Susyn Dees
Professor; Program Director
Degree Program:
Radiography Program
Description:
Leading students into a growing field
Creating personal connections with students
Susyn Dees loves what she does. She joined the Champlain Radiography department in 1991 and became its program director in 2004. She brings a diverse academic and professional background to her work, with degrees in Radiologic Technology (AS), Secondary Education (BS) and Curriculum, Instruction and Media (MS).
One of the benchmarks of a Champlain College education struck Susyn from the start. "From the first semester of teaching at Champlain College, I was gripped by the close contact that exists with our students. It is important to me to have a connection with each student throughout the Radiography program," Susyn says. "Champlain continues to emphasize the importance of teacher-student relationships. I could not imagine teaching in a lecture hall of 300 students. I need to know that my students are learning, and that takes place on a daily basis because of our interactions."
Clinical support through the area's largest hospitals-Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington and Northwest Medical Center in St. Albans, 30 miles north of Burlington-is the greatest strength of the Radiography program.
"These medical facilities offer state of the art equipment, well-qualified technologist mentors and a tremendous variety of experiences to our students," Susyn says. "Our students graduate with all the skills necessary to begin employment as an entry-level Radiographer in any medical facility in the country."
Opportunities for growth
Susyn's goals for her students extend beyond knowledge of Radiography itself. "It is my greatest hope that students appreciate the value of professionalism upon graduation," she says. "Their many internship experiences offer observation of both good and bad practices. It is through guided direction and personal reflection that they must decipher their values around professionalism. It is my goal to provide a model of those qualities that I hope each student will experience in their careers as a Radiographer. I always leave my students with one piece of advice: ‘You should love what you do and if you don't, do something else.'
"I am most proud of the work that continues well after students graduate from this program," she says. "There is exciting growth in Radiography and we now offer students the opportunity to develop multiple skills in the field."
A member of the Vermont Society of Radiologic Technologists, Susyn serves as the state's delegate to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.
Poster design for an invitational snowboarding competition.