Dear friends,

Happy new semester! I’m writing to share several leadership appointments for key administrative positions beginning in the 2026-27 academic year. I’m delighted to announce the following:

Olivia Sabee, Associate Professor of Dance, has agreed to serve as the next Associate Dean of the Faculty for Academic Programs and Research.

Following a robust search process and consultation with the selection committee, Olivia emerged as an outstanding choice for this role. She is widely respected as a fair and decisive leader and a thoughtful advocate for the faculty, balancing faculty advocacy with a strong commitment to the broader institutional good. Her leadership within her department and across the College, along with her strong record of externally funded scholarship, speaks to her credibility and effectiveness. Olivia will begin working with Cat Norris this spring to ensure a smooth transition and will formally assume the role this summer. I would like to thank Cat for her dedication, leadership, and vision in advancing important initiatives during her time as Associate Dean.

Alexandra Gueydan-Turek, Associate Professor of French & Francophone Studies and chair of Modern Languages and Literatures, has agreed to step into the role of Executive Director of the Global Engagement Office.

Alexandra brings deep leadership experience from her service as chair of Modern Languages and section head of French, along with a longstanding commitment to global education and extensive College service. Her familiarity with both the academic and operational dimensions of global engagement positions her well to continue strengthening the office. I would like to thank Carina Yervasi for her vision and leadership as the inaugural Executive Director and for the strong foundation she established during her three-year term.

Anthony Foy, Associate Professor of English Literature, has agreed to serve as Faculty Coordinator for the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program (MMUF).

As one of the charter institutions selected to participate in the MMUF program, Swarthmore continues to lead efforts to diversify the professoriate in the humanities and the humanistic social sciences. Anthony has previously served in this role and brings deep expertise and a longstanding commitment to the MMUF mission. He takes over from Joseph Derrick Nelson, who served in this important capacity for five years. I am grateful to Joseph for his leadership and recent work, and I am eager to welcome Anthony back into this important role.

Aimee Johnson, John Watts Roberts ’39 and Jane Martin Roberts ’39 Professor of Mathematics, has agreed to serve as Honors Coordinator.

Aimee has been serving in an interim capacity during the 2025-26 academic year and will continue in the role through the end of the 2027-28 academic year. She brings deep leadership experience from her past service as department chair, division chair, a member of both CEP and CoFP, and as a current member of the Swarthmore Forward curriculum review. I am grateful to Aimee for her dedicated service and look forward to supporting her as she leads this distinguished and important program for the College.

Please join me in applauding the tremendous service and leadership of these faculty colleagues.

Best,

Rich Wicentowski
Provost and Dean of the Faculty