Faces on Campus – Ana Korsmo

Ana Korsmo serves as the assistant to the dean, working closely with the administrative operations manager. She can usually be found at the main entrance of the campus, ready to welcome students and visitors to Northeastern University—Seattle. Ana holds a bachelor’s degree in English and printing and publishing from Pacific Lutheran University. Prior to joining Northeastern, she worked with South Seattle College for seven years.

Hi Ana! How long have you been in Seattle?

Pretty much my whole life! I grew up in West Seattle; I spent a couple of years living in a few other places, but mostly, my whole life I’ve been in Seattle.

I went to Chief Sealth High School in West Seattle. It is much bigger now than it was when I went! My graduating class was 98 students and now each graduating class is somewhere in the upper hundreds! They did a lovely big expansion right after I graduated so it looks a lot fancier now than when I attended.

I did my bachelor’s program at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, so it wasn’t very far away. I very, very briefly lived on the East Coast–the experience cemented in my mind that I’m a West Coast girl! I love visiting my friends out east, but I don’t want to live there.

I’ve known my husband, Aaron, for a long time. He grew up in Washington and Oregon, so he’s a Pacific Northwest local, too! We’ve been married for six years. We have a 4-year-old son, Archer, and a 1-year-old daughter, Astrid. They’re amazing, but they definitely keep me on my toes!

Tell us about your role at Northeastern University-Seattle.

Well, you can almost always find me at the 401 front desk, I’m happy to answer any questions about the campus that come my way! If I don’t know the answer, I’ll direct you to the person who does. My main responsibility is supporting Anne Maria (Jacobson) with the operations on campus, as well as the campus events that she organizes. I also support the admissions team with recruiting events.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I think we have the best students! I like being able to see our students during the day at 401, and I love watching the campus grow. I also really like my co-workers, we have an amazing student-focused team that I enjoy working with every day. The thing I appreciate most, though, is that Northeastern gives me a great work/life balance. My kids love getting to visit campus occasionally, but they’re really happy that I’m able to come home at the same time each day.

What’s something crazy that has happened on the Seattle campus?

Early one morning in the first month that I started working here, I was at the front desk and there was nobody else in Suite 103. A guy walked by wearing a leather jacket and jeans, and in full cat makeup. Like, a totally normal outfit, but full-on “could go on the Broadway show Cats makeup and hair.” It was so surreal! I didn’t take a picture, and there was nobody else around to say, “Yep, I saw that too!” He just walked right on by, very casual, no big deal! That’s South Lake Union for you!