Three Questions with…Katy Collins, Director of Student Outreach and Engagement

This June, the Dean of Students’ office welcomed Katy Collins as our first-ever Director of Student Outreach and Engagement. In this role, Katy will be responsible for nurturing an environment where students with different identities are welcomed, valued, given opportunities to grow, and have influence within Boston University and its communities.

Get to know Katy!

What makes you love working in higher education?

I love providing support so that students can reach their goals. There is so much that goes into providing that support—equipping students with the tools they need to overcome obstacles, dismantling barriers that prevent students from being successful, and affirming their lived experiences. It’s a privilege to be able to support students as they come into their own.

What is your most memorable career experience?

My most memorable career experience is one that occurred during my first year as a professional staff member. I worked with three colleagues to establish Queer PRIDE week—a week of social and educational programs. The college I was working at had a significant queer population, and while the environment was welcoming, most of the programming was conducted by students. This week gave students a chance to celebrate without having to do the event planning or content creating and showed the students that they were supported by the staff and faculty.

In the words of Dean Elmore, what are you enjoying this summer? (Can be a book, a TV series, a movie, a song…)

There is nothing better than sitting in the sun and reading a book. I am currently reading Marlon James’ Black Leopard, Red Wolf, and it is such a lush, evocative narrative that I can get lost in it for hours.