Barnard’s search for a new Dean has come to a close.

In an email sent to Barnard students at 11:00 AM, Barnard College President Sian Beilock announced that Dr. Leslie Grinage will fill the role of Dean of the College. Dr. Grinage has served as Associate Dean of Students at Davidson College since 2016 and has served as an Assistant Dean of Students among other roles at Duke University prior to that. She received her B.A. in Spanish from Davidson College, M.S. in Educational Administration from Texas A&M University, and her Ed.D in Higher Education Leadership and Policy from Vanderbilt University. Her doctoral research centered on academic advising and student success networks in small liberal arts environments. Notably, she is a native New Yorker and first-generation college student.

The role of Dean of the College has been filled by co-interim Deans Alicia Lawrence and Natalie Friedman since former Dean Avis Hinkson left the role in August 2018. They will continue to serve as co-interim Deans until Dr. Grinage starts on August 1, 2019.

Read the full email sent to students below:

Dear Members of the Barnard Community,

It is my great pleasure to announce that Dr. Leslie Grinage has been named the next Dean of the College. Chosen from a remarkable group of candidates, Dean Grinage brings an impressive set of skills, passion, and experience to this vital role.

From the start, the search advisory committee was charged with finding a candidate who would help shape student life at an important moment in the College’s history. We sought a dynamic, collaborative, and creative leader to foster an exceptional undergraduate experience — someone who would serve our students as an inspiring and respected ally; partner with Barnard’s extraordinary faculty and staff; and continue to strengthen connections with the greater Columbia University community. Dean Grinage is the perfect person to contribute to student living and learning at Barnard.

Since 2016, Dean Grinage has served as Associate Dean of Students at Davidson College, her alma mater, in North Carolina. In this role, Dean Grinage works with students from a variety of backgrounds, alongside faculty and staff, to ensure student success both inside and outside the classroom. She manages programming for Orientation and Family Weekend; oversees student support areas such as academic access and disability resources, case management, health education, and student health and counseling; serves as staff liaison to the Teaching, Learning, and Research Committee of the Davidson College Board of Trustees; and is the college’s Title IX Coordinator.

Prior to her role at Davidson, Dean Grinage worked at Duke University. At Duke, she served as an Assistant Dean of Students and in roles related to leadership and service programs, academic advising, and student conduct.

Dean Grinage received her B.A. in Spanish from Davidson College, M.S. in Educational Administration (Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education) from Texas A&M University, and Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Policy from Vanderbilt University. Her doctoral research focused on academic advising and student success networks in a small liberal arts environment. Dean Grinage is also a native New Yorker and a first-generation college student.

I would like to take this opportunity to offer my very special thanks to co-interim Deans Alicia Lawrence and Natalie Friedman who seamlessly headed the Dean of the College area this past academic year. Their leadership has been greatly appreciated and they will continue in their interim roles until Dean Grinage joins us on August 1, 2019.

I would also like to thank the Dean of the College search advisory committee, led by Vice President for Enrollment Jennifer Fondiller ’88 and all of the faculty, students, and staff who provided input during this process. It truly was a community effort that resulted in Dean Grinage’s hire.

I am very much looking forward to working with Leslie and I hope that you will all join me in warmly welcoming her to Barnard.

Sincerely,

Sian Leah Beilock, President

Image via Bwog Archives