Committees
Working Groups, Task Groups, and other contributors, such as focus group participants – composed of leaders, faculty, and staff from various areas of campus – supported the Future of A&S project from proposal development to implementation design through their diligent work in collecting and analyzing information on various models, trade-offs involved, and future-state scenarios.
Their work helped build the recommendation seen in the Future of Arts and Sciences proposal and continued to help shape these structures as our school was established. This page serves as an archive of the committees and working groups that made the school possible.
History & Implementation
Collaborators to School Implementation
2025 Committees and Task Groups
Following a favorable vote by faculty and the Board of Trustees, Provost David Kotz and interim Dean of A&S Nina Pavcnik are poised to establish a new school of Arts and Sciences. As implementation efforts proceed, the below Implementation Committee members are partnering closely with the interim Dean to collaboratively establish our new, unified structure.
Charge: Make strategic decisions to advance implementation, including identifying/mitigating cross-functional risks.
- Nina Pavcnik (Chair), Interim Dean of Arts and Sciences, Niehaus Family Professor in International Studies, Economics
- Scott Pauls, Interim Dean of Undergraduate Education
- Anne Hudak, Interim Dean of Undergraduate Student Affairs
- Maria Anderson, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of Arts and Sciences
- Kathryn Bezella, Assistant Vice President & Dean of Undergraduate Admissions
- Jacquelin Carty, Chief Operating Officer of Information, Technology, & Consulting
- Elizabeth Smith (until September 1, 2025), Dean of Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Paul M. Dauten, Jr. Professor of Biological Sciences
- John Carey (as of July 1, 2025), Interim Dean of Faculty of Arts and Sciences, John Wentworth Professor in the Social Sciences
- Matt Garcia, Ralph and Richard Lazarus Professor of History, Latin American, Latino, & Caribbean Studies, and Human Relations
- Whitney Henry, Vice President for Finance and Administration
- Stacey Millard, Associate Dean for Residential Life
- Doug Van Citters, Interim Dean of Thayer School of Engineering, Professor of Engineering, Adjunct Professor of Chemistry & Orthopedics
- Erich Osterberg, Associate Professor of Earth Sciences
- Felix Windt, Chief Technology Officer of Information, Technology, & Consulting
- Kathryn Kennedy, Associate Vice President for Communications
- Kathryn Munro, Interim Associate Vice President of Undergraduate Advancement
- Olivia Jaras, Director of Human Resources
- Roger Wakeman (until July 1, 2025), Vice President of Facilities & Energy
- Julie Findley (as of July 1, 2025), Chief Finance and Administrative Officer for Facilities, Deputy Senior Vice President, Interim Vice President for Facilities
Charge: Support the external search for the Dean of Undergraduate Student Affairs and recommending a short list of finalists for consideration/selection by Dean Pavcnik.
- Kristi Clemens (Chair), Executive Director of Dialogue Initiatives
- Matthew Delmont (Chair), Associate Dean for the Interdisciplinary and International Studies
- Karen Afre, Director of the Academic Skills Center
- Bridget Colacchio, Director of Family Support
- Sergi Elizade, Professor of Mathematics
- Rachele Hall, Director of the Office of Pluralism & Leadership
- Stacey Millard, Associate Dean for Residential Life
- Seun Olamosu, Director for International Student Experience
- David Pack, Director of Student Involvement
- Mark Reed, Director of the Health Service at Dick’s House
- Melanie Taylor, Professor of English & Creative Writing; Native American Studies, North House Professor
- Holly Wilkinson, Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs in Thayer School of Engineering
- Lydia Jin ‘26, Student
Charge: Spearhead the internal Dartmouth search for the Interim Dean of Undergraduate Education and recommending a short list of finalists for consideration/selection by Dean Pavcnik.
