What is your role within the department?

My official title is Senior Department Administrative Coordinator. I see my role as making sure that students can learn, that faculty can teach, and that the building stays standing. I want to make this place, and the people in this community, as effective as possible. No two days here are alike. I handle nuts-and-bolts — things like budget, curriculum, and registration, but I spend a lot of my day responding to whatever may come my way. My door is almost always open. I’m used to having to switch gears.

What is your background / expertise?  

I’ve been here in the ID department since 2009. My previous life was spent commuting to Boston working in the finance industry, followed by a few years working in alumnae and donor relations at a private school.  If there’s a common thread through this path, it’s that I like keeping order — or rather, corralling chaos - and making connections with people.  

What excites you about working at RISD?

I always say that I am the students’ biggest fan. I love this community, and I think the people in this department are great. The students go off to be leaders in their fields. So  part of my job is encouraging students to leave this place better than they found it, so that they in turn go off and make the world better.

ConTact InfoRMATION:

( email ) : mbuttenh@risd.edu or ( call ) : 401 454 6160