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Office of Academic Success

professor and student talking at the new student advising fair

Department Overview

The Office of Academic Success coordinates advising for students and connects students to academic resources and other services on campus. Our goal is to provide academic advising and resources that will help students to:

  • meet graduation requirements
  • navigate the college and plan for their lives beyond Swarthmore
  • choose courses of study including majors, minors, and Honors
  • prepare for graduate study or careers
  • find appropriate fellowships.

Further, our goal is to provide each student with the advising and resources to obtain a satisfying, enriching, balanced, and transformative liberal arts education.

Academic advising is coordinated through the office in partnership with academic departments and programs. Some learning resources are also coordinated through the office by the deans, Registrar's Office, Student Disability Services, Pre-Med and Pre-Law advising, Fellowships and Prizes, the Student Academic Mentor program, and tutor assignments. Other resources are based in departments (Ninjas, Science Associates, PiRates, Wizards, etc.) and in designated centers and offices on campus (the Writing Center, Career Services).

Most students use one or more of these resources during their time at Swarthmore to enhance their experience, strengthen their performance, or prepare for graduate school or career. As a small, caring institution, we strive to open up advising and resources to all and encourage students to collaborate with trained peer tutors and with professional advisors. Please stop by Parrish East 108 or consult with specific offices or departments if you have questions.

Office of Academic Success Staff

Tomoko Sakomura

Assistant Vice President and Dean of Academic Success

Professor of Art History

Art

Contact

  1. Phone: (610) 328-8119
  2. Parrish 108
  1. Profile
  2. CV

Mira Baric

Administrative Assistant

Dean's Office

Contact

  1. Phone: (610) 328-8367
  2. Parrish Hall 108
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Karen Henry '87

Dean of First Year Students

Contact

  1. Phone: (610) 328-8169
  2. Office: Parrish 130
  1. Profile
Karen Henry

Nakia Waters

Program Coordinator FFI

Black Cultural Center

Dean's Office

Contact

  1. Phone: (610) 690-5541
  2. Black Cultural Center 303B
  3. Parrish Hall E126
waters

Betsy Durning

Administrative Assistant, First Year Dean and Assistant to Assistant Vice President and Dean of Inclusive Excellence and Community Development

Contact

  1. Phone: (610) 690-5744
  2. Parrish 140
Betsy Durning

Martin Warner

Registrar

Contact

  1. Phone: (610) 328-8299
  2. Parrish 124
  1. Profile
  2. Registrar's Office
Martin Warner

Lesa Shieber

Associate Registrar

Registrar's Office

Contact

  1. Phone: (610) 328-8297
  2. Parrish Hall 124
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Jana Daly (Judge)

Assistant Registrar

Registrar's Office

Contact

  1. Phone: (610) 328-7832
  2. Parrish Hall 124
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Jenna Hunt

Assistant Registrar

Registrar's Office

Contact

  1. Phone: (610) 328-8298

Liz Derickson '01

Associate Dean of Academic Success

Contact

  1. Phone: (610) 328-8475
  2. Parrish Hall 109
  1. Profile
Liz Derickson

Monica Vance

Director of Student Disability Services

Dean's Office

Contact

  1. Phone: (610) 328-7358
  2. Fax: (610) 690-3350
  3. Parrish Hall West 113
  1. Profile
professional photo of Monica L. Vance

Melissa Mandos

Fellowships and Prizes Advisor, SAM (Student Academic Mentor) Program Director

Contact

  1. Phone: (610) 328-8363
  2. Parrish 115
  1. Profile
Melissa Mandos

Diane Watson

Administrative Assistant

Contact

  1. Phone: (610) 328-8364
  2. Parrish 119
  1. Profile
Diane Watson

Gigi Simeone

Health Sciences/Pre Law Advisor

Contact

  1. Phone: (610) 328-8589
  2. Parrish West 125
  1. Profile
Gigi Simeone

Jennifer Lenway, MSW

Administrative Assistant for Health Sciences and Pre-Law Advising

Contact

  1. Phone: (610) 328-8356
  2. Parrish 121