Keynote: Resilience and Recovery – Charting a Course in an Era of Active Violence
On the evening of February 13, 2023, Michigan State University was thrust into the grim realm of institutions affected by active violence, as a gunman entered two campus buildings. This incident marked another tragic chapter in a series of such events since the devastating occurrence at Columbine High School. Amidst divisive discourse, the question arises: is active violence an unavoidable reality on university campuses, or can proactive measures truly prevent such tragedies?
Join us to delve into the harrowing five-hour ordeal that unfolded when an assailant, unaffiliated with Michigan State University, breached its grounds. Dr. Gasser will recount the swift actions taken that evening and the subsequent efforts undertaken in the days and months that followed. In the wake of profound sorrow, how does a community summon resilience and embark on the path to recovery amidst pervasive fear and horror?
Dr. Gasser will outline crucial steps that institutions can adopt, offering insights into both immediate responses and long-term planning. Together, let’s explore strategies to fortify campuses against future threats and cultivate a culture of safety and preparedness.
BIO
Dr. Ray Gasser serves as the Assistant Vice President for Residence Education and Housing Services in the Division of Student Life & Engagement at Michigan State University. His current level of responsibilities includes oversight of 27 residence halls, 3 apartment complex facilities with a total occupancy capacity of nearly 17,000 beds, a $80 million annual operating budget, and providing leadership and vision to a department of over 300 full time employees.
Ray has previously worked at the University of Idaho, University of Arizona, Indiana State University, Colorado State University, and Florida State University. Ray’s 27 years of experience in supervision and working with campus partners on achieving institutional goals and promoting student success and equity.
Ray has firsthand experience with incidents of active violence, having encountered them at both Michigan State University and the University of Arizona. Additionally, he witnessed the profound impact of such incidents on students from Columbine and Oxford High Schools while on his university campuses.
Ray currently serves as the Finance and Coporate Records Director for the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International (ACUHO-I) Foundation and previously chaired the Campus Housing Index Committee and the Program Committee for ACUHO-I. Ray has presented numerous programs at both regional and national conferences, as well as served on faculty for the National Housing Training Institute and the Great Lakes Association of College and University Housing Officers Professional Development Institute.
Ray received his B.A. from the University of Washington in Mass Communications, his M.S. from Colorado State University in Student Affairs, and his Ph.D. from the University of Arizona in Higher Education Administration. Ray’s doctoral work focused on studying the factors contributing to first-year undecided student retention.
Ray is happily married to his wife Sarah and has two sons, Eli (19) and Dylan (16), and two step-sons, Ryan (14) and Jacob (12).