‘No Typical Day’
Dean of the College Gus Burkett knows there’s something special about Colby
It didn’t take long for Dean of the College Gustavo Burkett to realize an essential truth about Colby after he began his position in the summer of 2023.
“I don’t know what it is about Colby, but it just grabs you by the heart and doesn’t let you go,” Burkett said. “It becomes a big part of your identity very quickly. It is a special place.”
Before Colby, he worked in leadership positions at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston College, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and the University of Maine, and recently received his doctoral degree in higher education administration from UMass Boston.
As dean of the College, Burkett oversees the student experience, including multicultural affairs; residential life; civic engagement; health and counseling services; international programs; community values and restorative practice; Title IX and sexual violence prevention; religious and spiritual life; and DavisConnects, Colby’s signature program for facilitated and funded research, internship, and global experiences.
It’s a job description with a plethora of moving parts and different people to get to know. It could be an overwhelming task, but Burkett’s multifaceted background in higher education and Colby’s welcome have made it a joy.
With a warm smile and a friendly word for the dozens of people he crosses paths with in the course of a day, the dean is a constant, and welcome, presence around campus.
Q: You’re originally from Argentina, and you came to Maine as a high school exchange student. You loved it here so much you wanted to come back, and did, ultimately earning your bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Maine. Are there ways your own history has equipped you for the role of dean?
A: At the University of Maine, I was a student who was involved in everything: honor societies, student government, one of the fraternities, the Latino student organization, and the international students club. I loved my college experience. As a business major, I didn’t intend to find higher education as a career path. But I am so glad I did! All the things I did as a student and the many mentors I had along the way influenced my career path and my passion for working with students.
It’s been tremendously helpful to pull from my personal experience when talking to students. I can relate to international students very quickly because I experienced many of the issues they face. Things like applying for a visa, money issues, understanding taxes, forms, and all the things that you need to keep up with as an international student. It’s a lot. If you miss one thing, it can have significant consequences regarding immigration, both now and in the future.
My experience has been very helpful while working with students because they know I can relate to them—I lived it. I don’t shy away from sharing my experiences. I’m pretty open about the mistakes I made along the way when I was a student, as well as some of the struggles that I’ve had. Sometimes that’s helpful for students as a way to frame their own experiences. If they know that I faced and overcame some of the same issues, they’ll realize that they can get through it, too.
Q: What does a typical day look like for you?
A: There is no typical day. Days generally start with a schedule that usually gets adjusted along the way because something needs attention. I keep an open-door policy and never say no to a student conversation. I try to the best of my ability to make students a priority. In reality, there are no two days that are the same. I feel that is part of the beauty of my job. It’s challenging, but it also keeps you constantly on your toes. And I thrive in that environment.
Q: What are some of the aspects of working in higher education that you appreciate the most?
A: One of the most rewarding things of my career has been seeing where my former students are now. I know a little bit about some of the struggles they faced—not knowing what their major would be, having a relationship that didn’t work out the way they expected it to, a difficult roommate situation, or even a bad interaction with a faculty member. In the moment, it’s very hard. I get to work with them through these issues, I get to see them grow, thrive, and do amazing things out in the world. I am already experiencing this at Colby as I follow the trajectory of students who graduated just last year. It’s fun and very rewarding to see. It is such a privilege to play a part in the growth and development of these fantastic students. I get to know them, get to know their families, and get to see the difference they make.
Q: How do you keep from getting completely overwhelmed by the scope of your position?
A: I am at school every single day. I knew this role would be much more visible and involved in the day-to-day activities on campus, and I was very excited about that. I didn’t get to do that in my previous roles. At Colby, you become part of the community, so it doesn’t feel like a job. It feels like you’re just a part of how things work.
I try to focus on each interaction, so when meeting someone, I try not to bring what happened before or what will happen after into that space. The same happens when I’m at a volleyball game or a show. I try to be there for the students and present in that moment. Whatever we are meeting about or discussing is the most important thing to them right then, and I do my best to show them I care.
We have a lot of great people at the College. I get to work with an amazing team. The people I work with are talented, professional, and on top of things. I trust that my staff also has students’ best interests in mind. Every area in the Dean of the College Division has its expertise, and I trust that folks are taking care of what they are best at. They are at Colby because they are the best at their jobs, and having such a strong team makes a tremendous difference.
Q: It sounds like your work involves pretty much everyone on campus. How is that going?
A: Oh yes, I feel like I’ve gotten to know a lot of people, a lot more personally perhaps than I have in previous institutions. I think it has to do with the size of the College, but also the type of people who choose to come to Colby. People are genuine and caring. I feel that people here are welcoming and that they are not shy about speaking their minds, which I appreciate. Students come to see me to share positive or challenging parts of their experience at the College. They find reasons to reach out and interact. Sometimes, they are surprised when they see me walk into a space like the dining halls, for example, and they say, “I can’t believe the dean of the College is here!” I love seeing students’ faces light up when I attend their events. I enjoy going to athletic events, art events, and student activities. And there’s always so much going on. It’s so fun to be in all these places.
Q: What are some of the qualities you believe make Colby special?
A: What makes Colby unique is the people. I have not experienced at previous institutions what I have experienced at Colby. At other institutions, it felt siloed. At Colby, everybody knows what’s happening in other areas, and people are curious about what is happening at the College. It feels connected. We’re all part of the same narrative, the same team. I have found that at Colby, people are good humans first, and everything else comes after that. I love that about Colby. Another quality that makes the College unique is the spirit of innovation and creativity. I feel Colby is a place where we explore and create. We have a culture where we face challenges with an open mind and always find innovative solutions to complicated problems. I enjoy that we try new things, learn from mistakes, and work together to get things done. To me, that’s uniquely Colby!
