An Engaged Community Organizer

After 22 years leading the Sundborg Center for Community Engagement (CCE), Executive Director Kent Koth is preparing for his next chapter.

Wrapping up his time at SU and promoting his second book, Leading Place-Based Community Engagement Initiatives in Higher Education, Koth, who will become an executive leadership coach post-SU, recently shared in this Q&A some reflections of his time on campus, in the community and as a national leader in community engagement.

What elements of community engagement helped you lead CCE?  
Koth: I approach this work as a community organizer, thinking and working with others in search of common interests to pursue together. I believe in the power of connection, that we’re stronger when working together than individually.

What challenges have you experienced as CCE’s leader?
Koth: I’ve learned a lot about myself and how I lead along the way. The center has grown significantly over the years and my leadership adapted. I better understand my identities, particularly leading as a white male. Working in communities of color requires self-work, humility and awareness. Both the magic and the challenge of our work is connecting campus and community, because we inhabit the in-between.

What CCE accomplishments are you most proud of?
Koth: I am proud of our work to connect classes to the wider community through community engaged learning, the Seattle University Youth Initiative and our partnership with the Seattle Housing Authority that continues today through the resident-driven decision process of the Yesler Terrace Legacy Commitment. 

What are your top memories of CCE? 
Koth: So many memories! A few include SU hosting Tent City on campus was a powerful and clarifying moment; the planning process that brought together 300 campus and community partners to co-envision and launch the Seattle University Youth Initiative; growing community engaged learning courses from several dozen in 2004 to hundreds today; and developing a free course about Seattle for new students who couldn’t be present on campus during the COVID pandemic.

How did you sustain and renew yourself in this role for two decades? 
Koth: I try to continue to learn and adapt. I’ve had an executive coach for 12 years, which has kept me grounded. I also continue to learn and write about our field, including writing two books on place-based community engagement.  

What moments during your time here capture the essence of CCE? 
Koth: In 2015, we hosted the Association for Jesuit Colleges and Universities arts and sciences deans for a half-day learning experience at Yesler Terrace. One of those visiting deans was (new SU President) Dr. Maura Mast, who was, at that time, early in her tenure at Fordham. I’m excited she remembered us years later and is here now. We never know how the seeds we're planting will come to fruition or inform future leaders. 

Who was an impactful influence on your time at CCE? 
Koth: I am grateful for the many staff members I’ve worked with, some who are now leading major Seattle organizations. The person who influenced me the most is Father (Stephen) Sundborg who, as president, led the effort to create the Center and the Youth Initiative. Without that leadership, interest and support, we wouldn’t be where we are today. 

What do you wish someone told you when you first arrived? 
Koth: ‘Relax, things will evolve’ and ‘be true to yourself, listen to your inner voice and trust your way of proceeding.’ To go back in time, I would say, ‘Dream bigger and think more creatively with your campus and community colleagues.’ 

What wisdom would you share with the CCE team? With CCE’s future leader? 
Koth: Team, you are remarkable leaders with incredible sets of skills and your values align with the center. You have so much power in what you do, stay true to who you are. Embrace the next chapter of our work. Continue to have grace with each other, the university and our partners. For the next leader of the center: This is the best job on campus and an opportunity creatively facilitate campus and community partners to pursue meaningful positive change.  

What do you want people at Seattle University to remember about you? 
Koth: That I led authentically from who I am, I listened, was curious, asked questions, guided the best I could and learned from my mistakes. Also leading with a sense of humor—I take this work very seriously, but I don’t take myself that seriously. Humor and levity are important for all of us to find the essence of ourselves and others. 

Editor’s note: Seattle University selected search firm Korn Ferry to recruit the next executive director after Koth announced his upcoming departure earlier this year.