- Israel Reyes (Chair), Chair, Department of Spanish and Portuguese, Professor of Spanish and Portuguese, Director of Fellowships
- Ansley Booker, Executive Director of Dartmouth NEXT
- Sienna Craig, Professor of Anthropology, South House Professor
- Erin DeSilva, Associate Provost, Digital and Online Learning
- Anne Hudak, Co-Interim Dean of the College
- Mary Nyhan, Director of the Undergraduate Deans Office, Senior Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Students
- Erich Osterberg, Associate Professor of Earth Sciences
- Eric Parsons, Registrar of the College
- Jennifer Rosales, Senior Vice President for Campus Life and Community
- John Wisdom ’26, Student
Charge: Strategic delivery of communications, announcements, and progress updates as they relate to the Future of A&S.
- Justin Anderson (Lead), Senior VP for Communications
- Kathryn Kennedy, Associate Vice President for Communications
- Steve Kloehn, Communications Consultant
- Emily Meyer, Chief of Staff and Executive Director of Marketing
- Nina Pavcnik, Interim Dean of Arts and Sciences, Niehaus Family Professor in International Studies, Economics
Charge: Design a new, enhanced undergraduate advising model that centers the student experience and more seamlessly integrates staff and faculty efforts.
- Timothy Baker (Co-Lead), Senior Lecturer in Religion, Assistant Dean of Faculty for Undergraduate Advising
- Anne Hudak (Co-Lead), Co-Interim Dean of the College, Associate Dean for Student Support Services
- James Feyrer, Professor of Economics, Council on Institutional Priorities Chair
- Ryan Hickox, Chair and Professor of Physics and Astronomy
- Vicki May, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, Professor of Engineering
- Mary Nyhan, Director of the Undergraduate Deans Office, Senior Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Students
- Susan Taffe-Reed, Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Students for Class of 2027
Charge: Provide input and guidance, as needed, to the Undergraduate Advising Task Group.
- Zaneta Thayer, Associate Professor of Anthropology
- Francine A'ness, Senior Lecturer in Women’s and Gender Studies; Lecturer in Latin American, Latino & Caribbean Studies
- Tanya Convertini, Italian Language Program Director
- Bruce Duthu, Samson Occom Professor and Chair in Native American and Indigenous Studies, Faculty Director of the Tribal Service Project
- Margaret Funnell, Director of UGAR, Assistant Dean of Faculty for Undergraduate Research
- Natalie Hoyt, Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Students, Director of First Year Initiatives
- Tom Jack, Professor of Biological Sciences
- Yuliya Komska, Chair and Associate Professor in German Studies
- Alberto Li, Associate Professor of Computer Science
- Peter Mucha, Jack Byrne Distinguished Professor in Mathematics
- Kate Leach, Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Students
- Naaborko Sackeyfio-Lenoch, Associate Professor of History, West House Professor
Collaborators to Proposal Development
2024 - 2025 Committees and Task Groups
Winter 2025
Following a favorable vote by faculty and the Board of Trustees, Provost David Kotz and interim Dean of A&S Nina Pavcnik are poised to establish a new school of Arts and Sciences. As implementation efforts proceed, the below Implementation Committee members will partner closely with the interim Dean to collaboratively establish the new, unified structure.
Charge: Make strategic decisions to advance implementation, including identifying/mitigating cross-functional risks.
