Barnett named Dean of Students at Finlandia

Erin Barnett has been named Dean of Students at Finlandia University. Barnett has been with Finlandia since September 2013, advancing from Coordinator of Academic Support Services to Director of Academic Success and Student Life in May 2014, before accepting this position in July 2017.

“Working with Erin over the past three years in her director’s role, I have seen much growth in her leadership working with our students and her continued compassion for our students,” said Fredi de Yampert, Vice President of Academic Affairs. “She brings to the Dean of Students position a wealth of experience and vision in building a community that supports educating the whole student.”

Barnett serves many roles at FinnU, including oversight of residential life, academic support, student life, serving as the chief retention officer, director of disability support services and Title IX deputy coordinator. She played a key role in the university’s development of an Alpha Lambda Delta first-year honor’s society chapter, in establishing a relationship with the Cooperative Center for Study Abroad, in landing more than $40,000 of grants for campus sexual assault programs since 2015, in the planning and coordination of new student orientation since her arrival in 2013 and in the development and implementation of a one-credit vocational exploration course.

“Serving Finlandia’s mission in this new capacity allows me to continue to advocate for our students’ needs,” Barnett said. “I look forward to accompanying them as they face new challenges and become the people they are meant to be.”

Barnett came to Finlandia after working in a variety of roles, mostly related to the first-year college experience, at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky. In her final position at the university she served as the Director of First Year Learning Communities and Courses. In addition to that work, she served as an adjunct faculty member.

She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Kentucky and holds a master’s degree from the University of Alaska Anchorage. In 2016 she became a Thrivent Fellow, which required completing a yearlong leadership program. Barnett is also active in the community, serving on the Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter Coalition, Houghton/Keweenaw Communities That Care, and volunteering with Western U.P. Food Bank, Girl Scouts of Northwestern Great Lakes as a Daisy Troop Leader, Salvation Army and Copper Country Humane Society.