February 2026

Bulldog Families,

There are some things we can count on in New England: cold, wind, and snow; the groundhog seeing his shadow predicting six more weeks of winter; and -- after a six-year hiatus --the Patriots returning to the Super Bowl!

While the groundhog may have given a bleak forecast, there is a bright outlook on campus with a number of fantastic events ahead: annual Lunar New Year dinner, Black Excellence Showcase to celebrate Black History Month, Much Ado About Nothing at the Mainstage (check the Box Office for tickets!), Bulldogs basketball and volleyball, and more! Many eyes will also focus on the Winter Olympics in Italy, where human interest stories will catapult the largely unknown to become overnight heroes. These moments offer valuable life lessons as we witness passion, dedication and perseverance -- qualities that our students can draw upon in their own academic journeys. When faced with academic challenges, students can make use of all of the great resources on campus (office hours, peer tutors, study groups) and push themselves to limits they may have thought impossible.

We were excited to celebrate our prospective graduates with our traditional 100 Days to Graduation event. We will continue to mark the milestones as we march toward the 160 Commencement Exercises.

Enjoy the articles and information that follow, and please note that contacts for key campus offices can be found at the end of the newsletter.

Best,

Dave Drucker, M. Ed.

Associate Vice President, Student Life & Dean of Students

160th Commencement Exercises

Greetings from the Commencement Committee!  

The countdown to commencement has begun, with our celebration of 100 Days to Commencement on Thursday, January 29. Casino Night in the Student Center Atrium was a LOT of fun and a great way to kick-off the next 100 days! 

Families of our soon-to-be-graduates should start making plans to be with us on Saturday, May 9. We encourage you to explore our commencement webpages for information and details. A list of hotels families may want to consider as they are making their weekend plans are posted there. 

Here are two details you should know about Dean's Commencement:  

1. The ceremony is held outside in front of Dean Hall, rain or shine. If rain is predicted, we encourage you to bring rain gear. However, please note that umbrellas are not allowed because they obstruct the view of others. In addition, we may delay the commencement ceremony to allow weather to pass. 
2. The ceremony will be live streamed, so family members and guests who are unable to be here in person will still be able watch the ceremony.  

To support your soon-to-be-graduate at this point in their final semester, ask them if they’ve: 

• Purchased the textbooks and materials they need to be successful in their courses? 
• Are getting enough sleep and exercise? 
• Completed their graduation application and ordered their cap and gown? 

We are looking forward to celebrating our soon-to-be graduates throughout the semester! If you have any questions, please visit the commencement webpages and/or contact commencement@dean.edu. 

Academic Support at the Morton Family Learning Center

Academic Coaching is a specialized, fee-based academic support service offered through the Learning Center; it is available in individual (one-on-one) or small group formats (2-3 students per coach). Students and families may contact the Learning Center directly at 508-541-1768 or email learning@dean.edu to register or to learn more about scheduling weekly meetings with an Academic Coach, who can support students with notetaking, time management, organization, study strategies, and test preparation.



The Office of Residence Life

Spring Break: Plan Ahead!

The residence halls will close for Spring Break on Friday, March 6, 2026, at 6:30 PM and will reopen on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 12:00 PM.

Need to request a late departure or stay on campus during break? Students must submit a Request via the Thanksgiving, Winter & Spring Break Housing Request form on eRezLife. 

2026-2027 Housing Selection Process:

Information about the 2026-2027 Housing Selection Process for returning residents will be available this month! Details will be posted on the Residence Life page on myDean and sent directly to student emails.

To be eligible for housing selection, returning residents must:

-Complete the housing application

-Submit their enrollment deposit

-Clear any account holds with Student Financial Planning & Services

Stay tuned for full details in next month’s newsletter!

Upcoming Event: Treats in the Streets

Are your students curious about their housing options? Encourage them to attend Treats in the Streets on March 18th! This program allows students to tour upperclassmen residence hall rooms and meet with Residence Life staff to ask any questions. More information will be shared in next month’s newsletter!

Apply to be a Resident Assistant!

For students looking to gain more leadership experience Resident Assistant applications open this Monday, February 9th! Students will gain experience in community building, conflict management, programming, and so much more! Encourage your student to reach out to Assistant Director Jay Hinkle for more information or stop by one of the tabling sessions on the Student Center Concourse.

Gain valuable experience in:

Community building & programming

Conflict management

Leadership development

For more information, contact Assistant Director Jay Hinkle at jhinkle@dean.edu, or stop by one of our tabling sessions next week on the Student Center Concourse. Applications close February 23!

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Residence Life at 508.541.1838.

