Dean's Office Staff

Monica J. Casper, PhD | Dean

Monica J. Casper, PhD, is the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Seattle University.

She received her BA in Sociology from the University of Chicago and her PhD in Sociology from the University of California, San Francisco.

Before arriving at Seattle University in 2024, Dr. Casper served as Special Assistant to the President on Gender-Based Violence and Professor of Sociology at San Diego State University. While there, she chaired a national Blue Ribbon Task Force on Gender-Based Violence to improve campus climate and safety. Prior to her appointment as Special Assistant, Dr. Casper served as Dean of the College of Arts and Letters.

Dr. Casper has held leadership roles at the University of Arizona and Arizona State University, where she directed Humanities, Arts, and Cultural Studies, as well as Vanderbilt University, where she directed the Women’s and Gender Studies program. In addition, Dr. Casper has been a Fellow in Biomedical Ethics at Stanford University and a faculty member at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Dr. Casper has written and lectured extensively on gender, health, trauma and violence, among other subjects. She has authored or coauthored eight books, including Babylost: Racism, Survival, and the Quiet Politics of Infant Mortality, from A to Z, which was published in 2022, and 2025's Betrayal U: The Politics of Belonging in Higher Education.

Favorite coffee shop order: "A Flat White or the Bees Knees from Archive in Salem OR. More locally, I love the 2% mocha at Stillhouse in Edmonds - yum!"

When I grow up, I wanted to be: "A race car driver!"

My hidden talent: "I'm a dissectologist! So many puzzles, so little time."

Claire Baumgardner | Administrative Assistant

Claire has been with the Dean's Office since January 2021, but has worked in various education settings since 2017. Her role encompasses a wide range of administrative systems within the college, including faculty and staff professional development, in addition to serving as administrative assistant to several departments, and she enjoys working among such a talented and dedicated group of staff and faculty members. Born in Portland, Oregon, she earned a degree in American Studies and Translation at Smith College (2019) in Northampton, Massachusetts, and feels very lucky to call the Pacific Northwest home.

My favorite place in Seattle: "The Saint Rat mosaic in Cal Anderson Park."

My coffee shop order: "A cardamom latte and some kind of flaky pastry."

When I was a student, I wish I would have known: "How valuable and fun it is to connect with other students, even though it can be scary."

María Bullón-Fernández, PhD | Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs

María came to Seattle University in 1995, after receiving a PhD in Medieval Literature from Cornell University and, prior to that, a BA in English Philology from the University of Sevilla (Spain). As the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, she supports all faculty in the college around matters related to contracting, annual reviews, promotions, rank and tenure, professional development, shared governance, workload and faculty life. She also works with chairs and departments on matters related to Program Review and internal departmental governance, among others. She loves working closely with great colleagues who care about students, about the university, and about the world around us. 

Favorite place in Seattle: "I love Discovery Park. Hiking through the park, you feel like you are far away from the city and when you get to the cliffs overlooking Puget Sound, the views are stunning."

Favorite class from your college experience: "It's hard to choose, but one of my favorite classes was History of the English Language. Our teacher was excellent and I was really fascinated by the changes that English went through over time and the varied and complex reasons (social, political, cultural, among others) for those changes."

Go-to coffee shop order: "Cappuccino, if I think that the coffee shop knows how to make it well."

Kathleen Cook, PhD | Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

Kathleen started as an assistant professor at Seattle University when she finished her PhD in social and personality psychology at the University of Washington in 2002. Her undergraduate studies in music, education and the liberal arts help her to oversee the wide variety of excellent programs in the College of Arts and Sciences. She loves helping Seattle University deliver its best to its wonderful students.

Favorite place on campus: "Any place with dogs, the Psychology Department or a quiet chair in the library."

Favorite class from your college experience: "Conducting, Major British Writers, Business Calculus and Music History."

Go-to coffee shop order: "Double-tall nonfat Americano."

When I grow up, I want to be: "Right where I am, a comedian or a librarian."

Hidden talent: "I can play all band and orchestral instruments and I can do arithmetic quickly in my head." 

When I was a student, I wish I would have known: "What a professor needs to write a good letter of recommendation. Faculty really do want students to come and see them!"

Lisa Ferrin | Academic Program Manager

Lisa has a BA from Nazareth University (formerly Nazareth College) and has been Seattle University for nine years. As the Academic Program Manager, she works on all things academics: curriculum, program review and course scheduling.

Favorite class from your college experience: "Abnormal Psych" 

Go-to coffee shop order: "Caramel Macchiato"

Hidden talent: "Knitting"

Erica Lee Martin, PhD | Assistant Dean of Student Academic Affairs

Erica has been working at Seattle University since 2009 and currently serves as Assistant Dean for Student Academic Affairs in the College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a PhD in Biblical Studies and also teaches in the Theology and Religious Studies Department. In her role, Erica supports students, faculty and programs in fostering meaningful academic experiences and ensuring fair, transparent processes. 

Favorite place on campus: "The garden courtyard behind Casey Atrium—it’s a quiet gem in the middle of everything."

Favorite class from your college experience: "Ancient Greek— it opened the door to a lifelong love of language and story."

Go-to coffee shop order: "Chai latte."

Heather Reis Fike | Project Manager

Heather is a first-generation Seattle University graduate from the West Seattle/White Center area. In the Dean’s Office of the College of Arts and Sciences, her job is to translate the Dean’s vision into action through strategic planning, project leadership, and operational management. With over 20 years of experience in higher education and deep roots at Seattle University, Heather brings a passionate commitment to its students, faculty, staff, and social justice mission.

Favorite place in Seattle: "Lincoln Park."

Go-to coffee shop order: "Iced coffee or Strawberry Matcha."

