St. Thomas University has been a part of Ryan Sullivan’s life since before he started working here. The day after his last classes at STU, Sullivan started working full-time in the admissions office. In 2009, he married his wife in the STU chapel. Now, Sullivan is saying goodbye.
“I think [St. Thomas] has become an extension of myself, in a lot of ways. I’ve been here a long time, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working at St. Thomas.”
Sullivan, director of international recruitment, will begin his new job at New Brunswick Community College in a few weeks.
“It’s an emotional decision for sure. But sometimes change is good. It’s not often that you get the opportunity to work in the same industry, in the same city that I really enjoy working in and yet, get a little bit of change.”
Sullivan said the new position won’t require as much travel, which is important. He and his wife are expecting their first child in March.
Sullivan’s position as director of international recruitment will not be replaced. Kate Crawford, director of domestic recruitment, will take on Sullivan’s position and become director of domestic and international recruitment. Scott Duguay, vice president of enrollment management, has also decided to hire two new admissions counselors right away.
Sullivan never expected he would end up in admissions, or that he would stay at STU for so long.
“When I graduated I actually had two different job offers. One from St. Thomas and one in the financial industry,” said Sullivan. “The financial industry job at the time seemed like it would be more of a long-term career path and the admission counselor job seemed like a short-term fun job.”
Fourteen years later, he is still working in recruitment.
“I quickly became addicted to the role and the position and the people I was working with.”
Over the years, Sullivan has been to over 50 countries. He has also had a few different positions. He has worked as a domestic recruiter, international recruiter, residence life director and then as international director.
The most enjoyable part of his job, Sullivan said, has been working with students.
The STU International Student Association President Adriana Rivas said Sullivan has always been there for international students, before, during and after they go to St. Thomas.
“On behalf of all the international students, we would like to thank Ryan for always been a great source of support and understanding. We wish him the best of luck,” the STUISA board said in a statement.
Although Sullivan has loved the travel, it isn’t as glamorous as everybody thinks.
“I’ve missed countless Thanksgivings, birthdays, celebrations with friends and I’m alone in a hotel in whatever country, province or state. It certainly can be challenging at times. And certainly in countries you’re traveling in where you don’t know the language, the customs and you have to be aware of your safety.”
At NBCC, Sullivan will be the director of international education. He will still be working with students, but will also be working to help the college with creating international partnerships.
“They are starting from a pretty small cohort right now. Their goal is to grow their international student population.”
Sullivan hopes, since NBCC is so close to STU, to encourage more collaboration between the schools.
“St. Thomas is a huge part of my life, and I expect it to continue to be so, just in a different way.”