Robbins Family Center for Advising and Career Planning

🎉 We’ve Moved — Come See Us! 🎉

The Career Center has a new home, and we’re excited to welcome students in! We’re now located on the second floor of the Paula M. Rooney Student Center, just across from CC205 and CC206.

Encourage your student to stop by and explore the new space—home to our fully stocked Career Closet and a large, multi-purpose room perfect for career prep meetings, virtual interviews, and more. Whether they’re polishing a resume or gearing up for interviews, we’re here to help them take the next step with confidence.

✨ February Events Students Won’t Want to Miss (more details can be found on myDean):

Feb 6 | 10:30–11:30am — Resume Refresh (Career Center)

Feb 12 | 5:00–6:30pm— Sip & Shop the Career Closet (Career Center)

Feb 18 | 11:00 a.m.–1:00pm — Mock Interview Prep (Career Center)

Feb 27 | 10:30–11:30am — LinkedIn Refresh (Career Center)

We can’t wait to see your student in our new space—tell them to stop by and check it out! 🚀

📅 Save the Date: Friday, March 27 — The Spring 2026 Opportunities Fair will welcome employers and graduate schools to campus. More details coming soon!

Stay connected.

Career workshops, drop-in hours, and events will be posted on the Career Services page on myDean by the end of the first week of the semester. A quick nudge from home can go a long way.

Progress over perfection.

Career development doesn’t happen overnight. Small, consistent steps each semester help students feel prepared and empowered.

Calendar Planning

When seeking information about Dean College calendar dates, please use the Official Academic Calendar that is posted on the Dean College website under the heading Academics. Please do not use Google or other internet search engines for the calendar as it is likely to produce outdated and incorrect information.

Key Dates for Spring Semester 2026

Tuesday, January 20, Spring Semester Classes Begin

Monday, February 16- Presidents' Day- No Classes- Administrative Offices Closed

Monday, March 9- Friday, March 13- Spring Break- No Classes

Monday, April 20- Patriots' Day- No Classes- Administrative Offices Closed

Monday, May 4- Thursday, May 7- Finals Week- Non-graduating students must vacate their room three hours after their last final

Saturday, May 9- Commencement- 11am

What's Cooking?

A look at the month ahead in the Smith Dining Center. There will be cooking lessons at the U cook station offered by Chef Eric, and we have expanded our Meal Exchange menu in Boomers. Tell your Bulldog to check it out...

Study Away Application Deadline is Fast Approaching!

The Study Away Application Deadline is fast approaching!  Students interested in studying away in summer 2026 or fall 2026 must submit their internal pre-approval application by February 15, 2026. This application is available on the Study Away department page on myDean, and is submitted to Melissa Read, Study Away Program Director, at mread@dean.edu.   

Dean College provides a wide variety of opportunities for students, both in the United States and in over fifty countries around the world. We encourage you to explore the study away program possibilities with your student, all from the comfort of your home. Students interested in learning more may contact Melissa Read at mread@dean.edu or stop by her office (LLS 313) on Tuesdays, between 2-3 pm, to learn more.   

Student Financial Planning and Services

Changes to Federal Student Loans from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Affects Federal Student Aid

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law on July 4, 2025 and introduces significant changes to federal student aid. The Department of Education has not yet issued a final version of the regulation. We are awaiting guidance on implementation and are closely monitoring how these changes will impact our students and families.

Key Updates to Federal Loans

The new law introduces changes to how students and families finance higher education. Below are the important updates that are effective July 1, 2026, and will impact Dean College families:

·     Parents of dependent undergraduate students who take out the Direct Parent PLUS loan will now have an annual borrowing limit of $20,000 per student and a lifetime limit of $65,000 per student.

·     A new income-driven repayment plan called the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) will be introduced. For new borrowers, this and a new standard repayment plan will be the available options.

For Dean College students who plan to pursue graduate studies, they should be aware that the Graduate PLUS Loan program, which allowed graduate and professional students to borrow up to the full cost of attendance, has been eliminated for new borrowers.

Legacy Provisions

The following legacy provisions apply to current borrowers who take out a federal student or parent loan before July 1, 2026. This means that if you have a Direct Parent PLUS Loan disbursed before July 1, 2026, while your student is enrolled in a program, you may be able to continue to borrow for up to three academic years or until the end of the program, whichever comes first.

Current Loan Borrowers

·     The annual Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Student Loan borrowing limits remain the same.

·     Parent PLUS borrowers may continue borrowing under the previous annual and lifetime limits for up to three academic years or until the end of their student’s program, whichever comes first.

