May 2025

Bulldog Families,

Each year it seems we utter the same phrase: "Where did the time go?" What begins as a 30-week journey in September, with plenty of ebbs and flows, evolves into a sprint to the finish. Amid the whirlwind of final papers, presentations and exams, I hope that students are taking a moment to reflect on all they've accomplished. Whether it was organizing an event, leading a student organization, achieving in athletics, or securing a role in a performance, these moments can have a lasting impact. They also can be great conversation starters at home when thinking about the future.

Congratulations to our families connected to December '24 graduates and the Class of '25. We often remind our Bulldogs that reaching this milestone is an incredible personal achievement that often takes a village. Your support and guidance have been a pivotal cog on this road; take time to soak in every moment as you watch your student make that traditional walk in their cap and gown through the iconic Arch and down Awpie Way one last time. Please visit the Commencement website to view important information about the ceremony including the livestream link if you will be unable to attend or have additional family watching from afar.

A quick reminder that all Boomer's Bucks and dining hall swipes will expire at the end of the academic year in May. Students can check their remaining Boomer's Bucks by visiting the cashiers at any of the on-campus eateries.

It has been my true pleasure to provide you with these monthly updates, and I look forward to connecting again in the fall. Wishing all of our Bulldog families a wonderful summer.



Let's Go Bulldogs!

Best,

Dave Drucker, M. Ed.

Associate Vice President, Student Life & Dean of Students

Greetings from the Commencement Committee! 

In just about two weeks, Dean College’s 159th Commencement Exercises will be held on Saturday, May 10. We are so looking forward to welcoming you back to our campus as we celebrate your student’s accomplishments and their graduation! If you or members of your family can’t join us in person, remember they can still attend our commencement virtually by viewing our livestream of the ceremony. The link is posted on the top of our Commencement webpage. 

Here are a few important tips for those of you who will be with us in person: 

• 9:30-10:10 a.m., all graduates need to check in at the Guidrey Center to robe and prepare for the ceremony. Only graduating students will be allowed in the Guidrey Center and they should leave personal belongings such as purses, bags, keys, etc. with friends and family.  

• Walking through the Arch leading to Dean Hall is reserved for our graduates and the commencement processional on Saturday. All guests will be directed to the entrance by the corner of Main Street and Emmons Street. 

• There are three entry points to the Quad which is the entire area in front of Dean Hall. So, there will also be three bag check areas for our guests. Signage and Dean employees will be directing you to these spots. Please remember seating for the ceremony is available starting at 9:00 am and you must be seated by 10:40 am prior to the start of the processional. 

We encourage you to review our Commencement web pages for even more information and details. Again, we look forward to celebrating with you and your graduate at Commencement! 

If you have any questions, please visit the commencement webpages and/or contact commencement@dean.edu.

Robbins Family Center for Advising and Career Planning

Attention Graduates!

Cap & Gown Pickup is happening Tuesday, April 29 and Wednesday, April 30 from 2pm–6pm in the Robbins Family Center for Advising & Career Planning.

Remind your student to stop by and pick up their cap & gown for the big day! As part of the event, graduates will also complete the First Destination Survey. Students who have secured a job or graduate school placement will receive a free t-shirt—don’t miss out!

Residence Life

End of Semester Residence Hall Closing

For Non-Graduating Residents:

Residence halls will close on Thursday, May 8, at 6:30 PM. Resident Directors will schedule hall meetings before Finals Week to review important closing and check-out procedures.

All residents must vacate their rooms within two to three hours after their last final exam. Before departure, residents must:

Pack and remove all personal belongings for the summer.

Clean their room.

Complete the check-out process with Residence Life.

Check-out includes scheduling a check-out time with a Resident Assistant or Resident Director for a final room inspection and key return.

For Graduating Residents:

Congratulations, Class of 2025! Residence halls will close for graduating residents on Saturday, May 10, at 3:00 PM.

Resident Directors will schedule hall meetings before Finals Week to review closing and check-out procedures. Graduating students participating in Senior Celebration Days and Commencement must RSVP via Microsoft Forms (available on Today@Dean under the Residence Life page and student email).

Graduating commuters who wish to stay on campus may request housing through the RSVP form. All RSVPs are due by April 25. There is no additional fee to live on campus through May 10.

2025-2026 Housing Selection:

The Office of Residence Life is thrilled to share that the 2025-2026 housing selection process was an incredible success, with students actively engaged and excited to secure their on-campus housing for the upcoming year. It was inspiring to see such strong participation, and we appreciate your support in encouraging students to plan ahead and visit Chapman House for assistance. If your student believes they may have missed the application, please don’t worry — their Resident Director is happy to assist.

Looking for Summer Storage Solutions?

We understand that moving out and finding storage can be stressful—Storage Squad can help!

Through our exclusive partnership, Storage Squad provides pick-up of your items, climate-controlled storage, and delivery to your Fall housing assignment before move-in

To reserve storage, visit www.storagesquad.com/dean and sign up by April 30, 2025. Box pick-up will be available at Chapman House, Monday-Friday between 9 AM – 5 PM, starting April 18.

