Bryn Athyn College Alumni Magazine Spring/Summer 2017 | Page 37

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Kiri with Victoria Chareczko at graduation.
and how to wield power reinforces
her goals to bring education into
every aspect of student life at Bryn
Athyn. Student life staff members
also appreciate this approach, as it
creates a supportive and nurturing
environment for their profession-
al development. Director of resi-
dence life, Jenny Lucas, says, “Kiri
was always good at talking to me
about my goals. She always found
opportunities for me to try some-
thing new or take on responsibil-
ity that would help me develop the
right skill set for where I was go-
ing.” Athletic director Matt Ken-
nedy, says, “I really loved working
with someone who was willing to
walk with you. Kiri left room for
me to solve problems and make
decisions, but was always there for
guidance. I have had a few ‘aha’
moments when I see a solution
and realize that Kiri was letting me
get there in my own way the whole
time.”
Kiri tries to ensure that her
staff feels heard, valued, and able
to grow. She tries to create a liv-
ing and learning environment
for the students where they also
feel supported in these ways. In
short, much of Kiri’s work seems
to champion a sense of humanity
within all of the nuts and bolts
and policies and procedures that a
college needs in order to run safely
and run well. Even in the face of
crisis, it’s this human element that
Kiri has found most rewarding in
her job thus far.
Kiri says, “While of course
you never wish for crises to occur,
it is a gift and an expression of love
to be able to be a connector or a
conduit for help in those tough
situations.” And simply due to the
nature of student affairs, there is
never short supply of difficult sce-
narios. From hurricanes to per-
sonal tragedies, Kiri and her staff
have had to adapt, problem solve,
and manage hundreds of hard
situations over the years. Even
so, Kiri maintains, “There really
wasn’t much I didn’t love about
the job. It’s a bit of a calling – you
have to be up for the responsibility
of crises.” She continues, “At Bryn
Athyn College we are small, but
incredibly dedicated and mighty.
There is a true dedication to our
students’ well-being, from remem-
bering to say happy birthday to
intervening during a crisis. The in-
herent, caring nature of the faculty
and staff is a hallmark here, and
it’s truly amazing.”
When complimented or
asked about her experience as
Kiri with her son Colin and Zach Franzen.
dean, Kiri invariably talks about
how wonderful the students and
her staff are, often diverting acco-
lades or praise to those she works
with and for. Turning her atten-
tion to teaching fulltime this fall,
she says, “I feel fortunate to have
been able to teach throughout
my tenure as dean of students,
and now I’m excited to engage
with students on a daily basis and
to develop my courses in more
depth.” Over the years, her classes
have been popular, and she man-
ages to humbly side-step even the
hint of praise for this by saying, “I
teach an interesting subject. With
human behavior, the students are
simply interested already. You al-
ready have their attention, and it’s
yours to lose.”
Kiri’s humble yet highly ca-
pable approach to all that she does
has been a boon to the College in
her role as dean of students. Hap-
pily, the good fortune continues
as she moves into the academic
realm. Kiri says she is looking for-
ward to supporting the new dean
of students in whatever way is
most helpful, and with such deep
and diverse responsibility found in
that office, it is a blessing to have
her guidance and counsel at the
ready. 
B RY N AT H Y N A LU M N I M AG A Z I N E
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