- Nina Pavcnik (Chair), Interim Dean of Arts and Sciences, Niehaus Family Professor in International Studies, Economics
- Anne Hudak, Co-Interim Dean of the College
- Doug Van Citters, Interim Dean of Thayer School of Engineering, Professor of Engineering, Adjunct Professor of Chemistry & Orthopedics
- Elizabeth Smith, Dean of Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Paul M. Dauten, Jr. Professor of Biological Sciences
- Eric Ramsey, Co-Interim Dean of the College
- Erich Osterberg, Associate Professor of Earth Sciences
- Felix Windt, Chief Technology Officer of Information, Technology, & Consulting
- Jacquelin Carty, Chief Operating Officer of Information, Technology, & Consulting
- Kathryn Bezella, Assistant Vice President & Dean of Undergraduate Admissions
- Kathryn Kennedy, Associate Vice President for Communications
- Kathryn Munro, Interim Associate Vice President of Undergraduate Advancement
- Maria Anderson, Chief Finance and Operations Officer of Arts and Sciences
- Matt Garcia, Ralph and Richard Lazarus Professor of History, Latin American, Latino, & Caribbean Studies, and Human Relations
- Olivia Jaras, Director of Human Resources
- Roger Wakeman, Vice President of Facilities & Energy
- Stacey Millard, Associate Dean for Residential Life
- Whitney Henry, Vice President for Finance and Administration
Collaborators to Proposal Development
Summer - Fall 2024
Project leads Dave Kotz and Nina Pavcnik charged six Task Groups to convene over the summer to address outstanding questions pertaining to the Future of A&S proposal. Engagement with faculty and staff in the spring term raised questions about several key areas of the proposal and how they might function in a future A&S model. The Task Groups described below examined those aspects to improve the proposal and inform the Future of A&S project.
Charge: Deliver a proposal for a new Arts and Sciences unit to Dartmouth leadership.
- David Kotz (co-lead), Provost, and the Pat and John Rosenwald Professor in the Department of Computer Science
- Nina Pavcnik (co-lead), Niehaus Family Professor in International Studies, Special Advisor to the President
- Scott Frew, Chief Financial Officer
- Devin Gray, Assistant Vice President for Strategic Initiatives
- Anne Hudak, Co-Interim Dean of the College
- Elizabeth Smith, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Paul M. Dauten, Jr. Professor of Biological Sciences
- Ann Root Keith, Chief Operating Officer for Advancement, Interim Chief Advancement Officer
- Eric Ramsey, Co-Interim Dean of the College
- Christie Thomas (Winter 2024 - Summer 2024), Associate Professor of Philosophy
- Rebecca Biron (2023 - Summer 2024), Professor of Spanish & Portuguese, Comparative Literature, Leslie Center
Charge: Recommend a new, more effective undergraduate advising model that centers the student experience.
- Tim Baker (co-lead), Senior Lecturer in Religion, Assistant Dean of Faculty for Undergraduate Advising
- Anne Hudak (co-lead), Associate Dean of Student Support Services
- Bruce Duthu, Samson Occum Professor, Chair, Department of Native American and Indigenous Studies
- Jim Feyrer, Professor of Economics
- Margaret Funnell, Director of Undergraduate Advising & Research
- Devin Gray, Assistant VP for Strategic Initiatives
- Ryan Hickox, Professor of Physics and Astronomy
- Mary Nyhan, Director of the Undergraduate Deans Office, Senior Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Students
- Doug Van Citters, Professor of Engineering, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education, Faculty Athletics Representative
Charge: Strategic delivery of communications, announcements, and progress updates as they relate to the Future of A&S project.
- Justin Anderson (lead), Senior VP for Communications
- Steve Kloehn, Communications Consultant
- Nina Pavcnik, Niehaus Family Professor in International Studies, Special Advisor to the President
Charge: Design and recommend an organizational structure for effective and efficient operations within the Arts and Sciences.
- Maria Anderson (lead), Chief Finance and Operations Officer
- Jessica Havrda, Director of Fiscal Management and Human Resources
- Andrea Tarnowski, Chair, Department of French and Italian, Associate Professor of French and Comparative Literature
- Ben Valentino, Associate Dean for the Social Sciences, Professor of Government
Charge: Explore options for a sustainable financial model for the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.
- Scott Frew (co-lead), Chief Financial Officer
- David Kotz (co-lead), Provost, and the Pat and John Rosenwald Professor in the Department of Computer Science
- Jon Kull (co-lead), Dean of the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, Rodgers Professor of Chemistry
- Sarah Brooks, Fiscal Officer and Sponsored Research Administrator
- Paul Harvey, Assistant Vice President of Financial Planning and Budget
- Whitney Henry, Vice President for Finance and Administration
- Judith Todd, Senior Budget Analyst
Charge: Identify impacted business processes and opportunities for process optimization throughout central functions (e.g., HR, Facilities, Student Support, and Finance).
