Assistant Sports Information Director Drew Patrick launches Mansfield University Conversations and interviews President Patterson for the premiere episode. The series plans to feature in-depth interviews with staff, faculty, students and other members of the campus community; new episodes are to be released every other week on YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Engineers for the podcast are Multimedia Specialists Houston Baker and Mark Polonia and Communication Professor Andrew Longcore. Those who would like to subscribe to Mansfield University Conversations may visit https://www.mansfield.edu/podcasts/ for more information.
The first episode begins with Patrick asking Dr. Patterson how he went from being a Biochemistry major to the President of Mansfield University. He explained that he was an untraditional student throughout his undergraduate and graduate career and knew early on in his schooling that he wanted to be something else other than a “traditional bench scientist faculty member.” He was very involved in administrative committees and enjoyed the overall process very much. “I got a lot of pride in seeing others succeed and helping them succeed, so that was the pivot for me. I had a nontraditional career,” he said.
Many other positions led to Dr. Patterson’s Presidency at Mansfield. His first position after completing his Ph.D. in Biochemistry was at Baylor University in Waco, Texas as an Assistant Director for Sponsored Programs. At this point, he “wore many hats” and had many different responsibilities. Speaking from this experience, he encouraged others to try new things and not be afraid to fail.
Dr. Patterson then began to work at Georgia Southern University, where he spent nearly ten years of his career. He held many different positions at this institution, including Dean of the Graduate College and Vice President for Research & Economic Development. All of these positions gave him a vast array of experience that he uses to this day.
Georgia Southwestern State University was Dr. Patterson’s next stop in his career. He served as the Interim President for two and a half years and successfully grew enrollment at the institution. “It was an opportunity; a door opened, and I walked through it.” Patrick then asked Dr. Patterson about his last step before Mansfield University, when he served as the Senior Advisor for Executive Outreach at the U.S. Department of Education. The Chief Operating Officer at the Office of Federal Student Aid reached out to Dr. Patterson and asked him to join his team, valuing his prior experience as an Interim President. He remarked that it was an interesting experience, and it allowed him to bring a different aspect to future positions.
Patrick then asked the classic question, “Why Mansfield?” Dr. Patterson responded that other opportunities came his way, but Mansfield was a jewel. “People come to Mansfield and fall in love with it, doesn’t matter if you’re a faculty, a staff, a student, or president, once you’re on campus, it’s beautiful.” He also noted that the state of Pennsylvania is innovative regarding the sustainability of higher education. Being at the forefront of this change interested Dr. Patterson, and he felt that he could make a difference in the state university system as well, which benefits all Pennsylvania students.
Dr. Patterson recalls his first days at Mansfield fondly. First, he moved his family from D.C., and then he spent the few first weeks with the previous Interim President, Peter Fackler. During this time, Dr. Patterson was eased into the position and met many staff and faculty. During the summer, when he spoke in front of prospective students and freshmen at orientations, he gave out his personal phone number and invited people to contact him and ask any questions that they had. When Patrick asked if he regretted this decision, Patterson replied, “not at all.” Throughout the entire interview, he stresses the importance of the relationship between the President and students. The act of sharing his phone number is just one of many instances of his closeness with students on campus.
Patrick then asked what the challenges are when adapting to the new normal that now exists because of the pandemic. Dr. Patterson responded, “The decisions that we make are assessing and reacting to what is around us, and that is what we continue to do throughout the fall semester.” He noted that if parents and students had not expressed their willingness to be on campus, all instruction would be online. The balance of trying to keep students safe while also content with their educational situation is difficult to achieve.
Dr. Patterson then added that he sometimes plays games on his phone or rides his motorcycle to unwind. However, he also expressed that he does not have a specific outlet. “This job is 24/7. It’s a good thing, it is. I’m not complaining at all. The job is not a job, it’s a lifestyle. And that’s what I love about it.”