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The academic world outside of what happens in the classroom (digital or physical) is something of a mystery to me. That is why I’m so excited that my colleague Scott C. Brown, dean of the college at Dartmouth, graciously agreed to answer my questions.
Q: What does a dean of the college (or a similar role with a different title at another institution) do?
A: This is the best role on campus. We know that not all learning happens in the classroom, and student affairs professionals connect, educate and support all students, in and out of class, on and off campus.
Each day is exciting, because we constantly toggle between several levels. At the 30,000-foot level, we are context setters and culture shapers who create a shared vision and language around the student experience. We ensure that we are meeting students’ needs, while providing a strategic voice about how we support students holistically.
At the 10,000-foot level, we support and strengthen our staff, and organize ourselves to advance our core mission by thoughtfully deploying our people, policies, programs and structures.
At the three-foot (or, during COVID, six-foot!) level, our work is fundamentally about the human connection. Regardless of an institution’s size, our relationships with students, faculty, colleagues, alumni and families are of primary importance. It is critical we have a deep understanding about what is at stake our important stakeholders and that we keep students at the center of our work.
Q: From your lens of leading a campus organization responsible for student life and well-being, how have things changed in residential higher education over your career?
A: While much has changed, I believe the changes are in degree, not kind. For those of us working with 18- to 22-year-olds, they face the same evergreen developmental paths and milestones as they always have. They will follow the same general path from matriculation to graduation that leads from certainties about right and wrong to a more nuanced and flexible approach as they enter the postgraduate world.
I do see a profound impact on our students from the direct and indirect impacts of the pandemic, the steep rise in mental health issues, the current social issues and legislation, and the general negative tone that pervades our society. These factors have been amplified for our most marginalized community members.
I believe we must meet this current moment for our students and remain laser-focused understanding their lived experiences. Our goal should be to make all students feel that “this place was designed for me,” as well as help them understand and anticipate what is necessary to meet the challenges and opportunities of higher education. We know that college is a journey no one can take for our students, but we must be good company along the way.
To make sense of this moment, I think of three metaphors: the compass, the gyroscope and the map. The compass to make sure that we have students as our due north at the center of our work at all times. The gyroscope to remind us that no matter how much the world is turning us upside down and backwards, we must retain our focus, orientation and equilibrium. And the map helps us find constant and concrete ways to get from here to there.
Q: Let’s talk about your career. What was the path that brought you to your current leadership role? What advice do you have for other higher education professionals who might be interested in following a similar career path?
A: I was very fortunate that along the way, people saw more in me than I saw in myself. As an undergraduate, student affairs staff saw how much I enjoyed co-leading the orientation program and encouraged me to consider higher education as a career. I had supervisors and professors who did not allow my timidness to get in the way of my purpose and passion. They encouraged me to say yes to all that I could manage. I stretched myself by serving on various campus committees. I wrote, presented and became involved in professional associations. This broad and deep exposure to different contexts and people enriched my limited perspective and skill set, allowing me to become better at supporting staff and students.
My advice to anyone who is asking themselves what they want to do with their career, regardless of field, is to truly reflect on what is interesting, important and exciting for you in a perfect world. What are you specifically doing, with whom, for whom and why? Our work is and will always be noble and difficult, but I can’t imagine doing anything else.
