Reetha Raveendran

Higher Education (HE) leaders play a pivotal role in shaping student experiences, fostering community, and preparing the next generation for an ever-changing world. These roles demand a blend of strategic vision, adaptability, and a commitment to student success. 

In this conversation, Dr Reetha Raveendran, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students at Western Michigan University, sits down with Jack Eagle, Co-host of The Interview, as she reflects on her career journey, shares insights into building a thriving campus culture, and discusses innovative approaches to student engagement and wellbeing.

Reetha’s Journey

Jack: Let’s start with an introduction to yourself and your organization

I’m the Associate Vice President and Dean of Students at Western Michigan University, and I’ve been an HE professional since 2002. Western Michigan is a public institution committed to being an all-access university, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to come and learn.

Jack: What has your journey into HE looked like?

My passion has always been teaching. I began my career as an elementary school teacher in Singapore, but after five years, I decided to pursue HE. I came to the US to study Linguistics, and during my senior year at the University of Oklahoma, I discovered HE administration. That discovery led me to join a graduate program, even though I initially intended to return home. Since then, I’ve worked across both Student Affairs and Academic Affairs in institutions ranging from small private liberal arts colleges to large public universities.

Jack: How do you build a positive and safe campus for all students?

Our purpose as HE professionals is to create a holistic student experience that integrates life inside and outside the classroom. Students are constantly engaging, so it’s our role to provide them with the resources they need to thrive in this ecosystem. By addressing their academic needs, supporting their passions, and nurturing their talents, we help prepare them for the future.

Jack: How do you engage with students on civil discourse and create a unified campus?

Universities have a unique role in fostering critical discourse, both inside and outside the classroom. Encouraging students to ask meaningful questions and reflect is essential for their growth. Our role is to create opportunities for this engagement, regardless of the global landscape.

Students today are eager to connect and socialize, so universities must guide them in becoming global citizens. Recently, we signed the Okanagan Charter, an international framework that focuses on promoting health and wellbeing in HE. Mental wellbeing is often the most affected area, and this charter allows us to transform our systems, settings, and campus culture to support students in thriving.

Jack: I’d love to hear more about the key initiatives you’ve been a part of with regard to mental health.

It’s all about removing barriers for our students. One of our key efforts is the Essential Needs program, which includes resources like a food bank and emergency financial assistance. We also launched Broncos. Period. which provides menstruating students with free products, ensuring they never have to miss class due to a lack of access.

We’re also working on rebuilding students’ interpersonal skills, which suffered during the pandemic. For instance, we’ve developed a conflict resolution in the conduct process that brings students together in a controlled environment to discuss issues rather than defaulting to punitive measures. All of these efforts are designed to help students become the best versions of themselves.

Jack: How are you going about educating and engaging students on how to work through these things themselves?

It’s a daily practice, and I don’t work in isolation. As Dean of Students, I represent every student at Western Michigan, and I take that responsibility seriously. I collect qualitative data to understand what’s top of mind for our students and identify ways to remove unnecessary barriers.

One of my special projects is Broncos Ignite!, a leadership program I launched this past fall. This initiative supports 30 student leaders who are nominated by their supervisors. The group meets monthly to explore self-awareness and leadership, fostering peer learning. It’s still foundational, but I hope it grows into a broader program where these students become teachers themselves, spreading leadership skills across our student body.

Jack: What is the best piece of advice you have to give about the sector or your role?

Be you. You are the mapper of your own career, and you have control over your choices. My advice is to ask yourself: Where do I say yes, and where do I say no? What’s the return on investment – not just for yourself but for the impact you’ll have on others? Authenticity is key, but so is recognizing that only you can invest in your growth.