Interim Dean of Student Affairs Terry Martinez

Remember when Kev$ho went to Johns Hopkins? Interim Dean of Student Affairs Terry Martinez is too, according to an email just sent out by Deantini and Dean Boyce. Martinez is to become the Associate Vice Provost and Dean of Student Life. Just last November, Martinez noted how she didn’t want the permanent position, but wanted to return to her role as Dean of Community Development.

Dear Undergraduate Students:

We are writing to let you know that Terry Martinez, Dean of Community Development and Multicultural Affairs and Interim Dean of Student Affairs for Columbia College and The Fu Foundation School of Engineering, will be leaving Columbia at the end of the academic year to become Associate Vice Provost and Dean of Student Life at Johns Hopkins University. This is a very exciting opportunity for Terry and, while we are sad to see her go, we are extremely grateful for all she has done for our students and for her willingness to serve in the interim role this year.

During her time at Columbia, Terry has served as an advocate and mentor for our students and for her colleagues. She has worked to build community, to facilitate open dialogue and to promote the co-curricular experience on campus. She has served as a leader to the Offices of Residential Programs, Student Engagement and Multicultural Affairs, and has played a pivotal role in the planning, implementation, management and evaluation of a diverse array of student services and programs.

In her new role at Johns Hopkins, Terry will serve as a senior leader in Student Affairs in both strategic planning and day-to-day operations. She will be responsible for guiding the Office of the Dean of Student Life, as well as Housing and Dining, Residential Life, Student Activities, Greek Life, new student orientation, LGBTQ programs, Judicial Affairs, the Counseling Center, the Student Health and Wellness Center and Campus Ministries, among other areas. She will be involved with developing a master plan for residential life and housing, as well as a feasibility study for a new student center, and will shape and guide the development and enhancement of various student programs and activities within the university.

Terry’s last day at Columbia will be May 30. As you know, we are in the final stages of our search for the new Dean of Undergraduate Student Affairs, and are bringing our two finalists to campus this week to meet with students and staff. We expect to appoint a new Dean of Undergraduate Student Affairs by the end of the semester.

On behalf of everyone at the College and Engineering, we want to thank Terry for her contributions to Columbia and wish her well in her new position.

Sincerely,

James J. Valentini
Dean of Columbia College,
Henry L. and Lucy G. Moses Professor and
Vice President for Undergraduate Education

Mary C. Boyce
Dean of Columbia Engineering and
Morris A. and Alma Schapiro Professor