- Paul Harvey (co-lead), Assistant Vice President of Financial Planning and Budget
- Whitney Henry (co-lead), Vice President for Finance and Administration
Charge: Recommend a proposed structure and operations for a potential Institutional Registrar at Dartmouth.
- Stacie Marshall, Registrar of Tuck
- Libby Barlow (co-lead), Associate Provost for Institutional Research
- Eric Parsons (co-lead), Registrar of the College
- Joseph Doucet, Senior Director, Enterprise Systems Group
- Devin Gray, Assistant VP for Strategic Initiatives
- Vicki May, Professor of Engineering
- Lynn Patyk, Chair and Professor, Department of East European, Eurasian, and Russian Studies
- Julia Abraham, Registrar of Thayer
- Gary Hutchins, Registrar of Guarini
- Michele Jaeger, Registrar of Geisel
Collaborators to Proposal Development
2023 - 2024 Committees and Task Groups
In July 2023, President Beilock established a project steering committee to lead the Future of A&S project through its second phase, led by Provost David Kotz and Professor Nina Pavcnik, and including Deans Elizabeth Smith and Scott Brown and other senior leaders.
Charge: Deliver a proposal for a new Arts and Sciences unit to Dartmouth leadership.
- David Kotz (co-lead), Provost, and the Pat and John Rosenwald Professor in the Department of Computer Science
- Nina Pavcnik (co-lead), Niehaus Family Professor in International Studies, Special Advisor to the President
- Rebecca Biron, Professor of Spanish & Portuguese, Comparative Literature, Leslie Center
- Scott Brown, Dean of the College
- Lee Coffin, Vice President and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid
- Scott Frew, Chief Financial Officer
- Elizabeth Smith, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Paul M. Dauten, Jr. Professor of Biological Sciences
- Ann Root Keith, Chief Advising Officer
- Christie Thomas, Associate Professor of Philosophy
Charge: Recommend a leadership structure and responsibilities for a new A&S unit.
- Elizabeth Smith (Lead), Dean, Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Paul M. Dauten, Jr. Professor of Biological Sciences
- Scott Brown, Dean of the College
- Nina Pavcnik, Niehaus Family Professor in International Studies, Special Advisor to the President
- Christie Thomas, Associate Professor of Philosophy
Charge: Recommend how an undergraduate student affairs division within Arts and Sciences might be structured to enhance the holistic undergraduate experience and support the work of student affairs staff.
- Rebecca Biron (lead), Professor of Spanish & Portuguese, Comparative Literature, Leslie Center
- La-Tarri Canty, Associate Dean of Community Life and Inclusivity
- Eric Ramsey, Associate Dean for Student Life
- Holly Wilkinson, Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Affairs at Thayer
Charge: Recommend how an advising and student support division might be structured to enhance the holistic undergraduate experience and increase collaboration between faculty and staff.
- Elizabeth Smith (Lead), Dean, Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Paul M. Dauten, Jr. Professor of Biological Sciences
- Tim Baker, Assistant Dean of the Faculty for Special Projects and Academic Advising
- Margaret Funnell, Assistant Dean of the Faculty for Undergraduate Research
- Anne Hudak, Associate Dean of Student Support Services
- Doug Van Citters, Associate Professor of Engineering for the Thayer School of Engineering and Associate Dean, Undergraduate Education
- Janice McCabe, Associate Professor of Sociology, Allen House Professor
Charge: Explore what structures might improve collaboration between the undergraduate admissions office, faculty, and student affairs staff.
- Lee Coffin, Vice President and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid
Charge: Recommend how Central Advancement might be structured to maximize collaborative opportunities and effectiveness in supporting a new unit.
- Ann Root Keith, Chief Advancement Officer
Charge: Explore how an institutional registrar might help coordinate and complement the work already taking place in individual schools and units.
