Ryan Jack appreciates opportunities for reflection and growth

Like all of us, Ryan Jack's journey has been shaped by his experiences. His story is one of resilience, adaptation, and finding fulfillment in helping others grow.

As the Assistant Director of Operations at the SURC, Ryan sees himself in the students he works with every day. Their struggles and aspirations mirror his own, creating a deep sense of connection and purpose in his work.

Ryan spent the first decade of his life in Oklahoma before moving to New Mexico. His father’s career as an alumni director brought the family to the town of Las Cruces, home to New Mexico State University — a transition that set the stage for Ryan’s own journey through higher education. His early years in Las Cruces shaped him in ways he didn’t fully realize at the time. The move, though challenging, instilled in him a sense of adaptability and resilience that would later define his approach to life and work.

“That was a defining time in my life, and it really helped shape me as a person,” he said. “I was really involved in school and athletics and getting prepared for college. But then my dad got a job in Ellensburg and I sort of had to start over.”

Ryan attended New Mexico State for two years, but his college career did not follow a traditional path. When his father, Daniel, accepted a position as Alumni Director at CWU in 1995, he found himself unable to afford to stay in Las Cruces alone, leading him to transfer to Central.

After taking classes for a couple quarters, he decided to take an extended break from school, pursued carpentry, and worked as a bartender at The Tav before eventually returning to complete his BA degree in Recreation Tourism in 2009.

His passion for events and hospitality was influenced by his father’s connections, including an early brush with country music legend Garth Brooks, who had once worked for Ryan’s father at Oklahoma State. However, life took unexpected turns.

The 15-year journey to earning his undergraduate degree gave Ryan a deep understanding of the struggles students face — financial challenges, discouragement, and the need to balance work and school. Today, when he sees students grappling with these same issues, he recognizes their struggles as reflections of his own past.

“My journey toward a college degree followed my own evolution as a person,” he said. “I had my struggles, and when I see those things happening in my students’ lives, I can relate to them because I’ve been through it.”

Ryan’s career took him away from Ellensburg for a few years and led him to Tacoma, where he worked at the University of Puget Sound (UPS) in dining and conference services. UPS was a unique environment, he said, because his department operated under a private institution that partnered with a management company.

That experience expanded his understanding of university operations and reinforced his belief that students are at the heart of any educational institution. This realization reaffirmed Ryan’s appreciation for student engagement and well-being, an appreciation he carries into his work at CWU.

“Whatever it may be — struggling with too many credits or too much homework, or not having enough money — you just have to learn through experience,” Ryan said.

Eventually, personal and professional motivations brought Ryan, his wife Jennifer, and their daughter Abigail, back to Ellensburg in January 2023. It was here at CWU that he found his true calling — not just in operations, but in mentorship.

As the Assistant Director of Operations in the SURC, Ryan oversees custodial services for the bookstore, dining spaces, and, most importantly, student employees. He also facilitates the production of events and oversees the media supervisor, who leads the event and media tech staff. His role is not just about managing facilities; it’s about fostering growth, responsibility, and leadership among the students who work under him.

Ryan sees himself in the students he mentors. Many of them are balancing jobs and school, just as he did. Many are trying to find their path, exploring different interests before settling into a career.

His student building managers, in particular, remind him of his younger self. These students hold some of the most critical responsibilities on campus, such as overseeing the SURC after professional staff leave, managing events, ensuring security, and responding to emergencies.

They are entrusted with major responsibilities at a young age, much like Ryan was when he navigated his own work experiences. He understands the pressure they feel and the confidence they gain from handling real-world challenges. He remembers what it was like to work late nights and long hours, to feel overwhelmed yet empowered by responsibility. And now, he gets to guide students through those same experiences.

Ryan’s belief in mentorship extends beyond just professional skills. He recognizes that many students are searching for a sense of belonging. Ryan himself was once unsure of his direction, taking time off from school, working in different industries, and finding his way back.

He understands the importance of patience, encouragement, and second chances. He sees students who doubt themselves — who struggle to juggle work and academics — and he reassures them that setbacks are not failures; they are merely part of the process. His own journey proves that there is no single “right” path, only the one that works best for each individual.

“You have to learn to manage your time and basic life skills that will help you become a successful professional,” Ryan said. “But, for people like me — and many of the college students we work with — it sometimes takes a little longer to figure out.”

Outside of work, Ryan enjoys golfing and finds peace in fly fishing on the Yakima River— a unique environment for catch-and-release fishing, a pastime that helps him reflect and unwind. Just as these hobbies require patience, understanding, and adaptation to changing conditions, so does working with students. They are constantly evolving, learning, and growing, much like he did over the years. People, like fish, must navigate their own currents and find their own way.

Ryan says one of the most rewarding aspects of his job is witnessing students grow. He sees them start as unsure employees, gradually gaining confidence and skills that will serve them beyond their university years. He takes pride in knowing that the lessons they learn under his supervision — leadership, problem-solving, teamwork — will carry them forward into their careers and personal lives. Watching them succeed is a reflection of his own journey, a reminder that growth is a continuous process.

“I think it’s important to remember that we all come from different backgrounds, and we’re all starting from a different place in school and in our work,” he said. “Sometimes it’s helpful to break everything down for people, even if you think of it as a basic skill. Not everyone has been taught how to do certain skills, and we need to give them time and then assess them individually, not just from our own perspective.”

Ryan’s connection to students extends beyond his direct interactions. He appreciates the broader university community and the people who dedicate themselves to making CWU special. He acknowledges that university staff and faculty are not in it for wealth but for the impact they can have on students. This shared dedication to mentorship and service reinforces his belief that he is exactly where he is meant to be.

In reflecting on his experiences, Ryan recognizes that his life has come full circle. The challenges he faced as a student, the jobs he worked, the uncertainty he overcame — all of it shaped him into the mentor and leader he is today.

He understands the students he serves because he once was them. And in them, he continues to see himself.

This deep sense of connection drives him to show up every day, to answer late-night phone calls, to train and guide students, and to create an environment where they can thrive. Because at the end of the day, their success is his success. Their struggles are ones he understands. And their growth is a reflection of his own journey.

“I really see the benefit of building up everyone around you,” Ryan said. “Instead of competing with everyone and trying to get ahead, it’s better when we can work together and work toward common goals. I believe in the quote, ‘Rising tides lift all boats.’ That’s kind of my philosophy in work and in life. We’re here to share knowledge and help one another, not make others feel inferior.”

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Author Staci Sleigh-Layman is the former Associate Vice President of Human Resources, who retired from CWU in August 2025. She completed a series of CWU employee features last year, and they are running periodically on Central Today.