New Loan Borrowers

The following regulations apply to new borrowers who take out their first federal student or parent loan as of July 1, 2026.

·     The annual Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Student Loan borrowing limits remain the same.

·     Parent PLUS Loan borrowers now have an annual borrowing limit of $20,000 per student and a lifetime aggregate limit of $65,000 per student.

Important Notes:

·     Undergraduate student loan limits remain the same, but the One Big Beautiful Bill Act also introduced a new loan pro-ration that will impact eligibility based on the credits the student is enrolled in annually. Students should consult with SFP prior to dropping courses to fully understand the impact on available borrowing.

·     The implementation date of July 1, 2026, applies to when loan funds are disbursed. This means the first disbursement of the loan needs to be prior to this date to be eligible for the legacy provisions. Families taking out their first loan for the 2026-27 academic year will have loans disbursed in September of 2026 regardless of when the loan is applied for or approved.

·     For parents planning their annual borrowing, the $65,000 lifetime limit considered equally over a 4-year undergraduate program would actually be $16,250 per academic year. If a parent borrows the maximum of $20,000 per year for the first three years, their borrowing in the final year would be limited to the $5000 remaining in the lifetime limit.

What Can You Do Now?

·     Review your current loans. Log in to studentaid.gov to check your borrowing history and lifetime totals.

·     Understand the transition rules. Borrowing before July 1, 2026, may allow continued access to current loan options for a limited time.

·     Budget carefully. With lower federal loan limits for some students, consider exploring private loan options, scholarships, payment plans, and other possible funding options.

·     Stay informed. SFP will continue to provide updates as the Department of Education releases details.

The implementation of these changes is a fluid situation. The Department of Education has not yet provided operational guidance to institutions. Student Financial Planning will keep the Dean College community up to date as new information becomes available.  

 As always, if you have any questions, you can contact the Center for Student Financial Planning and Services at sfp@dean.edu or via phone at (508)-541-1518. 

February – Financial Aid Awareness Month #FinAidFeb 

In February, the higher education community celebrates Financial Aid Awareness Month. Student Financial Planning will be available in the Student Center concourse throughout the month to answer any financial questions. Student should visit MyDean Events for specific dates and times for pop-ups!  

FAFSA Raffle - 2026-27 FAFSA is Open! 

Filing your FAFSA just got more exciting! To encourage early filing, we’re launching a Monthly FAFSA Raffle — and the earlier you file, the more chances you have to win! 

🎟️ How it works: 

• File your 2026-2027 FAFSA before Dean’s priority deadline of March 15. 
• Get entered into our monthly raffle — with extra entries the earlier you file! 
• Filing in February = 2 entries 
• Filing up to March 15th – 1 entry 

💸 Prizes include: 

Gift cards, Dean swag, and other student favorites — drawn every month! 

📅 Don’t wait — more entries = more chances to win. 

💵Some aid is available on a first come first serve basis. Earlier filing=better chance of receiving certain aid. 

✅ Start your FAFSA today: www.studentaid.gov  

Questions or help needed filing the FAFSA? Email us at sfp@dean.edu or call 508-541-1518 and we can set up an in-person or Teams meeting to help you through the process! 

Let’s make FAFSA season rewarding in more ways than one! 

Dean College Students Shine at the American College Theatre Festival 

Dean College proudly sent 12 students and one faculty member to represent the College at the American College Theatre Festival (ACTF) from January 27 to February 1. Selected by ACTF respondents for their outstanding work over the past year in Breath of Stars, The Wolves, Freaky Friday, and Cabaret, these students demonstrated the depth of talent and dedication within Dean’s theatre program. 

The group included eight performing artists—Helenna Clanton, Aiden Day, Ryan Irvin, Kayleigh Lyons, Emily Marino, Grace Salsbury, Kylan Tremblay, and Mikayla Wray—and four technical artists: Jeremy Hartman-Chait, Ryan Fraine, Jillian Miller, and Sydney Stevens. 

In the weeks leading up to the festival, students devoted countless hours to preparing monologues, scenes, musical selections across genres, annotated scripts, and lighting designs. Their preparation paid off. Throughout the week, Dean students and faculty stood out as they presented their work in front of peers, faculty, and theatre professionals from across the region and the country. 

With more than 700 artists in attendance, the festival offered a rich immersion into the professional theatre community. Students experienced performances from other institutions, participated in workshops, and began forming connections that will support their artistic futures. Many also reconnected with peers from previous programs and reflected on their growth as artists within this larger creative landscape. 

Faculty from other institutions noted the exceptional commitment, professionalism, and craft demonstrated by Dean students’ feedback that was both affirming and heartwarming. 

