Southwestern University has partnered with Grupo Salinas and Centro Richard B. Salinas Pliego to create two new scholarships for high school students in Mexico.
Southwestern University rose 13 places inU.S. News & World Report’s 2023Best Collegesrankings—the biggest single-year jump in school history—and SU was also recognized as a top school in the Social Mobility category, which measures how well schools graduated students who received federal Pell Grants.
Fifty years ago, Title IX was signed into law. The landmark legislation transformed women’s athletics. We look back at our history and pioneers as we continue to strive for equity in all we do.
Through the Southwestern Racial History Project, faculty and students are sharing their knowledge and expertise with colleagues through the Universities Studying Slavery consortium.
Southwestern University rose 13 places inU.S. News & World Report’s 2023Best Collegesrankings—the biggest single-year jump in school history—and SU was also recognized as a top school in the Social Mobility category, which measures how well schools graduated students who received federal Pell Grants.
Fifty years ago, Title IX was signed into law. The landmark legislation transformed women’s athletics. We look back at our history and pioneers as we continue to strive for equity in all we do.
Southwestern University rose 13 places inU.S. News & World Report’s 2023Best Collegesrankings—the biggest single-year jump in school history—and SU was also recognized as a top school in the Social Mobility category, which measures how well schools graduated students who received federal Pell Grants.
This initiative was announced in October 2021 as part of a $1 million commitment from an anonymous donor in honor of their mother, a lifelong educator, in order to allow more Southwestern students to benefit from high impact experiences as outlined in the Tactical Plan.
SU celebrates five campus community members with the 2022 Mundy Awards and recognizes those who have achieved milestone anniversaries with the University.
Southwestern University has partnered with Grupo Salinas and Centro Richard B. Salinas Pliego to create two new scholarships for high school students in Mexico.
Through the Southwestern Racial History Project, faculty and students are sharing their knowledge and expertise with colleagues through the Universities Studying Slavery consortium.
Southwestern University rose 13 places inU.S. News & World Report’s 2023Best Collegesrankings—the biggest single-year jump in school history—and SU was also recognized as a top school in the Social Mobility category, which measures how well schools graduated students who received federal Pell Grants.
What happens when you start a devised theater project with three Southwestern University students and the Anton Checkov play, The Cherry Orchard? You end up with a nationally recognized production called G.H.O.S.T. Unit: The Live Event.
Southwestern University rose 13 places inU.S. News & World Report’s 2023Best Collegesrankings—the biggest single-year jump in school history—and SU was also recognized as a top school in the Social Mobility category, which measures how well schools graduated students who received federal Pell Grants.
Fifty years ago, Title IX was signed into law. The landmark legislation transformed women’s athletics. We look back at our history and pioneers as we continue to strive for equity in all we do.
What happens when you start a devised theater project with three Southwestern University students and the Anton Checkov play, The Cherry Orchard? You end up with a nationally recognized production called G.H.O.S.T. Unit: The Live Event.
SU’s Board of Trustees recently conferred emerita status on the beloved associate professor of education, who will be retiring after 28 years with the university.
Associate Professor of Education Sherry E. AdrianHow long have you been working in higher education?
I’ve been teaching in higher education for 33 years—5 years at Austin Community College as an adjunct and 28 years at Southwestern.
What inspired you to pursue a career in higher education?
Originally, I thought I might go into special education administration, but a teaching assistantship in graduate school and adjunct work helped me choose higher education. The primary factor was my enjoyment in teaching and my relationships with college students.
During your years at Southwestern, how has the university changed but also stayed the same?
My first visit to Southwestern was in 1971 as a 10th grader in high school. I came to visit a friend and stayed in a residence hall that no longer exists. The campus has changed with demolition and the development of buildings. Of course, technology has changed how we teach and learn in many ways. The curriculum has changed, though our commitment to the liberal arts has remained. Many faculty and staff have come and gone; I am the only faculty member remaining in my department from when I began at Southwestern. Two things have remained the same for me. First, I have always had the academic freedom to develop my courses as I’ve chosen. I appreciate that tremendously. Second, the students continue to be the best part of Southwestern. I am so grateful for the opportunity to teach and learn with interesting people who make me laugh, question ideas, and help me to keep learning. I believe that I have a better understanding of the world around me through my relationships with my students.
What is something your students or colleagues would be surprised to know about you?
I make myself do things that I’m afraid to do, and I really enjoy alone time. I would much rather have an intimate dinner with someone than go to any party—ever!
When not working, you can find me …
hanging out with grandkids, reading and listening to books and podcasts, and quilting. I hope to travel again once I retire.
If you could have a drink at the Cove with anyone in the world, living or dead, what would the beverage be, who would the person be, and why?
The “who” might seem odd. I’d like to meet the girl I started out becoming before my accident at 11 years old. I look at pictures and wonder what she would have been like without the dramatic change. I don’t want to be her, but I would like to meet her. She used to drink Kool-Aid, but today, we’d have water or a soda.
Describe your dream vacation.
The qualities of a dream vacation to me are having sustained time (at least three weeks), spending time outdoors, being with people I enjoy, and eating in restaurants that are unique to the locale.
If you could choose one superpower, what would it be?
I choose the superpower of invisibility. I could suss out truths and get in and out of places unnoticed. Bring on the invisibility cloak!
“Know the why behind what you believe.”
What advice would you give students today?
Know thewhybehind what you believe. Education is a privilege. So many still do not have the opportunity to go to school, much less college. Don’t waste it. Be trustworthy. This isn’t about covering for your friends or keeping secrets. Trustworthiness is when others know that they can count on you to be present and that you are authentic. Giving—true giving—sometimes requires you do for others when it isn’t easy for you.You are not stuckwith the decisions you’ve made. You can change. You don’t have to live into labels that you’ve been given. You can make amends, and you will be different in 50 years.