Welcome to the Dean of Studies Office (DOS)!

Our mission is to support and guide students throughout their academic journey, ensuring they have access to the resources and assistance they need to thrive. Here’s an overview of what we do:

Academic Progress

  • Advising and Guidance: We collaborate with dons and faculty to help students navigate their academic paths and work toward completing their degrees.
  • One-on-One Meetings: In addition to the support students receive from their dons, class deans are available for individual meetings to discuss academic policies, curricular options, and to provide advice tailored to each student specific needs.
  • Academic Support: We assist students who need additional help by connecting them with appropriate college resources.

Committee on Student Work

This standing committee, comprised of faculty, administrators, and students, plays a crucial role in:

  • Reviewing students' academic progress at the end of every semester
  • Setting and evaluating academic policies and procedures
  • Hearing student appeals for exceptions to academic policies
  • Reviewing plans for leaves of absence and off-campus study programs (both domestic and abroad)
  • Screening candidates for competitive postgraduate scholarships and fellowships

First Year Studies

We make first year studies assignments, provide support to dons and their donnees to help first year students have a strong start to their college experience.

 

For more detailed information about the Dean of Studies Office and our functions, please refer to the Undergraduate Academic Policies and Procedures section of the Student Handbook.

We're here to help you make the most of your academic experience!

Academic Coaching via the Learning Commons

One-on-one Academic Coaching is available by appointment in the Learning Commons (virtual appointments are available as well.) Walk-in appointments are also an option on a first-come, first-serve basis. In these sessions, Academic Coaches will work individually with students to identify academic areas of concern and create an action plan for success in a collaborative manner. These plans typically include strategies that target:

  • time management
  • effective reading and note-taking of course materials
  • strengthening communication with faculty
  • how to proactively process feedback on work

In order to schedule an appointment with an Academic Coach please use this Schedule Link​. While scheduled appointments are recommended students can also just walk right into the LC during the coaches' hours as featured here.

Beverly Fox

Dean of Studies

Senior Class Dean

bfox@sarahlawrence.edu

914.395.2251

Westlands, 207A

Schedule an advising appointment with Dean Fox

 

Rachelle Rumph (she/her)

Senior Associate Dean of Studies, Director of the Learning Commons 

Sophomore Class Dean

rrumph@sarahlawrence.edu

914.395.2250

Westlands, 207B

Schedule an Advising Appointment with Dean Rumph

 

Melinda Perlo Cohen (she/her)

Associate Dean for Preprofessional Advising

Junior Class Dean

mcohen@sarahlawrence.edu

914.323.6005

Bates, 320A

Schedule an Advising Appointment with Dean Cohen 

 

Nahal Kaivan (she/her)

First Year Dean

nkaivan@sarahlawrence.edu

914.395.2590

Bates, 220

Schedule an Advising Appointment with Dean Kaivan

 

Melissa McCarter

Administrative Assistant

mmccarter@sarahlawrence.edu

914.395.2249

Westlands, 207

 

Dean of Studies Office

Westlands, Room 207
(914) 395-2249
deanofstudies@sarahlawrence.edu