Shaun Crisler taking the wheel for spring leadership opportunity

Shaun Crisler, the college’s assistant vice president for residence life and housing, will set sail -- literally -- on a unique leadership opportunity this spring.

The Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE) announced the appointment of Crisler as the executive dean for the spring 2022 voyage of the Semester at Sea Program.

The executive dean is ISE’s official representative and chief administrator during a Semester at Sea voyage. This position's primary responsibility is to lead the voyage consistent with the institute’s mission in conjunction with the program’s academic partner -- resulting in a successful and safe voyage from January through April 2022.

“I believe that as Student Affairs professionals, we have to continue to find ways to learn and grow along with our students,” said Crisler, who also will remotely continue his Oswego leadership role during that time. 

“Studying abroad for me is more than the destination or the means of travel,” he added. “For me, to lead this voyage represents an opportunity to build my intercultural competence through a shift of my perspective and a shift in my behavior to cultural difference and commonality.”

Sailing on the MV World Odyssey, the Semester at Sea program looks to take more than 500 students abroad through Europe. Students are able to earn credit through the SAS academic partnership with Colorado State University.

"We are pleased to have Shaun serve in this role as the executive dean,” said Bruce Middleton, vice president of operations and risk management for ISE. “Shaun has sailed with us as a student and in multiple leadership positions. Shaun will bring his experience supporting students and his knowledge of our shipboard community to this role.” 

“I want to grow my leadership in a way that allows me to move our institution forward,” Crisler said. “It is not enough to recognize or tolerate differences in our profession. We have to forge a new commitment to honing our knowledge skills, and abilities to effectively bridge the gaps that exist in our culture to create an inclusive environment.”