Monday, March 10, 2025

Dusty Persinger, M.A., Associate Director of New Student Experience, Tippie College of Business Undergraduate Program, University of Iowa

Dusty Persinger headshot

1. Please describe your role on campus.

I serve as the Associate Director, New Student Experience at the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business. I academically advise students and oversee a new course launching, Fall 2025. The course provides a solid foundation for Tippie College of Business students by helping them learn about opportunities; understand degree requirements; practice academic, personal, and professional skills; and build relationships.

2. How do you lead and interface with mental health and well-being on your campus?

There are three main ways my work involves mental health and well-being:

  1. Academically advising students: I work with students one-on-one to learn about their successes and challenges in college and help them determine next steps to reach their goals. These conversations include being empathetic and supportive of students and referring them to appropriate resources such as for mental health and well-being. 
  2. Course supervision: A part of the Fall course incorporates mental health and well-being to help students have resilience tools for overcoming challenges in their college journey and career preparation. For this content, I collaborate with Tippie’s wonderful Embedded Therapist, Kati Schneider!
  3. Co-directing the Obermann Center for Advanced Studies working group Reconceptualizing the Mental Health Crisis in Higher Education: A Mindful Journey: The group includes members from a variety of offices and different campus roles. I was first a member of this group for two years prior to becoming co-director. The conversations and camaraderie were so meaningful and helpful to me, and I am excited to give back to the group as co-director this year.

3. Would you share a story where you were concerned about something or someone, and the steps you took that either helped and/or left you considering how you would do it differently?

In an early phase of my career, a student was sharing something with me about a challenge they were facing, and I replied with the phrase “I’m sorry you feel that way.” Immediately, I saw the student’s face change with hurt I had just caused. The phrase and tone I used put blame on the student’s feelings/reaction rather than recognizing the situation they were in was tough. It was the first time I clearly saw the painful impact of words I said. I wish I had used a different phrase that was effective at showing care, and that I had showed up to that meeting as a better listener and helper. I have since learned the positive impact of simply being present with someone, listening, and validating them including using phrases such as “It sounds like a really difficult time.” 

4. Could you tell us about one high point and one low point in your work?

  • High Point: Utilizing best practices to create courses for student success and incorporating undergraduate peer mentors! I am passionate about creating classroom environments that are welcoming, intentional, and effective to help students get the most out of the course and their college experience.

  • Low Point: Complicated systems and limited resources are challenging to navigate. I must do the best I can with the circumstances that currently exist.

5. Is there something which you would like to normalize for others, where they may think they cannot share it?

In some classrooms and workplaces, the person in power (instructor, supervisor) determines what is a “good enough” excuse. A good enough excuse to miss class, get an extension, or miss a work commitment. But people have varying values, interests, or life circumstances. What is a good enough excuse to one person may be different for another. Navigating this is complicated in systems that value productivity and consistency. All this to say, navigating systems is challenging – whether you’re a person who feels like they need to provide a “good enough” excuse to someone to manage class/work and life, or are a person in power who feels pressure to uphold old ways and to provide clear processes for teams while knowing that folks have lives outside of work. A thought-provoking, short article that applies here is Daniel Chambliss’ “Go Ahead, Drop My Course” from the Wall Street Journal – I recommend it!

3 Self-Care Strategies Dusty Swears By

  1. Box breathing. This technique includes inhaling for four seconds, holding for four seconds, exhaling for four seconds, holding for four seconds, and repeating this cycle as needed. No materials are required so it’s available at any time! 
  2. Walking more slowly (or at least not unnecessarily rushing.) I recently noticed I was automatically walking quickly between meetings and when completing tasks. Instead, I now am aware of when I can take my time to utilize walking as a “mindful moment” during the day. 
  3. Get enough sleep. It is difficult for me to compensate for lack of sleep, if compensating is even possible. Enough sleep is foundational for me to have energy and be in a positive mood.