The Dean of Student's Division piloted a new Student Deans model in Spring 2019 and launched the new deaning model in Fall 2019. This model has two stages:

First-year students:

• international students are assigned to Dean Jennifer Marks-Gold, Assistant Dean and Director of International Student Programs
• all other students are assigned to Dean Karen Henry, Dean of First Year Students

Beyond the first year:

• international students stay with Dean Jennifer Marks-Gold
• other students are reassigned to Student Deans Liz Derickson, Imaani El-Burki, Rachel Head, Dion Lewis, or Michelle Ray, who will remain their dean through the remainder of their time at Swarthmore 
• incoming transfer students are assigned to Dean Liz Derickson

Dean Tomoko Sakomura functions as a coordinator for Student Deans. Dean changes can be made by emailing Dean Tomoko Sakomura (tsakomu1@swarthmore.edu).

Why might a student reach out to a student dean?

• you are trying to find balance between your academics and your other responsibilities
• you are looking for mentors here or beyond
• you are having a serious medical problem and are trying to figure out how to approach your academics
• you are figuring out how to navigate Swarthmore and your various communities (home, service, identity, adoptive, global)
• you are experiencing personal challenges that are affecting your academics
• you are considering taking a semester away from Swarthmore
• you had something really wonderful happen and want to share the joy