...Dean of Students Linda Lazzell
Published July 01, 2003
Official Title
Dean of Students
How long have you been at UAA?
Almost 22 years in a number of Student Affairs positions. I am currently
the senior student affairs officer at UAA and lead the division
of Student Affairs, which has six departments and provides advising
to student government, student media, student clubs and Greek organizations.
What have you taught at UAA?
Student Affairs staff and faculty engage in student learning outside
of the class all the time. I have also taught courses for credit
in student leadership and weight lifting and have been a guest lecturer
in a number of other courses.
What do you currently teach?
I do not currently teach any courses. I am involved with developing
and reviewing curriculum for GUID 150 Survival skills for college
students that can be taken as an elective.
Born and raised?
I was born at Fort Campbell, Ky., which is an Army base. My father
was in the Army so we moved all over the United States and the world
while I was growing up. I ended up in Alaska as a sophomore in high
school, graduating from Dimond High School.
Where did you go to school? What was your major?
I received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University
of Utah. I received a master’s degree in counseling psychology
from the University of La Verne. I am a licensed professional counselor
in the state of Alaska and I am currently pursuing a doctorate in
counseling psychology from Argosy University, Sarasota in Florida.
What was your worst or most
interesting job as a student?
My best job while I was a college student was working as a professional
skier and a freestyle ski coach. I did not really have a worst job.
I learned something of value from each job. However, after being
a maid and a server at a Japanese restaurant I became more determined
to finish my bachelor’s degree so I would have more options
available to me.
Tell us about your family. Do
you have children? What are their names and ages?
I came from a small family, two parents and a sister. My parents,
sister and niece are all wonderful, funny people. We are all encouraging
and supportive of each other. I got married last December to Dr.
Herb Schroeder who is an associate professor of Engineering at UAA
and the director of the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program.
So, I now have two children Niall, 14, and Collin, 20. Living with
the Schroeder family has added a whole new dimension to my life
that is fun, challenging and very fulfilling.
Do you have pets? What kinds
and what are their names?
Yes, lots now. Before I got married, I had a 60 pound red-haired,
husky-like dog that I got from the pound named Banshee and two 16
pound indoor cats named Bucky and Paco, that were also from the
streets. When I got married I inherited three frogs (no names),
two birds (no names), two very old box turtles named Mike and Don,
one 9 pound Tibetan Llasa Apso named Animal, three outdoor cats
named Indy, Nala and Zippo. The most recent addition is an American
Llasa Apso that Herb found abandoned last year. I guess you can
see an “adopting homeless animals” theme here.
Favorite movie(s)?
I have always loved watching movies so it is hard to say which one
is my favorite. “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?” was a
great film. I can watch “It’s A Wonderful Christmas,”
“Sleepless in Seattle” and “The Matrix”
over and over. So, they must be my all time favorite movies. I also
enjoy watching movies by independent filmmakers, international films
and old, classic films.
Favorite music or artist?
Van Gogh is probably my favorite dead artist. My best friend Clemencia
Amaya Merrill, who works as a graphic artist in ISER, is my favorite
living artist.
I saw the Spin Doctors the other night and my ears are still ringing!
They are great musicians, though.
Favorite food?
Pizzas or salads from Moose’s Tooth Restaurant, Tiramisu from
Orso’s, grilled salmon that Herb caught, “original”
Swedish fish candy, Haribo gummi bears or any kind of good dark
chocolate. The last three are not really food, but I like to eat
them.
Favorite book?
There have been so many books that have impacted me at crucial times
in my life. Recently, the two books that have had a significant
impact on me are Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search
for Meaning” and Irving Yalom’s “Existential Psychotherapy.”
Even though these books were written quite a while ago and they
deal with death issues, there is much wisdom contained within them
to guide a person toward living a meaningful life.
Favorite Alaska activities?
That’s a tie between downhill skiing and mountain biking.
I like sea kayaking, too.
Hobbies?
See above plus hiking, rollerblading and traveling.
List three things that your
students would be surprised to know about you.
I have been asked this before and so that spoils the surprise element
for some people. I wanted to be an astronaut at one time. Instead,
I took up competitive freestyle skiing, which got me up in the air
at times. That’s two things. I’ll leave it at that as
I don’t want to reveal all my secrets!
If you could have lunch with
any three people, living or dead, who would they be and why?
I had a great aunt who was/is a semi-famous artist that I would
like to have known. Blanche Lazzell was a strong, independent woman
who had to leave the country for a while to live her life and make
her art. Even though she is no longer alive, her artwork still appears
in museums and art galleries around the country. I would like to
have lunch with John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., to hear
their thoughts on civil rights matters and visions for humanity.
If you won the lottery, what
is the first purchase you would make?
I would donate a significant portion of the winnings to nonprofit
organizations that assist people in crisis or transition. I know
that sounds like a pat answer but I really mean it. With the remaining
money, I would buy a big piece of property within a 30-mile radius
of Anchorage that I could keep as my family’s retreat to nature.
If you could take a class from
any other department at UAA, what would it be and why?
There are too many fascinating faculty here at UAA for me to decide
which would be the ONE class I would take. Of course, Professor
Emeritus Ron Crawford is many people’s favorite professor
and I would love to take a class from him, too. Ron and I go back
to the days when there were all-night horror movies in the Campus
Center.
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