December 2023

Families,

As we move into the home stretch, there is the recognition that another calendar year has flown by signifying both endings and beginnings; a time to take inventory of our successes possibly dating back to the New Year's resolutions of a more introspective look at the fall semester. Let's think about the positive changes and the opportunity to tweak or add to our repertoire in the coming year.

We know that exam time (papers and presentations) can be stressful for many, so positivity is the key. There will be programming here on campus to assist students with taking a deep breath and reminders from home can be just as significant. As noted in my November communication, taking care of oneself is essential whether it's taking a nice walk, listening to music, or getting a good night's rest. This can seem like a simple formula but putting it into practice is often easier said than done.

Congratulations to our December 2023 graduates and families! Completing a college degree is a team effort, and we could not be more proud of our students' accomplishments. We know you are ready for the next transition whether it is graduate school or industry. Be a tenacious Bulldog in all that you do!

Make sure to visit the College's many platforms on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to view more terrific highlights of the college experience, and enjoy the photos below from our Annual Thanksgiving Dinner and holiday lighting to kick off the season.

Wishing all of our Bulldogs and their families a safe and wonderful holiday season!

Best,

Dave Drucker, M. Ed.

Associate Vice President, Student Life & Dean of Students

The Office of Residence Life-

Important Information for Winter Break!

The Office of Residence Life and Dean Community members were thrilled to participate in the Annual Thanksgiving Dinner on November 16. Staff and faculty members served dinner to over 600 members of the Dean Community! (pictured below) We are so grateful to celebrate the start of the holidays with you! On Monday, December 11th

at 10 PM, students are invited to take a break from studying and join us at the Annual Late Night Breakfast.

The residence halls will close at 6:30pm on Friday, December 15th for winter break. Students are required to depart two hours after the completion of their last exam. Any exceptions to this policy will be determined by the Office of Residence Life located in Chapman House. 

Students may leave all their belongings in their room unless they are not returning for the spring semester and are reminded to exercise caution when leaving any valuables in their room. Please remind your students to bring home anything they may need during the break (prescriptions, electronics, books, clothing, etc.) as they will not have access to their room until the start of the spring semester. If students need to request a late departure from campus, they must complete the Winter Break Request Form located on Today@Dean or their Residence Hall Teams page by December 6th.

Hall meetings will be scheduled by Resident Directors to review closing information and prepare for Winter Break – attendance is mandatory! 

Spring Semester Reminder: Residence halls re-open for the spring semester on Sunday, January 21, and classes will begin on Monday, January 22. Students will receive more information regarding the move-in process over winter break. Click on the Check-in banner below for more information. The site will be updated as needed.

If you have additional questions, please reach out to the

Office of Residence Life: 508.541.1838. 

Thanksgiving Dinner 2023

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 the Spring Semester 2024:

Sunday, January 21: Residence Halls Re-open

Monday, January 22: Spring Semester Day and

SCS Classes Begin

Monday, March 11- Friday, March 15: Spring Break

Tuesday, May 7- Friday, May 10: Exam Week

Monday, May 13- Friday, May 17: Senior Week

Saturday, May 18: 158th Commencement Exercises!

Holiday Lighting Event

Winter Intersession Courses

Important information for students interested in taking winter courses!

To add a winter intersession course, students must:

• Complete a registration form with their Success & Career Advisor.



• Contact the Center for Student Financial Planning Services and pay for the course in full before Thursday, December 21st. This requires advance planning to be able to communicate with both their Success & Career Advisor and Student Financial Planning before the end of the semester!

There are a variety of online, asynchronous offerings throughout the four-week intersession, including the DCA-300 internship course if your student is looking to complete an accelerated internship! Students can access the list of course offerings through their Success & Career Advisor.

New Success and Career Advisor Announcement

We are excited to welcome Dr. Liza Smith to the Robbins Family Center for Advising & Career Planning! Liza comes to us with an impressive background in student success and will be a great asset to our team. Liza will introduce herself to all her advisees via Dean email as the semester ends and looks forward to meeting all of them in person in January!

Study Away Opportunities

A great way for your student to create an amazing resume is to participate in Dean College’s Study Away Program. Studies have shown that studying away has a positive impact on developing top-notch 21st-century career 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! 

Dean College’s Study Away Program includes three options to meet a variety of interests and needs in the U.S. and over 50 countries around the world: (1) Dean College courses that include a short, 7-10-day trip abroad or in the U.S. -Spring 2024, the course offering will be a trip to Italy during spring break; (2) 2-week to 6-week experiences in the U.S. or abroad in January or during the summer; and (3) full-semester or academic year opportunities in the U.S. or abroad.

Students generally study away anytime between the second semester of their sophomore year to the first semester of their senior year and need to have a 3.000 cumulative GPA. Students must first complete the internal pre-approval application, and then they will need to complete the external study away application. The internal application deadline to study away for summer 2024 or fall 2024 is February 1, 2024. 

