November/December 2025

Bulldog Families,

The holiday season begins for some as soon as the last piece of Halloween candy is handed out; for others it doesn't start until every bite of Thanksgiving dinner has been enjoyed. While many will disagree on which timing is correct, something that cannot be debated is that our college semester is rapidly coming to its conclusion. The same anxieties about finding the perfect gift can be felt as students craft the perfect paper, practice endlessly for an in-class presentation and pull an all-nighter for those last exams.

We will provide plenty of opportunities for student breaks during the first week in December with a host of Winter Week activities including our traditional Holiday Lighting on Awpie Way. Please continue sending those motivating and supportive messages from home to assist your student through the finish line. Positive thoughts are a critical component of success. Speaking of success, congratulations to the women's field hockey team as they recently captured the college's first GNAC championship! You'll find more coverage of this terrific achievement below. We also extend a special shout out to our December graduates. We are incredibly proud of all they've accomplished and the lasting impact they've made at Dean. Thank you for supporting them every step of the way. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

For many of us at Dean, the Thanksgiving Dinner is our favorite campus tradition. Enjoy a few pictures below as we gave thanks for being part of a wonderful community. There were over 500 students in attendance!

As always, contact information for key campus offices can be found at the end of the newsletter. Wishing all of our Bulldog families a joyful and safe holiday season.

Best,

Dave Drucker, M. Ed.

Associate Vice President, Student Life & Dean of Students

The Office of Residence Life

The Office of Residence Life is dedicated to creating a warm and welcoming community for our residents, with programs thoughtfully crafted by students, for students. This Fall, our Resident Assistants (RA) have hosted a variety of events designed to help students connect with one another, explore campus resources, and support their transition to life on campus! As we move into November, we are especially excited to continue in this spirit of community at our Annual Thanksgiving Dinner, served by staff and faculty on Thursday, November 20 at 5pm in the Smith Dining Center. For all upcoming Residence Life programs, events, or celebrations happening across campus, please encourage your students to visit the event calendar on eRezLife and follow us @dean.reslife!

Upcoming Break Information

Thanksgiving Break

The residence halls will close on Tuesday, November 25 at 6:30pm for Thanksgiving Break. Students who need to request a late departure or stay on campus over break must submit a Break Request Form via eRezLife by Thursday, November 20. Hall meetings to review important break information are scheduled for the week of November 17. After the break, we look forward to welcoming students back on Sunday, November 30, when the residence halls reopen at 12noon.

Winter Break

Residents are required to depart two hours after the completion of their last exam. All residence halls will close on Thursday, December 11 at 6:30pm for Winter Break. Before leaving, students are asked to clean out their fridges, unplug appliances, remove all trash, and exercise caution when leaving any valuables in their room. Students needing to stay beyond the closing date must submit a Break Request Form via eRezLife by Wednesday, December 3.

Plan Ahead: Residence halls re-open for the Spring semester on Sunday, January 18, and classes will begin on Tuesday, January 20.

Robbins Family Center for Advising and Career Planning

Prep for Break!

As students gear up for winter break, Career Services is offering a series of drop-in hours for anyone looking to explore internship opportunities, plan ahead, or stay engaged with career readiness over the break. We encourage all students to check myDean for our drop-in schedule before heading home!

Career Closet Donations

We’ve been thrilled to see so many students visiting the Career Closet this semester, and we’re working hard to keep our collection stocked and ready for them. If you’re planning to clean out your wardrobe this winter, we’d love to give your gently used professional clothing a second life. Every donation helps students feel confident and prepared for interviews, internships, and professional events. Items can be dropped off at the Robbins Family Center for Advising & Career Planning! Reach out to careers@dean.edu for more information.

Opportunities Fair Success!

We were excited to see so many students take meaningful steps toward their futures at this year’s Opportunities Fair. Nearly 200 students connected with employers, graduate programs, and campus partners, building confidence and practicing their career-readiness skills. In the weeks leading up to the event, our Career Closet and Success Studio were busier than ever as students prepared résumés and picked up professional attire. We’re proud of their momentum and excited to see these connections turn into real opportunities.

Academic Support at the Morton Family Learning Center

The Morton Family Learning Center offers a wide range of academic support services to help students prepare for finals. Study labs, skill-building workshops, and tutoring—along with presentation support through the Berenson Center for Writing, Mathematics & Presentation Excellence—are all available.

We encourage students to visit the Learning Center page on myDean for details about these resources.

Happy Holidays from all of us at the Learning Center!

Calendar Planning

When seeking information about Dean College calendar dates, please use the Official Academic Calendar that is listed 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

Sunday, January 18- Residence Halls Re-open, Check-in for All Students, New Student Orientation begins

Monday, January 19 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day- No Classes- Administrative Offices Closed

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

Now is the perfect time to look forward not only to celebrating all that has been achieved during the Fall 2025 term, but also to think about the opportunities available in Summer 2026 and Fall 2026. Participating in Dean’s Study Away Program is one of those exciting opportunities. 

Why study away? One of the most exciting and transformative experiences a student can have during college is to study away. It truly is life changing. It sets students apart when they get ready to apply for jobs or graduate school. Studies have shown that studying away has a positive impact on developing top-notch 21^st century skills and expands career possibilities not only immediately after graduation but throughout one’s career. In fact, a recent Dean participant stated that studying in London for a semester was the reason she was hired for a competitive summer internship in her field. And, it’s fun! 

What are the options? Dean College’s Study Away Program offers three pathways designed to meet a wide range of interests and needs, both within the U.S. and in more than 50 countries worldwide:

·      In June 2026, Dean College is offering a 4-week experience in Berlin, Germany. The application deadline is February 1, 2026.  