For questions, please contact the Office of Residence Life at 508.541.1838.

Student Activities and Leadership Development

The Dean Activities Board is very excited for Spring Week. Students can check the student portal for times and locations. The week will close with one of the favorite campus traditions: Spring Carnival!

Students will also enjoy Late night Breakfast which takes place during Finals Week. Much success to all of our Bulldogs!

Sodexo Dining Services

Robbins Family Center For Advising and Career Planning

Summer 2025 Courses!

Is your student interested in taking a course this summer at Dean? Summer courses are a great opportunity to catch up or get ahead. Students can view the summer options in Self-Service and they should outreach to their Success & Career Advisor for more information about registering!

There’s Still Time to Plan for a Summer Internship!

Summer is a great opportunity for students to gain real-world experience and build professional skills. Encourage your student to explore internships and job opportunities now to make the most of their break. To earn credit, students must have their summer internship approved and be enrolled in DCA 300 by May 23.

It’s also a great time to start planning for fall internships. Encourage students to stop by Career Drop-In Hours before the end of the semester to get support. Help them take the next step today!

Keep the Career Momentum Going This Summer

Summer is the perfect time for students to stay in a career-focused mindset. Whether it's through a summer job, volunteering, job shadowing, or interviewing professionals in their field of interest, every experience helps build transferable skills and confidence.

Encourage your student to regularly update their resume as they gain new experiences—it’s a great habit that pays off! Career Services staff are available all summer long to support students who want to stay on track and continue growing their career readiness. Let’s keep the momentum going!

Health Services

Important Updates: New Carrier and Benefit Changes 



We are pleased to announce that the 2025–2026 college-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan will be provided by UnitedHealthcare. Please note that several important changes have been made to the plan’s structure and coverage. 

Key updates include: 

• Adjustments to deductible amounts 
• Introduction of co-insurance requirements 
• Revisions to prescription drug coverage 

We strongly encourage all students to carefully review the updated benefits information outlined below to fully understand how these changes may impact your coverage and out-of-pocket costs. 

Center for Student Financial Planning and Services

2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) 

REMINDER - Returning students who apply for financial aid must complete the FAFSA every year. If you have not yet filed your renewal FAFSA please do so ASAP. If you are a Massachusetts resident, the deadline for state aid is May 1st. The earlier you submit the FAFSA the better, as some types of aid are limited and offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

You must have your FSA ID username and password to complete and sign the FAFSA. The student should begin the FAFSA application and “invite” the appropriate parent(s) to complete their section of the form. If this is your first time completing the FAFSA visit studentaid.gov to learn about the application process and how to set up your FSA ID.



As always, if you have any questions or would like to set up a one-on-one FAFSA appointment, you can contact the Center for Student Financial Planning and Services at sfp@dean.edu or via phone at (508)-541-1518.

Fall 2025 Bills

Bills for the Fall 2025 semester will be available the first week of June on the Student Account Portal and will be due by July 17th. For more billing information, please visit: https://www.dean.edu/cost-aid/billing-and-payments/

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.

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 > Academic Resources. 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 2025- 2026

Saturday, August 30

Returning Students Arrive for Check-in*

Monday, September 1

Labor Day- No Classes

Tuesday, September 2

Fall Semester Classes Begin

*dates may be different for fall student- athletes and other student cohorts. Additional information will be sent during the summer months.

Morton Family Learning Center

The Morton Family Learning Center offers a wide variety of academic support to help students prepare for final exams, presentations, and projects. Writing, math, and subject area tutoring, presentation practice as well as group and individual study spaces are offered through the Theodore and Cynthia Berenson Center for Writing, Mathematics and Presentation Excellence which is located on the first floor of the Green Family Library Learning Commons. Students may schedule free tutoring appointments online via the My WCOnline link located in the top right-hand corner on Today@Dean or drop in for appointments.

For additional information about our services, please contact the Morton Family Learning Center at 508-541-1768 or email us at learning@dean.edu.

Counseling Services

Stay Proactive with Burnout: 

The end of the semester can be a stressful time for students with a list of obligations, academics, and studying to accomplish. Stress, anxiety, and burnout can increase for students during the last few weeks of the semester. Here are some helpful strategies for our students to beat burnout. 

• Break large tasks into smaller steps. 
• Practice deep breathing techniques. 
• Try guided meditation or mindfulness. 
• Engage in progressive muscle relaxation to release tension. 
• Exercise (walk, stretch, yoga).  
• Get 7-9 hours of sleep every night; avoid all-nighters.  
• Stay hydrated and limit caffeine intake. 
• Ask for help (professors, tutors, counseling services).  
• Schedule downtime for hobbies and social interactions.  
• Study with friends or join study groups for motivation. 

Student Resources

Mental Health resources are located on the student portal for students to access, as well as on the Counseling Center's Instagram Page.

