Judy Mitchell, dean of the College of Education, passed away June 26 at her home in Pullman.

“It’s so unexpected,” said Xyanthe Neider, a graduate student in the College of Education and a former president of the Education Graduate Organization. “It’s such a horrible surprise.” Mitchell made herself available as both a mentor and administrator, Neider said. She was supportive of EGO and the Student Washington Education Association.

Past EGO president Joan O’sa Oviawe said Mitchell gave the organization an annual budget so it could provide food at meetings and funding for students to attend the annual Globalization, Diversity and Education Conference.

Though Mitchell’s position as dean kept her on a tight schedule, she always made time for her students, said Mari Stair, a doctoral candidate in teaching and learning. Mitchell’s accessibility and open-door policy set her apart and made her more personable.

“She was a very busy person, but because (EGO) asked for her input as a dean she opened herself up to meetings to answer our questions,” graduate student Gail Gleason said. “And if she saw you in the hall, she would always stop to say, ‘Hi.’” Besides being a mentor and dean, Mitchell was also a sports fan, Gleason said. Every year before the homecoming football game, Mitchell would hold an event within the college so that graduate students could meet with alumni and then go as a group to the game.

Mitchell was described by Gleason as fascinating, intelligent and, “always funny.” Mitchell taught at the University of Arizona for nearly 20 years before leaving to work as interim executive director of the Center for Excellence in Education at Northern Arizona University. In 1998, she came to work for WSU.

“She was good friends with all the deans,” said Kim Holapa, director of development for the College of Education. “She had been here longer than any of them as a dean so she had a unique role in that group.” Holapa, who worked directly for Mitchell for the past four years, frequently traveled with her on fundraising trips. On these trips, Mitchell expressed her pride in her students.

“She repeatedly told alumni and donors how proud she was of her students,” Holapa said. “She was impressed with the high quality of kids that chose teaching as a profession.” Mitchell will be missed by her staff, students and friends.

“There’s a lot of healing that needs to be done,” Stair said.