Heather Thrush, Associate Dean for Student Engagement and Success, has 18 years of experience in student services in higher education and is starting her ninth year at Wabash College. Thrush is originally from Indianapolis, IN, but moved to Montgomery County (Waveland, IN) in 1990 and graduated from Southmont High School in 1993. She received her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University Southeast (IUSE) in 1997, and her master’s degree from Murray State (KY) University in 2000. Thrush played collegiate basketball for IUSE and in her senior season earned the team’s Scholastic Achievement Award, KIAC Conference Player of the Year honors, and was a Second Team NAIA All-American.
Thrush spent her first four years out of college working as an assistant women’s basketball coach, one year for Olney Central College and three years at Murray State University. Over the years, she has transitioned from coaching basketball to coaching students to achieve academic success.
At Wabash, Thrush coordinates Disability Services, New Student Orientation, Title IX, the Wabash Interaction Network (WIN Report System), and the Counseling Center. The Student Health Center also reports to her. Thrush says, “Working with young people is my passion and seeing them walk across the stage at graduation is the highlight of my year!”
She and her husband, Cory, have a 17-year-old daughter, Allee. They also have three cats, Cheddar, Flounder, and Stoney. Thrush enjoys spending time with her family, landscaping, gardening, watching Wabash sports, yoga, swimming, and traveling. She and her husband recently returned from a trip to Italy and are looking forward to future traveling adventures!
You can reach Heather at thrushh@wabash.edu