- Elizabeth Smith (Lead), Dean, Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Paul M. Dauten, Jr. Professor of Biological Sciences
- Libby Barlow, Associate Provost for Institutional Research
- Eric Parsons, Registrar of the College
Charge: Explore how Arts and Sciences and Thayer might receive undergraduate net tuition revenue and share the costs of undergraduate student affairs.
- Chris Strenta, Advisor, Dean of Faculty Office
- Scott Frew (Lead), Chief Financial Officer
- Maria Anderson, Chief Finance and Operations Officer for the Arts and Sciences
- Wesley Benbow, MBA, Executive Dean for Administration and Finance for the Geisel School of Medicine
- Nina Pavcnik, Niehaus Family Professor in International Studies, Special Advisor to the President
- Andrew Samwick, Sandra L. and Arthur L. Irving Professor of Economics
- Tricia Spellman, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer for the Thayer School of Engineering
Collaborators to Proposal Development
2022 - 2023 Committees and Task Groups
In January 2022, Dartmouth President Phil Hanlon asked Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Elizabeth Smith to explore new organizational and budget models for the Arts and Sciences (A&S). Her charge: to recommend potential models that bring together all activities that support the research and teaching of the A&S faculty and the mission of undergraduate education; and, to align decision-making, priority-setting, and resource allocation across units invested in advancing the core undergraduate mission.
At the close of the 2021-22 academic year, Dean Smith established and charged three groups of project leadership: an Executive Committee, a Budget Working Group, and an Organizational Structure and Governance Working Group. These committees worked throughout the 2022-23 academic year.
Charge: Oversight of all Working Groups to provide guidance and strategic direction in the ultimate development of a final recommendation on the future organizational structure and budget models.
- Elizabeth Smith (Lead), Dean, Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Paul M. Dauten, Jr. Professor of Biological Sciences
- Justin Anderson, Vice President for Communications
- Scott Brown, Ph.D, Dean of the College
- Lee Coffin, Vice Provost for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid
- Scott Frew, Chief Financial Officer
- Phil Hanlon, President
- Mike Harrity, Haldeman Director of Athletics and Recreation
- David Kotz, Provost, and the Pat and John Rosenwald Professor in the Department of Computer Science
- Richard Mills, Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration
- Chloe Poston, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity
- Peter Roby, Advisor to the Director of Athletics and Recreation
Charge: Uncover challenges posed by the current organization structure to analyze how a future structure may enhance shared governance and the undergraduate mission.
Faculty Success Working Group
- Christine Thomas (Chair), Associate Professor of Philosophy
- Jane Lipson, Albert W. Smith Professor of Chemistry, Associate Dean for the Sciences
- Laura Ray, Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Development, Professor of Engineering for the Thayer School of Engineering
- Lee Coffin, Vice Provost for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid
Student Success Working Group
- Lee Coffin (Chair), Vice Provost for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid
- Rebecca Biron, Professor of Spanish & Portuguese, Comparative Literature, Leslie Center, CIPR
- Joann Brislin, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Physical Education & Recreation
- Anne Hudak , Associate Dean of Student Support Services
- Eric Ramsey, Associate Dean for Student Life
- Douglas Van Citters, Associate Professor of Engineering for the Thayer School of Engineering and Associate Dean, Undergraduate Education
- Marianne Thomson, Associate Dean of Student Affairs (past member)
Charge: Articulate a potential future approach for a new funding relationship between the central institution and an undergraduate entity.
- Mary-Ella Zietz, Assistant Provost for Fiscal Planning and Operations
- Scott Frew, Chief Financial Officer
- Maria Anderson, Chief Finance and Operation Officer for the Arts and Sciences
- Wesley Benbow, MBA, Executive Dean for Administration and Finance for the Geisel School of Medicine
- David Kotz, Provost, and the Pat and John Rosenwald Professor in the Department of Computer Science
- Andrew Samwick, Sandra L. and Arthur L. Irving Professor of Economics, and Chair of Department of Economics
- Tricia Spellman, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer for the Thayer School of Engineering
- Christopher Strenta, Advisor, Dean of Faculty Office