Interested students should meet with Melissa Read, Director of the Study Away Program. Melissa holds office hours on Tuesdays, from 3-5pm, in Dean Hall, Room 203.

For more information, students can speak with their Success & Career Advisor and with Melissa Read, Director of the Study Away Program at mread@dean.edu. 

Student Financial Planning

The FAFSA is coming soon…..

The US Department of Education plans to release the 2024-2025 FAFSA on December 31, 2023. Remember to apply online at studentaid.gov. Dean College is committed to keeping students, families, and our community updated about the FAFSA process.



Due to the passing of the FAFSA Simplification Act on December 27, 2020, the FAFSA is changing starting with the 2024-2025 aid year. The FAFSA application process will be streamlined and easier for students and parents to complete. For more information click here studentaid.gov.

Spring 2024 Bills

Bills for the Spring 2024 semester will be available the first week of December on the Student Account Portal and will be due by January 4th.



If you do not have access already, your student can provide you with 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.

Morton Family Learning Center

The Morton Family Learning Center would like to announce that we have hired two Assistant Directors of Learning Services. Cara Camire and Dr. Katie Denton will join us in these exciting new roles in January 2024.

Cara Camire, Assistant Director of Learning Services (Academic Coaching focus), has experience at Dean as both an academic coach and a success and career advisor. She brings a wealth of knowledge to the position as an educator and a college counselor. Plus she is also a Dean alumnae! Ms. Camire will directly supervise and set the strategic direction for our Academic Coaching program and will supervise Strive4Success students. She will finish her advising work in December and will transition into her new role on January 2, 2024.

Dr. Katie Denton, Assistant Director of Learning Services (Tutoring Services focus), comes to us from the University of New Mexico where she headed up the Writing and Language Center for Academic Program Support for over nine years. In addition, she is a published author writing on subjects ranging from writing centers and evidence-based practices to online tutoring. Dr. Denton will set the strategic direction and supervision of all aspects of the Berenson Center for Writing, Mathematics & Presentation Excellence and will also co-coordinate the College’s academic probation recovery actions.

Reminder for students as we head towards finals… The Morton Family Learning Center offers a wide variety of academic supports that will help students prepare for finals. Study labs, workshops, and tutoring through the Berenson Center for Writing, Mathematics and Presentation Excellence are among the many services offered. We encourage students to head over to the Learning Center's page on Today@Dean for more information on our wide range of supports. Happy Holidays from all of us in the Learning Center! 

Student Activities and Leadership Development (SALD)

Student-led clubs and organizations have been working hard this semester to build community through their amazing events and weekly meetings! Highlights have included the Women in Business local women-owned business tour (pictured below), Halloween Night hosted by DAB/ Esports/ Wrote Unquote/ True Colors/ and Collaborative Author's League, and the Dean News Network daily updates on what's happening on campus! The Student Activities office has enjoyed hosting Banned Book Week, Open Mic and Karaoke nights, and recreational sports competitions in pickleball and basketball. We love our student leaders!

School of the Arts

During the fall 2023 semester at Dean College's School of the Arts, students have had the extraordinary privilege of collaborating with a stellar lineup of guest artists. Broadway actor Laura Marie Duncan shared her expertise in song interpretation and audition technique. David Pepin, associate conductor for the Broadway production Wicked, guided students through auditions through music technique. Michael Bobbitt, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, offered students from Arts and Entertainment Management invaluable insights into the role of a contemporary arts leader, bridging the gap between artistic passion and real-world impact. Additionally, tap dancer Aaron Tolson infuses the semester with rhythmic excitement for School of the Arts and Palladino School of Dance students, imparting his mastery of the intricate and lively art of tap dance. It's an exciting opportunity for students to learn from professionals who've made their mark in the industry.

Reminder to visit the Dean College Box Office on the front of the Dean College website to purchase your tickets for the upcoming performances.

Performance Schedule:

New Dancer Showcase - Main Stage

December 1-2

Faculty Dance Works - Main Stage

December 7-8

She Loves Me - Main Stage

February 28- March 3

Choreographers’ Concert - Main Stage

March 22- 23

Pocatello - Spring Drama - Main Stage

April 3- 7

Dance Senior Showcase - Main Stage

April 12- 13

Theatre Senior Showcase - Main Stage

April 19- 20

Dance Company - Main Stage

April 25- 28

Winter athletics have now taken center stage in Pieri Gymnasium. The men's and women's basketball teams have both tasted victory in out-of-conference competition and will continue to battle through next week and the start of GNAC conference play prior to a break for exams and the holidays. Catch game action, statistics, and game recaps all season long at Bulldogs Athletics.

Let's Go Bulldogs!

Show off that Bulldog Spirit for the holidays!

Whether you are shopping for your favorite Bulldog or outfitting the entire family, don't forget to visit our Bookstore in the Dr. Paula M. Rooney Student Center, first floor or online to check out our gear. Go Bulldogs!