 

 If you or someone you know needs to talk to a counselor right away call/text 988 or Chat online 

Mental Health Evaluation 

Community Behavioral Health Centers - Riverside Community Care

Milford Regional Medical Center - Milford Regional Medical Center in Milford, MA 

Dean College 2024-2025

Performing Arts

Over spring break, 32 students from the School of Dance attended the American College Dance Association's (ACDA) New England Conference at Rhode Island College. This conference provided valuable professional development, offering students the chance to attend master classes with dance educators from diverse collegiate programs, receive adjudication feedback on their choreography from a professional panel, network with peers and dance professionals, observe diverse choreographic works, and perform in faculty- and peer-selected pieces representing Dean College.  

Three student choreographers showcased their original works in the adjudication or informal concerts: Vincent Maizland with "Kyd," Elizabeth Perreault with "Contingent," and Jillian Andre with "Recurrent." 

Students also engaged in diverse classes taught by distinguished instructors, including David Dorfman, artistic director and founder of the David Dorfman Dance Company; Rosanna Tavarez, a Los Angeles-based choreographer and Countertechnique Master; Daniel Gwirtzman, director of the Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company; and several other esteemed professionals. 

Schools of Performing Arts Master Classes

In March, students from the Schools of Performing Arts were treated to two spectacular dance master classes in Hip Hop with Dom Ruiz and Jazz with Michael Taylor. 

Dom Ruiz is a Southern California native, represented for commercial dance by Bloc Talent Agency. He began his dance training at Temecula Dance Company. Through this program, Dom has trained closely with choreographers like, Brian Friedman, Tessandra Chavez, Tricia Miranda, Cris Judd, and Geo Hubela. He is proudly an alumnus of Rhapsody James’ Motivating Excellence - Season 4 and was a Monsters of Hip Hop Cast member in 2016. He has also assisted Tyce Diorio on SYTYCD, and projects for Tony Testa, Kyle Hanagami, and Nick Demoura. Dom has appeared on TV programs such as the Billboard Music Awards, The Ellen Show, The Voice, All- American, The MTV Movie Awards, and the 2019 Disney Christmas Spectacular. He has also appeared on promo for American Horror Story, and National Campaigns for Arm & Hammer, Pepsi, and Oculus by Facebook. By doing so, he has had the opportunity to work alongside artists: Janet Jackson, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Doja Cat, Billie Ellish, Chaka Khan, and Major Lazer to name a few (picture below). 

Michael Taylor has been a master teacher for 25 years, giving seminars, setting original choreographic works and teaching dancers around the world in both the private and public sectors, as well as college and university dance and fine arts programs. As a performer, some of his credits include: River North Dance Company, AKASHA Dance Company; Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, serving as associate director and rehearsal choreographer for six years,; The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, serving as an assistant choreographer for five years, as well as several theater, fashion and industrial credits to his name, including Papermill Playhouse's Funny Girl, and Disney's Magical Moments in Chicago and Rome, Italy. Michael proudly served as a director and rehearsal choreographer for Royal Caribbean Entertainment, also providing service in the audition and casting department, and has also taught and adjudicated for numerous internationally recognized dance organizations and institutions (picture below). 

Final performances of the academic year:

April 29, 2025

Theatre Senior Showcase

Featuring scenes, songs, and monologues, the “Theatre Senior Showcase” is a celebration of the Class of 2025 and the cohort’s formal introduction to the professional theatre community.

May 1-2, 2025

Dance Senior Showcase

Creating a performance from the ground up, Dean’s talented senior dance students share their choreography, performance, and production expertise in this annual collaborative showcase.

Freaky Friday pictured below (phot credit to Cheryl Medeiros)

Alumni Panel & Networking Event 

On Thursday, April 17, we were thrilled to welcome back five Dean College alumni for a special Alumni Panel and Networking Event. Hosted by Todd Shanks, Program Coordinator of Dance, and Courtney Shimer, Director of Career Services, the event brought together graduates from the past three to ten years to share their experiences with students.  

Students from the Schools of the Performing Arts had the opportunity to hear about the alumni’s career journeys, ask questions about life after graduation, and explore a range of career options in the field. Following the panel, students and alumni continued the conversation over coffee, allowing for more personal connections and one-on-one networking opportunities. 

It was an exciting morning filled with great conversations, valuable insights, and a true sense of community. 

Vocal Ensemble Performs at Franklin Public Library 

The Dean College Vocal Ensemble (pictured on left) performed selections from Princess Folk on April 22 at the Franklin Public Library. Under the direction of Assistant Professor of Music Timothy Ayres-Kerr, songs from and related to Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, Snow White and Frozen were performed by ensemble members Brian Dinallo, Dillan Kelly, Sydney McCoy, Jackson Olander, Duncan O’Rourke, Kylie Parsons, Ethan Pflomm, Kylie Shelott, Zoe Squeglia, Alexandra Stanglewicz and Sophie Zawadzki.  

Bulldog Athletics

The weather has finally begun to turn in our favor (probably should not have jinxed that) and spring sports are in their final push for playoff position. Currently the men's and women's lacrosse teams have qualified for the postseason. Click on the photos below for direct links to articles. You can follow all results, standings and playoff details at deanbulldogs.com.

Congratulations to all of our athletes on their personal and team achievements throughout the year. Football will move to the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) this fall bringing a whole new set of opponents to campus.