Office of Academic Deans

The Academic Deans are part of a student’s advising network within the College’s integrated advising model. The Academic Deans Office helps students develop strategies for success by assisting with course selection and major declaration, addressing issues related to credit shortages or overloads, consulting with students about leaves of absence, monitoring academic progress toward meeting graduation requirements and nominating students for honors and awards. Since the office works closely with faculty and many on-campus offices, the Academic Deans Office is positioned to help students understand, navigate and access the many resources available at ŷ��AV.

Academic guidance and support

Orientation leaders great new students on move-in day 2022

Academic guide for new students

We can help you navigate the registration process as you begin your ŷ��AV journey.

Students reviewing paperwork in the welcome tent during move-in day 2022

Academic Planning

We provide academic guidance and support for all students and will help you develop your individual educational plan.

An orange notebook with an elastic holding the cover closed

Academic Honor Board

The Academic Honor Board ensures consistent interpretation of the honor code, swift and impartial review of alleged infractions, and fair and equitable sanctions for confirmed violations.

Office processes

Students seeking an exception to the academic policies or regulations of the College may submit an online petition to the Academic Administrative Board. Students who wish to petition the Board must first consult with the dean for their class year.

Former students who have graduated or withdrawn from the College have only a short period after they leave the College to petition for any transcript change. The deadlines are:

early September for those who graduated or withdrew April through July
January 1 for those who graduated or withdrew August through October
May 1 for those who withdrew November through March.

The Board meets bi-weekly during each semester and is comprised of the Dean of Studies, the Registrar, the Class Deans, and three faculty members. Petitions are due one week prior to the scheduled AAB meeting date as referenced within the online petition form. Petitions received after this deadline will be added to the following meeting's agenda. Students will receive confirmation and further instructions once the petition has been submitted. The Board’s decision will be sent via email within 48 hours of the meeting.

If you have questions about the petitioning process, please contact the Dean of Studies.

The Office of Academic Deans completes the Dean Certification Letters that are required as a standard component of many Law, Graduate and Medical graduate school applications.

In order to have the office complete your Dean Certification Letters please complete the following steps:

Complete all applicant information on each form.
Include an addressed envelope with correct postage for each form.
Include a cover sheet that states your name, class year, contact information, the names of the schools whose forms you have included, and any other pertinent information, including form deadlines.

Please note that these forms will be completed and mailed out on a rolling basis, approximately every two weeks. We encourage you to send these forms in with plenty of advance notice.

All forms should be either emailed to academic-deans@mtholyoke.edu or mailed to:

Office of Academic Deans
ŷ��AV
50 College Street
South Hadley, MA 01075

If you want to check on the status of your certification forms you can call the office at 413-538-2855.

Policies regarding leaves of absence can be found in the Student Handbook.

Withdrawal

Voluntary withdrawal from the College necessitates official notification from students who wish to transfer to another institution or leave ŷ��AV permanently. Students should visit our for further information.

Readmission

Students who are required to withdraw from the College may apply for readmission through a separate process from the Admissions Office. Students should complete a readmission application and return it to the Office of Academic Deans. There is a non-refundable $75 processing fee. Deadlines are March 15 for fall admission and October 15 for spring admission.

Download the instructions for readmission (pdf)

Download the readmission application (pdf)

Academic Deans staff

Faculty and staff

Sarah Adelman

Professor of Economics
Dean of Studies

Heather Bayne

Office Manager and Assistant to the Dean of Studies

Kathryn Eldred

Student Success Coordinator

Anna Fung-Morley

Business Analyst

Alison Hopkins

Assistant Dean of Studies
Academic Dean for Sophomores & Juniors

Kathryn A. McMenimen

Associate Professor of Chemistry
Academic Dean for Seniors

Kimberly Parent

Associate Dean of Studies
Academic Dean for New Students

Contact us

Office of Academic Deans

The Office of Academic Deans assists students with course selection and major declaration, addresses issues related to credit shortages or overloads, consults about leaves, monitors academic progress and nominates students for honors and awards.

academic-deans@mtholyoke.edu
413-538-3610
3rd floor, Mary Lyon Hall

Heather Bayne

Office Manager and Assistant to the Dean of Studies

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