“When I was a student at St. John’s University, I learned so
much about myself, but most of all I learned about life,” says
Charisse Willis ’89SVC, ’91MS, ’95P.D., an alumna, Associate Dean
and Professor in St. John’s School of Education. “I believe life
should be about making a difference.”
Dean Willis certainly knows what it’s like to make a difference
because she has touched the lives of so many in The School of
Education. In addition to her roles as professor and dean, Dean
Willis is also the director and moderator of several School of
Education programs including: Jumpstart, a
mentoring program for young children, and America Reads * America Counts, an early intervention
reading program.
For Dean Willis, the biggest reward of wearing many hats, she says,
is being a positive influence in the lives of the people she meets,
“The hats that I wear are really one big hat called St. John’s
University. I believe in its mission and
vision. I am always looking for a challenge or cause, but most
importantly a way to make a difference.”
During this year’s winter intersession, Dean Willis organized a
School of Education service trip to France. It was an opportunity
for 16 School of Education students to be immersed in French
culture and complete several hours of community service in the
French school systems:
“France was an amazing experience. Our students had a chance to
teach in French schools and volunteer at one of the largest soup
kitchens in France throughout our two-week stay. I always make
service learning a requirement for all of the courses I teach. It’s
important to show students how vital it is to be
involved.”
In her role as educator, Dean Willis says she uses her class time
to encourage students to embrace the Catholic, Vincentian, and
metropolitan mission of the University in order to inspire them to
become the type of educators who make a lasting impression on their
students’ lives.
“Teaching has given me the opportunity to do what I do best and
that is help people. I only have one goal when I teach and that is
to encourage my students to live the mission statement through
their own actions. I tell them that saying what you want to do is
not enough, you have to take action,” explains Dean Willis.
Her extraordinary devotion to St. John’s students, demonstrated by
the Teacher of the Year Award and School of Education Service Award
she’s received, motivates Dean Willis to prepare students to become
effective leaders, “I am providing my students with the foundation
they need to succeed. With the proper guidance and support I
know they can accomplish anything.”