Lina Blair is the Dean of Student Life at Ferris State University, where they chair the Behavioral Response Team, co-lead the Belonging Workgroup within the Strategic Planning Team, and supervise a wonderful team of professionals responsible for advancing student development, wellness, and coordinated care while elevating the student experience. Lina is also working to institutionalize the work of the Bulldog Basic Needs Alliance, a committee of incredible individuals and community partners working to address student basic needs insecurity.
Prior to this, Lina served as the Director of Student Life and Conduct at Grand Rapids Community College. In addition to leading the Student Life team on efforts to connect students to student organizations and leadership development opportunities, Lina served as the chair of the Behavioral Intervention Team, Title IX Coordinator, and led the student conduct efforts at GRCC. Additionally, Lina co-chaired a college action project to address student basic needs insecurities. The work was institutionalized at GRCC and a CARE Network was implemented across the college.
Prior to their role with GRCC, Lina worked at Northern Michigan University for more than 10 years. While at NMU, Lina was a resident director for three years, an academic advisor and coordinator of academic proficiency for three years and the assistant director of ACAC and director of New Student Orientation for four years. Lina also served as the assistant dean of students. While in the Dean of Students Office at NMU, Lina led the student conduct program, advised student government, created a new program for NMU’s first-generation college students, and was a member of the Behavioral Intervention Team. A two-time NMU graduate, Lina earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a Master of Science in training, development, and human performance.