Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
I hope that you are enjoying J-Term and looking forward to an exciting new year. I write to share some administrative updates in Student Life.
Effective August 1, Katy Smith Abbott, who has been serving as Associate Dean of the College since 2007, will assume the role of Dean of Students. In this capacity, she will continue to work closely with the Dean of the College, Commons Heads and Deans to support initiatives related to the residential and intellectual lives of students in their Commons communities. Katy will oversee and support the work of the staff in the Center for Campus Activities and Leadership, including their work with new student orientation. Alongside the College’s Judicial Affairs Officer, Commons Deans, and the Dean of the College, she will work to identify and address community issues that will likely warrant attention and support. Katy will continue to teach annually in the Department of History of Art and Architecture. When Katy returns from her leave, her office will be located in McCullough.
This past fall, Jennifer Herrera transitioned to Student Life from the Office for Institutional Diversity where she had been coordinating and managing diversity programming and events since 2004. It is important to note that all the work of the Office for Institutional Diversity is now folded into the work and structure of the Dean of the College Office. In her new role, as my Special Assistant and Senior Advisor for Diversity Initiatives, Jennifer will coordinate and oversee several campus-wide diversity initiatives, special projects, and communications for the Dean of the College Office. She will collaborate with members of Student Life and other areas of the College to ensure appropriate cultural/diversity programs and support for students from all backgrounds. Jennifer will continue to develop and support campus-wide educational programming and events on diversity-related topics in collaboration with other offices and centers on campus. She will assist the Dean of the College with the management of Middlebury’s Posse Program and work with the Center for Campus Activities and Leadership to support and advise student groups in planning diversity-related events. Jennifer’s office is now located in McCullough.
Gus Jordan has recently transitioned into his new role as Executive Director of Health and Counseling Services. Gus has previously served as Associate Dean of the College, Acting Dean of the College, and, most recently, as Dean of Students. In his new role as Executive Director, Gus will oversee the Parton Health Center, the Center for Counseling and Human Relations, Sports Medicine, and the Office of Health and Wellness Education. Gus will continue to teach regularly in the Department of Psychology. Gus’s office is now located in Centeno House.
Ian Sutherland has officially begun his position as the new dean of Cook Commons. Alongside Commons Head Pat Zupan, he will collaborate with members of Student Life and the Dean of the College to guide and support students and oversee Cook Commons. This past fall, Ian came to Middlebury from Gallaudet University where he served as a faculty member in the Department of Foreign Languages for 15 years, and most recently as Chairman. Ian will teach regularly in the Department of Classics as visiting associate professor. Ian’s office is located in Battell North.
I hope that you share my excitement about these transitions. I am confident that Katy, Jennifer, Gus, and Ian will continue to contribute greatly to the success of Student Life at the College.
Best,
Shirley M. Collado
Dean of the College
Chief Diversity Officer