeply committed to supporting our students and encouraging them to engage in their campus community, as well as on regional, national, and even global levels.

Jack: What inspired you to pursue a career in HE?

I absolutely loved my undergraduate experience, but I stumbled into Student Affairs somewhat by accident. My parents asked me to get a job during my junior year, and I applied for a night clerk position on campus – even though I had never stayed up all night before! I got the job, and it was through that experience that I first learned about Student Affairs. From then on, I knew I wanted to give back to students in the same way that others had supported me. I once told my parents: “I love college so much, I’m never leaving!” They replied: “We’ll pay for four years, and then you’ll have to figure it out.” So, I found a career where I could stay!

Jack: A big focus in Student Affairs is fostering a positive and unified campus environment. How are you engaging students and helping them build a sense of belonging?

The answer to this has evolved, especially given the current political climate. We’ve always known that Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is essential for student success – if students don’t feel safe and secure, they can’t excel in the classroom. While I think our students generally feel safe on campus, they are still searching for spaces where they truly belong.

To address this, our office has been reimagining physical spaces to create welcoming environments. We’re designating an area where students can work on their laptops and print papers, as well as creating a living room-style space in our office for informal conversations. Traditionally, the Dean of Students’ office is seen as a place for conducting meetings, almost like the principal’s office. But we want to change that perception. We strive to be the place students come when they don’t know where else to go – a hub for guidance, support, and connection.

Jack: There’s been a lot of discussion lately about free speech and civil discourse on campus. How do you encourage students to engage with differing perspectives in a positive way?

We role model the behavior we expect from students. Our approach is to promote civil engagement – especially during politically polarized times – so that students feel empowered to express themselves while also respecting others.

We have a campus creed that encourages students to learn from differences and treat others with respect, but that’s just words on a page unless we put it into action. One example: last spring, we had a protest on campus where counter-protesters also gathered. We had staff present to facilitate dialogue, and what we saw was incredible – students engaged in meaningful conversations, listened to one another, and felt heard. The student newspaper even wrote about how civil and constructive the event was. In an era when protests can often become contentious, ours served as a model for productive discourse.

Jack: We often hear that getting students to engage in extracurricular discussions can be a challenge. How do you approach this?

Before the pandemic, we saw high student engagement, but now, many students are balancing academics with work and other commitments. One strategy that has worked well is leveraging social media and casual settings – conversations that happen over meals, in residence halls, or online tend to be more engaging than formal workshops.

We’ve also seen an increase in participation in housing-led programs since the pandemic. Timing is key – students today have different schedules, and we’re still figuring out the best times for events. A decade ago, anything scheduled between 6 PM and 9 PM would draw a large crowd; today, that’s not always the case. We have to be flexible and find new ways to meet students where they are.

Jack: Mental health remains a major focus of Student Affairs. How are you supporting student well-being on campus?

Mental health has been a priority even before the pandemic, but we’re seeing an increased need for 24/7 support. Many crises happen outside traditional office hours, so we’ve implemented TimelyCare, a service that gives students access to mental health support at any time. Their peer-led initiative allows students to connect with trained peer supporters, which can be especially helpful for managing test anxiety or stress.

Additionally, our Counseling and Psychological Services department is expanding peer support groups – small groups where students can discuss challenges in a supportive environment. We’re now looking to scale these groups across academic colleges, so students in similar fields can build peer networks that offer both social and academic support.

Jack: Finally, what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received in your career?

Early in my career, my Dean told me, “On any campus, things get done through relationships, not just titles.” That advice has stuck with me. When you’re asking for something or need support, it’s always easier when you’ve built a relationship first.

I also live by the Maya Angelou quote: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” This is especially important in my work. Sometimes, I meet students under difficult circumstances, but my goal is always to ensure they leave feeling heard, supported, and respected. That personal connection can make all the difference.