Carnegie Mellon University

The Piper

CMU Community News

Piper Logo
June 07, 2019

Larsen Helps Students Through Their Toughest Transition

Dog day afternoons are part of his repertoire

By Bruce Gerson

Kurt Larsen is getting ready to connect with his new kids — over 150 of them.

As an assistant dean of undergraduate studies in the College of Engineering, Larsen is an adviser to first-year students. This week, he’ll be reaching out to his share of the more than 400 incoming engineers to start the conversation.

“We talk to them about everything, from academic schedules and career plans to adjusting to college life and being away from home,” he said. “The first year is when they begin their toughest transition.”

An adviser with over 20 years of experience at CMU, Larsen said the most common challenges he sees for incoming students is time management and knowing when to ask for help. He said many students come to CMU from high schools where they were “big fish in little ponds."

“Now they have to learn how to become more independent and self-advocating. They have to figure out how much time to allocate for study, when to eat and when to sleep,” he said. “And after being used to their classmates coming to them for help, there’s an ego shift that has to happen. They have to learn to ask for help themselves, and that asking for help is okay.”

An adviser with over 20 years of experience at CMU, Larsen said the most common challenges he sees for incoming students is time management and knowing when to ask for help.

With such a large volume of students to advise, time management is a test for him, too. But, Larsen is up to the challenge.

“Students need more time to talk about everything going on in their lives — not just classes — but I love working with them,” he said. “They continually amaze me at how brilliant they are. I enjoy helping them to get the most out of their college career. It’s very satisfying and rewarding.”

Larsen also has administrative duties in the College of Engineering and is a member of the Associate Dean’s Council, a group that discusses policies, issues and concerns that arise.

“It’s a nice balance between being in the trenches with students and discussing and contributing to policy and practice at the 10,000-foot level,” he said.

image of Larsen's dog, Mudge, with studentsLarsen's chocolate lab, Mudge, bonds with students in Mudge House.

When he’s in the trenches, Larsen is sometimes accompanied by Mudge, his 5-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever who is a certified therapy dog. Mudge meets students in Larsen’s Scaife Hall Office, in Mudge House and in front of Doherty Hall when classes change. You can find out when the dog will be on campus next by following @mudgeandme on Instagram.

“I’m continually surprised and pleased to see how much joy this dog brings people. Students flock to him and get to know him. I think more students know him than they do me,” he said.

Larsen, who recently celebrated his 23rd work anniversary at CMU, said what he loves most about the university is its collaborative spirit and student-centric approach.

“I work with so many incredible people across campus to help our students,” he said. “I work with Student Affairs, the Career Center, University Health Services, faculty and staff to help students succeed. That’s something I really enjoy.” 

In his free time, Larsen likes spending time with his wife, two children and Mudge, of course.

“Whatever free time I have left, I love learning about nutrition and physiology, doing Crossfit or playing some type of sport,” he said. “Back in the day, I would play 6 a.m. basketball with the likes of Professor Russ Walker and other staff. Then I switched over to racquetball with Michael Murphy, Everett Tademy and Don Coffelt. Now I’m interested in finding some squash partners.” 

Have a suggestion for Staff Spotlight? Send it to piperweekly@andrew.cmu.edu.