Favorite class from your college experience: "One of my favorite classes at Seattle University was Intercultural Autobiography, which explored the life stories of global freedom fighters. The course coincided with Nelson Mandela’s visit to campus, and our class had the unforgettable opportunity to attend his event while studying his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom. That experience deepened my understanding of resilience, justice and the power of personal narrative."

Mark Petterson, MFA | Director of Communications

Mark has been the Director of Communications for the College of Arts and Sciences since 2024, previously working at St. Joseph Parish as the Director of Communications and Social Justice and before that, Seattle Central College as an English and Creative Writing instructor. In his role at Seattle University, he supports faculty and staff in telling stories about faculty, staff and student excellence. A proud Jayhawk, he holds an MFA in Poetry Writing from the University of Kansas and continues to write both poetry and fiction. 

Favorite place in Seattle: "Golden Gardens Park at sunset - it's where I got married!" 

Favorite class from your college experience: "The creative writing workshops in undergrad, which led me to pursue an MFA in creative writing." 

Hidden talent: "Trivia. I was on two episodes of Jeopardy! in 2009." 

Carmen Rivera, MSc | Assistant Dean of Student Engagement

Carmen is the Assistant Dean for Student Engagement and Recruitment and an Assistant Teaching Professor of Criminal Justice at Seattle University. She holds a BA in Criminal Justice with Departmental Honors from Seattle University and an MSc in the Psychology of Investigation from the University of Liverpool, and has been part of the Seattle University community for several years, supporting student recruitment, engagement initiatives, and commencement while also teaching undergraduate and graduate courses. Rivera is passionate about helping students find meaningful pathways through higher education and connecting academic learning with real-world civic and community impact.

Favorite class from your college experience: "Spiritual Tradition: East/West."

Go-to coffee shop order: "Usually a lavender oat milk cappuccino, sometimes a chai oat milk latte in the afternoons, depending my mood."

When I was a student, I wish I would have known: "If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans. Be open to all the possibilities within and beyond your aspirations."

Tete Stillwell | Budget and Operations Manager

Tete was born in El Salvador, and has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Human Resources Management and Professional Development. She has 19 years of professional experience working with data management and payroll systems. She worked at Seattle University from 2016 to 2019 in Human Resources and came back in 2022 to work with the college as Manager of Budget and Operations. 

Favorite place on campus: "Chapel of St. Ignatius."

Go-to coffee shop order: "Caramel macchiato (hot or cold, depending on the weather)."

Hidden talent: "Drawing and digital design."

When I was a student, I wish I would have known: "That my profession was going to be something completely different than what I thought."

Sharon A. Suh, PhD | Associate Dean for Faculty Scholarship and Strategic Initiatives

Sharon is trained as a scholar of Buddhism. She has a PhD In Buddhist Studies from Harvard University, an MTS From Harvard Divinity School and is a trained trauma-informed yoga teacher and Mindful Eating-Conscious Living teacher. She has been at Seattle University for over 25 years and serves as the Associate Dean for Faculty Scholarship and Strategic Initiatives. What is most rewarding about her job is that it allows her to integrate so many of her different passions - writing, research, teaching, and embodied practice.

Favorite class from your college experience: "Introduction to Buddhist Thought and Practice with a former Tibetan Buddhist monk - the gateway to my career."

Go-to coffee shop order: "Double-tall oat milk cappuccino."

Hidden talent: "My ability to run long distances, from half-marathons to 50ks and beyond." 

Darozyl Touch | Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice

Darozyl is a Seattle University College of Arts and Sciences alum of Political Science and the University of Washington Masters in Teaching program. She supports the implementation of the college's Strategic Plan, which is building out anti-racist, trauma-informed and healing-centered policy and practices throughout the college. She also helps run the CAS Care Collective, which offers students free basic needs supports including shelf-stable food, toiletries and household items, and helps connect them to a larger network of resources offered by the University.  

Favorite place in Seattle: "Paddleboarding on the South shore of Seward Park/Lake Washington where Mount Tahoma is visible on a clear, sunny day." 

Favorite class from your college experience: "A Political Science course called "Race, Gender, and Sexuality" taught by Dr. Rose Ernst." 

Hidden talent: "I am an herbalist who like to grow, harvest, and make my own herbal potions."

Rachel Whalen | Director of Development

Rachel has over 25 years of experience working in development, with many years in arts organizations, including Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Chamber Music Society and Seattle Children’s Theatre. She has worked at Seattle University since late 2021, most recently as Associate Director of Development and Alumni Relations in the School of Law. Rachel is delighted to be in the College of Arts and Sciences, working with donors and alumni, university advancement, the dean and associate deans, department chairs, and faculty and staff to cultivate, sustain and grow investment in priority initiatives to benefit our students, faculty and programs. Rachel has a BA from The Evergreen State College and a Certificate in Public Administration from Seattle University.

Favorite place in Seattle: "Pike Place Market is one of my favorite places in Seattle—lots of vibrant energy!"

Favorite class from your college experience: "All of my theatre and literature classes."

Go-to coffee shop order: "It may change for special occasions, but it’s usually dark roast drip, no room."

Renee Yiu | Administrative Coordinator

Renee is the Administrative Coordinator for the College of Arts and Sciences at Seattle University. She holds an undergraduate degree in accounting and is currently completing the Professional MBA program. Renee has been with SU for three years, managing daily operations for the Dean’s Office and providing support to the assistant deans. She works closely with students, faculty and staff to help navigate academic and campus-related questions, fostering a welcoming and supportive environment.

Favorite place on campus: "My favorite place on campus is the quad. It’s a peaceful spot to relax and connect with others."

Go-to coffee shop order: "My go-to coffee shop order is a mocha, as I love the mix of chocolate and coffee."

When I was a student, I wish I would have known: "I wish I would have known how important networking is for career growth."