“Many of our graduate students would say that Debbie Wysomierski is the reason they are in our programs,” says Jeff Van Duzer, dean of the School of Business and Economics (SBE). “Debbie leads our marketing efforts, hosts our monthly open houses, counsels with prospective students and does a myriad of other things. She sets extremely high standards and holds herself (and the rest of us) to them. She is the face of our MBA and ISM programs and a wonderful, cheerful and compassionate advocate for our students.”

In her 12 ½ years of service, Debbie Wysomierski, Assistant Graduate Director for SBE, has come to understand what makes SPU’s graduate program distinctly appealing. “We find we’re successful if we can bring prospective students to campus where they can meet staff and faculty and hear about the program one-on-one. We don’t use big group sessions. If we give them personalized attention, once folks have the exposure to us and get to meet us, it makes a significant difference. They appreciate that they are treated as individuals and not as part of a cattle call.”

She brings this emphasis on personal relationship to her work of recruiting graduate students. She’ll do whatever it takes: “Everything short of driving to their house to pick them up to bring them to class! I will work with prospective students right up to five minutes before the class starts. I have it down to an art and a science.”

Debbie is beside every student that enters the program from the time they first inquire to the time they put on that commencement cap and gown. “I can think of a few in the program that I worked with for a year or more before they made that final step of applying. Sometimes it just takes some extra support. When I get an application from someone who has been diligent in updating me on what they’re doing, I can give the graduate committee extra background on that person — that application is more than just papers and details.”

One student in particular stands out in her mind this year. “Brown Thompson must have tried for three years to find financial support. He’s from Liberia. If you ever listen to his testimony of his life — Liberia is in civil upheaval — his perseverance is just an amazing story. For three years he kept his faith in God, that God was going to help find supporters who would enable him to pay for his education. His faith was incredible. He’s just about done with the MBA.”

“Debbie has been a great counselor,” says Thompson. “In the midst of those difficult times, Deb's letters to me were encouraging. They had some assurance of hope. She takes personal interest in people. She helped when I was faced with difficult choices in selecting my courses after my admission. She makes time to meet people regardless of her busy schedule.” He adds: “I have never seen her frown.”