March 16, 2021

Dear Members of the Connecticut College Community,

I am writing with news about the progress and process of our search for the next dean of institutional equity and inclusion.

I am pleased to report that Jefferson Singer, Dean of the College and Faulk Foundation Professor of Psychology, and Maria Cruz-Saco, the Joanne Toor Cummings ’50 Professor of Economics, have agreed to co-chair the search. The committee will include Hubert Cook, the Sue and Eugene Mercy, Jr. Assistant Professor of English; Ricardo Lombera ’22; Meera Narayanan-Pandit ’23; Analisse Rios, Strength and Conditioning Coach and Assistant Women's Soccer Coach, Department of Athletics; and Bryana White, Assistant Director, Student Counseling Services. Debo Adegbile, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, has also agreed to serve, and Lauren Middleton, Secretary of the College, will staff the committee.

We have prepared a leadership profile for use in the recruitment of candidates. Charlene Aguilar, from the firm Witt Kieffer, will assist us. We expect the review of candidates to begin in late April, and the search to be complete in June.

I am also pleased that, starting July 1, Erin Duran, Director of Gender and Sexuality Programs, has agreed to serve as Interim Dean of Institutional Equity and Inclusion until the new dean is in place.

I hope you will all join me in thanking all these colleagues for their leadership and service.

Yours,
 
Katherine Bergeron
President