Everett focuses on students

This archived article was written by: C. Dean Thacker

Gypsie Everett seems right at home in her new position at Utah State University Eastern as the director of student life, leadership and diversity; a position she is excited to help USUE students for years to come.
On July 1, Everett began her tenure, a position previously held by Evette Allen, Ph.D, who held the position three years.
As the director of student life, Everett advises the Eastern Utah Student Association (EUSA), and the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI). She also directly oversees other departments on campus such as the Serving Utah Network (SUN) Center, and GEAR up. Her main focus is the retention of students.
Everett began her collegiate journey at College of Eastern Utah. During her three years at CEU, she served the students in many capacities. She served on The Eagle staff, as the editor for her first two years, and as a staff writer her third. During this time she worked under Susan Polster, Ph.D.
Everett also served on student government or Associated Students of the College of Eastern Utah, or ASCEU. During Everett’s time on ASCUE, she served as the public relations chair, and as the inter-club council vice president. She had the opportunity to work under Bill Osborn, whom she learned to love the institution from.
After three years, and a duel associate in science and criminal justice degree, she said, “I didn’t want to leave here,” but knew that she had to go.
She ended up getting recruited by Utah State University, where she served as an ambassador and loved it.
Everett said, “As an ambassador, I found that I had a passion for recruitment, and that I wanted to work with college students.”
After graduating with her bachelor’s degree journalism with an emphasis in public relations and a minor in human resource management, she eventually moved back, with her son Logan, to Price. During Everett’s time in Price she worked in the corrections field. Later she got hired at USU Eastern as an administration assistant, and was later hired as an academic advisor.
During her time at USU Eastern, she earned her master’s degree in social work in 2017. With her new master’s degree and an open position for the Director of student life, she applied and accepted into her dream job.
She loves that she gets to work at an institution that combines the past of the CEU, and the present of USU, her two favorite institutions.
Everett, above all, cares for the students and their education. She says, “Education and knowledge is so important because it is the only thing that on one can ever take away from you.”
As the advisor of the CDI, Everett enjoys the diversity of USU Eastern. Throughout the years, she has seen the increase of diversity at USU Eastern. She loves that she has the opportunity to learn from people of all walks of life.
She is grateful to have a center on campus that teaches awareness and tolerance. “The CDI (gives students) an opportunity to grow as people.”
Everett is excited that the leadership groups on campus are coming together more than ever before, to bring the best experiences to the students of Eastern. With this new community between the five-student leadership groups on campus, the new 100 events program is sure to be a success. This program focuses on helping the retention of students at Eastern
Also as the EUSA advisor, she is excited to create new traditions and serve the students to the best of her ability. She pleads with the students, “If there is an activity, or a change that you want to see on campus please tell someone.”
Everett is here to serve the students of Eastern, and she wants to see them succeed both in and out of the classroom. She knows that if a student is being active on campus, they will do better in the classroom. She urges students to come and talk to her if they ever need anything, “ My door is always open.”