Hampshire's New Dean

This is dated November 3, 2008

If you were unaware, we have a new Dean of Student Services this year. Her name is Dawn Ellinwood. What does the Dean of Student Services do, you might ask. She is the director of out-of-classroom support and programs for students. This means that Health Services, Residence Life, Food Services, Public Safety, Campus Leadership and Activities, the cultural programs, Student Council, CORC, and OPRA report directly to her. However, there is plenty of collaboration between Student Services and CASA, Spiritual Life, and the Community Health Collaborative. Basically, everything out of classroom has something to do with Dawn.
Her biggest goal is to foster a sense of community. She says, “I feel part of Hampshire, but what do I feel a part of?” This is a difficult question to answer, but she is willing to hear out any student who wants to talk about community. She wants to be a resource on campus; all you have to do is make the first move. “There are a lot more of you than there are of me,” she claims. This should not be a deterrent, but rather an invitation to make yourself known to Dawn. She wants to participate as much as possible in the student experience, and therefore has an open door policy for suggestions and comments. In spite of this, she says, “I love going into a room and not being known, because I get to meet people in a different way. I want people to get to know me not the title.” She wants people to invite her to events and actually to get to know her. She just wants a bit of notice because she has a young child and would have to arrange child care. Her personality really is just as open and welcoming as she claims.
When asked about organization and processes (bureaucracy) at Hampshire. Dawn stated, “As a new set of eyes coming in, I can help others to see in a different way.” She knows that there are certain areas of disorganization that need to be worked on, but also realizes that some of the disorganization defines Hampshire's personality. For example, the lack of clear definition to Community Council's processes allows the students to have more control over their governance.
Dean Ellinwood, has been at this for a long time. She has spent most of her career in support positions on college campuses. This is her fifth such position, and she spent 12 years at Elms College in a very similar job as what she is doing here, now. She does not take lightly the fact that she spent a long time in one place and is now here. In fact, she feels that she really wants to be here, why else would she have left such a secure position. If you would like to chat with her, go to the office of Student Services, upstairs of the Merrill living room, you could also shoot her an email at DMEsa@hampshire.edu.