Known to most as simply “Dean Sue,” Sue Wasiolek spent the better part of her life dedicated to the students at Duke University. In 2021, she stepped away from her job as faculty-in-residence in Gilbert-Addoms dorm. It was, she said at the time, “the saddest day of my life.”
Wasiolek, spent 40 years at Duke University. She served as associate vice president of Student Affairs and Dean of Students but was best known by her students as someone they could count on to lend an ear – whether the topic was academic or personal.
“I had this incredible opportunity to live with 200 freshmen students for almost 10 years in residence hall,” Wasiolek said during an interview with MacKenzie Price. “I have no children of my own, but I sure do know a lot of other people’s children and I have a lot of advice for them.”
Wasiolek not only worked at Duke, but also attended the university as a first-generation, low-income student. Although she initially intended to go into medicine, her stint as an RA convinced her that she loved interacting with other students. So, when a job became available in University Student Affairs as an administrative assistant to Duke’s dean for student life, she applied and was hired.
She didn’t stop there. She later completed her JD at North Carolina Central University and LLM at Duke in 1993. She took a job at a law firm for a year before returning to Duke.
Wasiolek now serves as executive director of Legends Lab, a program designed to build confidence in children. She also co-wrote the book “Getting the Best Out of College” with Peter Feaver, professor of political science and public policy, and author Anne Crossman.
