¿ìèÊÓƵ

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Essence Russ, ’07, to discuss ¿ìèÊÓƵ U’s impact on her career and why she chooses to stay connected. She is featured in the Our Moment for Mission  and a part of the leadership team for the . 

Russ chose to attend ¿ìèÊÓƵ U as a way to write her own story in a nearby city. With a desire to pursue Communication Studies fueled by her high school experience hosting morning announcements and assemblies, Essence deepened her knowledge of the field throughout her time at ¿ìèÊÓƵ U by hosting a radio show on KSUB and working at Fisher Radio. 

How do you think that ¿ìèÊÓƵ U influenced your career path?  

The Jesuit values that ¿ìèÊÓƵ instills in its students are critical in the development of a decent human and young adult. Learning what it looks like to become a servant leader has never left me. I secured my first fulltime position as a result of an internship that I was doing for a Poverty in America course during my last quarter at ¿ìèÊÓƵ. This position started my career path in the nonprofit sector and showed me that there was another avenue besides corporate America, to me a more rewarding path where I could have a direct impact on those suffering the most in my community. That experience opened the door to the past 13 years of service in the nonprofit sector supporting disadvantaged youth in foster care, youth experiencing homelessness as well as immigrant and refugee families. 

Why did you choose to come back and serve on the leadership team of the Eastside ¿ìèÊÓƵ Chapter?  

I’ve always wanted to give back to ¿ìèÊÓƵ by volunteering and giving back through mentoring opportunities. Just in 2020, pre-COVID, I volunteered for the LinkUp Mentoring Event for ¿ìèÊÓƵ’s School of Arts & Sciences. This event entailed speaking with current students in the School of Arts & Sciences about their paths, my professional choices, offering advice, direction and connecting after the event for continued impact.  

Helping to launch and lead the Eastside ¿ìèÊÓƵ Chapter was another opportunity to connect with a larger ¿ìèÊÓƵ community while giving back to SU in a sustainable way through network building. Alumni communities have a unique ability to build a network of support for alumni across generations and majors. They also allow alumni to renew or strengthen their ties to ¿ìèÊÓƵ U and its mission.

What are your team’s goals for the Eastside ¿ìèÊÓƵ Chapter?  

The start to our regional chapter was different! Our very first event was scheduled a month before the quarantine began in 2020. While this continued planning glitch derailed some of our short-term goals, we were really excited with the alumni and family turn-out during that event. 

How can alumni actively participate in Our Moment for Mission? 

Connecting and volunteering are the two calls to action that I am most passionate about when it comes to Our Moment for Mission, the President’s Challenge. Please consider finding opportunities to stay connected or reconnect with the university and volunteer in the ways that are most meaningful to you. 

• Volunteer to be a part of the Eastside ¿ìèÊÓƵ Chapter Group

• Volunteer with your school or college

How do you see giving back to the greater ¿ìèÊÓƵ U community? 

Go out into the community and support a small local business. If the owner is an SU alum, bonus! If it’s a Black-owned business, even better! 

1. Visit or order from  off of 23rd & Union in ¿ìèÊÓƵ, WA (or hire  for your next in-person event) You will not be disappointed!  
2. Order some new, delightful candles from  owned by Colina Bruce-SU Alumna and staff.