Dean students competed in multiple areas, including the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship, Musical Theatre Initiative, Stage Management, and Lighting Design. Several advanced beyond preliminary rounds and earned notable recognition:

• Mikayla Wray – Finalist, Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship 
• Aiden Day – Finalist, Musical Theatre Initiative; 3rd Place Overall 
• Kayleigh Lyons – Awarded a scholarship to the Open Jar Institute Summer Broadway Intensive 
• Jeremy Hartman-Chait – Recipient, Design Technology and Management Heart of the Art Award 



We could not be prouder of how these students represented Dean College and the excellence they continue to demonstrate in their craft. 

From the President to the Dean of the School of the Arts, and to the faculty and staff who help shape these artists every day—thank you for supporting their journey and success. 

2025-2026 Performing Arts Season

Hey families, we are very excited for our spring performances at Dean. Don't miss out on the tremendous talents of our Bulldogs. Tickets are on sale now!

February 18-22, 2026

Much Ado About Nothing

One of Shakespeare’s last comedies, “Much Ado About Nothing” was first presented in 1598 and feels as contemporary as if it were written yesterday. The classic play is chock-full of surprises, laughs, relationships that feel familiar, and unforgettable characters navigating their way through impossible circumstances.



February 27-28, 2026

Choreographers’ Concert

Dean student choreographers will have selected works showcased and adjudicated by renowned industry professionals in this concert. Each of the three performances will have a different program of student work followed by a feedback session that is free and open to the public.

April 8-12, 2026

The Prom

In this comedic and heartwarming musical, four Broadway stars come together to support a high school girl in a small town who faces backlash from the school’s PTA for wanting to attend prom with her girlfriend. Winner of the Drama Desk Award for Best Musical, The Prom expertly captures all the humor and heart of a classic musical comedy with a message that resonates with audiences now more than ever.

April 23-26, 2026

Dance Company

Faculty and guest choreographers will showcase the impressive talent of Dean’s dance majors through a variety of new and restaged dance works, featuring a diverse program of dance genres.

April 26-27, 2026

Theatre Senior Showcase

Featuring scenes, songs, and monologues, the “Theatre Senior Showcase” is a celebration of the Class of 2026 and the cohort’s formal introduction to the professional theatre community.

May 1-2, 2026

Dance Senior Showcase

Dean’s talented senior dance students share their choreography, performance, and production expertise in this annual collaborative showcase.

Dean has moved to a ticketless validation system for all events. There are two ways to receive your online tickets: digitally, via your mobile device (highly preferred), or by printing your receipt at home and picking up your tickets at the Will Call line at the Main Stage kiosk starting 60 minutes prior to performances with a valid ID. All events and performances are subject to change. Please visit www.dean.edu/performance for all up-to-date times and applicable venue policies. Ticket holders who do not comply with venue policies will not be admitted.

Please note: Dean College welcomes children and families to our performances. However, infants and children under 2 years of age are not allowed in the theatre, and an adult must accompany children under 16. All patrons must have their own ticketed seats; lap sitting is not permitted. Only ADA-certified service animals are allowed in the theatre.

Great indoor action on the hardwood for Bulldogs basketball and volleyball

The Bulldogs continue to put on a good show in Pieri and versus their GNAC opponents. The men and women swept a doubleheader over New England College on Saturday. Men's volleyball has won two of its first five matches with a preseason ranking of eighth in the GNAC. Congratulations to senior Hunter Armitage on reaching 1000 career assists. Hunter is the first in the men's volleyball program to reach this milestone!

Schedule a trip to Pieri Gymnasium and watch all of the great action in-person. Can't make it to the game? No problem. Follow the live stream with links in the respective schedules on the athletics website. Admission is free for all regular season contests.

Spring sports will begin their seasons in a few short weeks. Let's Go Bulldogs!

Getting Around Town -Free Shuttle for Students- GATRA GO

Reminder that students can download the Gatra Go United app for a free rideshare service available to them Monday through Friday 6:30am-8pm, Saturday 9am-8pm and Sunday 9am- 6pm. We will provide directions on the student portal (myDean) as there is a special Dean College code for our community.

Students can use the service for Franklin and the neighboring towns of Foxboro, Wrentham, Norfolk, and Bellingham. Students have the opportunity to visit grocery stores, retail shopping centers, restaurants, and movie theatres. This includes Wrentham Outlets (Wrentham) and Patriot Place (Foxboro).

Students who choose to leave and return to campus before and after the hours provided by Gatra Go must obtain their own transportation (friend, rideshare, etc.). Campus Police and Safety cannot leave campus for non-emergency transportation needs.