·      2-week to 6-week experiences in the U.S. or abroad during the summer.

·      Full-semester or academic year opportunities in the U.S. or abroad. Dean is a proud member of the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), a network of over 300 colleges and universities around the world. Students at a U.S.-based institution may apply to be an exchange student in over 50 countries around the world, living and studying at outstanding universities abroad. Students will pay tuition, room and board to Dean as they normally would, and then obtain (or update) their passport and any needed visas plus a plane ticket. 

When can I study away and what are the criteria? Students can participate in courses with trips at any point, and must meet any required course prerequisites. For longer experiences (2-weeks to a full academic year), students generally study away anytime between 2^nd semester of their sophomore year through to 1^st semester of their senior year. Students must have a 3.00 cumulative GPA.

How do I apply? Students first complete the internal pre-approval application, and then they complete the external study away application. The internal application deadline to study away for Summer 2026 or Fall 2026 is no later than February 15, 2026.

What do I do next? Interested students should plan to attend an information session about our study abroad exchange opportunities in January 2026 – watch myDean for the announcement. Students may also meet with Melissa Read, Director of the Study Away Program. Contact her at mread@dean.edu to schedule a time to meet.  

Counseling Services

The office of Counseling Services will be closed from December 12th at 5pm through January 19th. Students needing access to support for their mental health are encouraged to contact their mental health provider from home. If a student does not have a current mental health provider, students can access mental health support through any of the following resources below:

https://988lifeline.org/

https://www.crisistextline.org/

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline https://nami.org/help

The Counseling office will reopen to students on January 20th, 2026.

We hope all Dean students enjoy a restful winter break. Can’t wait to see you all next year!

Student Financial Planning and Services

FAFSA Raffle - 2026-27 FAFSA is Open!

Filing your FAFSA just got more exciting! To encourage early filing, we’ve launched 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!

o Filing in December = 4 entries

o Filing in January = 3 entries

o Filing in February = 2 entries

o 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!

 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. 

Spring 2026 Interest-Free Payment Plan

We have partnered with Nelnet Campus Commerce to offer affordable payment plans, so you can stress less about paying for your student’s college tuition. Here are even more perks you can take advantage of when you choose a payment plan:

Easy Enrollment

Securely enroll in the right plan for your family and make tuition payments in stress-free monthly installments.

Flexible Payment Options

Make affordable monthly payments that better fit your financial needs rather than making one big payment at the start of every semester. The 6-month interest free payment plan option opens December 1st.

Stay Informed

Sign up for alerts, text messages, emails, and more, so you never miss out on important information about your student’s tuition payments.

Interest-Free Payments

Split tuition up into monthly payments without worrying about added interest.

Spring 2026 Bills



Bills for the Spring 2026 semester will be available the first week of December on the Student Account Portal and will be due by January 3rd.

If you do not have access already, your student can provide you access by logging into their Student Account Portal and clicking “Add an Authorized Party” on their home screen. You will then receive an electronic invitation to set up your very own credentials.

Dean College Announces 2025-2026 Performing Arts Season

Celebrating a Semester of Stellar Productions

This fall has been remarkable for the Schools of Performing Arts! Our theatre students brought raw intensity and fierce ensemble work to The Wolves, showcasing the depth of talent in our programs through this powerful all-female production. Cabaret captivated audiences night after night in a completely sold-out run, with brilliant design work that transformed our space into an immersive theatrical experience. Most recently, our dancers presented the Fall Dance Concert, featuring original student choreography performed in an intimate setting that allowed audiences to witness the creative voices of our emerging artists up close.

We're excited to continue the momentum this weekend with our New Dancer Showcase and New Thespian Showcase, celebrating our newest performing artists. Then we'll close out the fall semester with Faculty Dance Works the first weekend of December. Check out https://www.dean.edu/box-office/ for tickets and to look ahead at our exciting spring semester lineup!

Stephen Ursprung, MFA (he/him)

Dean, Schools of Performing Arts

Associate Professor of Dance Studies

Photo credits to Cheryl Medeiros

2025-2026 Performing Arts Season

New Dancer Showcase

November 21-22, 2025

Main Stage

New Thespian Showcase

November 23-24, 2025

Main Stage

Faculty Dance Works

December 5-6, 2025

Main Stage

Much Ado About Nothing

February 18-22 – 6 performances

Main Stage

Choreographers’ Concert

February 27 and 28

Main Stage

Spring Musical - The Prom

April 8-12

Main Stage

Dance Company

April 23-26

Main Stage

Theatre Senior Showcase

April 26 and 27

Main Stage

Dance Senior Showcase

May 1 and 2

Main Stage

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.

From Grassroots to Gold: Field Hockey Wins GNAC Title

For the first time in program history, the Dean College Field Hockey team won the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship. They also earned an appearance into the NCAA Division III National Tournament.

This marks the first time in school history, since becoming a full-time NCAA member, that a team has advanced into the national tournament.

In addition, six players were named to the GNAC All-Conference roster. Four players were also named to the postseason All-Tournament team, including sophomore Emily Yazzetti, who was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. A postseason to remember for the Bulldogs!

The men's soccer team also qualified for the postseason after a terrific fall campaign. We are proud of all of our fall teams, the student-athletes who earned conference recognition, and especially our seniors- thank you for your leadership and dedication!

Winter sports have begun with men's and women's basketball hitting the hardwood. Congratulations to Abigail Lacy, Women's Basketball, who recently surpassed 1,000 career points in their game versus Wentworth Institute of Technology.

Continue to follow the Bulldogs on our social media accounts and the athletics website!

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.