Meet the senior officers

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the eight senior officers are the top administrators of the College, each leading a certain administrative division. To maintain the joint-governance ethos of the College, the senior officers chair many of the key committees which student representatives sit on and work closely with the Vassar Student Association (VSA) Executive Board to oversee the College's day-to-day as well as long-term operations.

Along with the above demanding set of duties, the senior officers often engage with the Vassar community and can be seen serving breakfast at 12:00 a.m., being dunked in water tanks or cheerleading (yes, with pom poms).

Each of the senior officers schedules open office hours during the year, which are posted by the Office of the President, and are available by appointment. For more information on the when, where and how of these activities, be sure to read all-campus e-mails and refer to The Miscellany News.

Catharine Bond Hill | President, Professor of Economics

Office Location: Second Floor, Main Building

Living with her family in the President's House, adjacent to Main and the Chapel, President Catharine Bond Hill—or "Cappy," as she is affectionately referred to within the Vassar community—is the 10th president of the College. "The President, working closely with the senior officers, is responsible for the operations of the college," wrote Hill in an e-mail. "This includes implementing existing policies, as well as thinking about Vassar's future. I work closely with faculty, students, and staff through a variety of committees. I also work quite closely with the Board of Trustees. New students can meet with me during my office hours, or just say hi to me anywhere they see me on campus." It should be noted that Hill also encourages trick or treating at her house on Halloween, and reportedly gives out copious amounts of candy.

Hill has made educational access a defining commitment of her tenure. Utilizing her understanding of the economics of higher education, Hill assisted the College in reinstating need-blind admissions and replacing loans with grants for needy families. This year Hill has a number of goals, including the continuation of Vassar's sesquicentennial celebrations. "We'll be continuing to celebrate our sesquicentennial this fall.  I hope new students will take part.  We've got several special events planned for the fall on campus," she wrote. "We are also continuing our Vassar 150: World Changing campaign.  This is important to the college and will take up some of my time this coming year. Vassar can offer the wonderful academic experience that it does because of the generosity of alums and friends of the college.  We are in a fund raising campaign with a goal of raising $400 million. To date, we've raised about $275 million, which is very exciting.  But, we have more work to do."

Hill, working with other faculty and administrators, is also working on plans for the new integrated science center. She says that they hope to make some decisions about the plans in the fall. In addition to this work, Hill has been working with a committee of students, faculty, and Trustees to begin revising the College's Governance—the documents that outline the structure and functions of the College. 

Hill has some advice for new students: "Students will have so many wonderful opportunities over the next four years.  Take some time and get settled in," she wrote. "Take your classes seriously and get to know your professors.  They are superb and they are at Vassar because they are deeply engaged in their fields (including research and artistic work) and because they love to teach.  If you have a question about something, ask someone.  Other students, faculty and staff are all happy to help." Hill sends out all-campus e-mails to the Vassar community at least twice a semester and sets up office hours to meet with anyone who so desires.

"I really enjoy and appreciate being part of the Vassar academic community," wrote Hill. "The education that we offer is so special, it is really fun to be a part of it. I enjoy going to a variety of lectures (continuing to be a student in some ways).  I like attending student productions/performances/athletic events.  There is such a wealth of things going on on campus almost all the time."

Jonathan Chenette | Dean of the Faculty, Professor of Music

Office Location: First floor of Main Building

According to Dean of the Faculty Jon Chenette, one of his favorite parts of working at Vassar is the scholarly community. "I am very proud of our faculty and their world-changing accomplishments as well as their genuine and deep devotion to our students," he wrote in an emailed statement. 

As Dean of the Faculty, Chenette leads the the appointments of College faculty and faculty reviews as well as Vassar's academic policies. According to Chenette, "The Dean of the Faculty's responsibilities include overseeing faculty appointments and reviews, supporting faculty development, supervising the academic departments and programs, and overseeing the continuing study and development of the curriculum and academic policies." Both the Field Work Office and the Registrar fall under the Dean of the Faculty Division. 

Chenette oversees the process of reviewing the curriculum and academic policies. Students have the opportunity to get involved in this process by running for a position on the Committee for Curricular Policies (CCP), which Chenette chairs. He works closely with the members of this committee as well as with the Vassar Student Association (VSA) Vice President for Academics, who also sits on CCP. The Dean of the Faculty has a full job, and Chenette added that his position includes coordinating "the annual process of planning the curriculum and staffing for the following academic year, provides funding for faculty-sponsored academic lectures and events, and initiates and supports curricular change initiatives."

This year, Chenette intends to get the campus involved in looking at the curriculum. "I plan to call for intensive discussions of our curriculum -- especially the Freshman Writing Seminars, the role of science and math studies in a Vassar education (as we move ahead in planning for a major integrated science project), and the role of senior capstone projects and other individually mentored student research and creative work," he wrote. "I also hope the faculty can move ahead with revisions to our Course Evaluation Questionnaires and other improvements in the way we evaluate teaching. I hope as well that we can improve our course registration process."

Aside from his administrative work, Chenette is also an avid musical composer and counts symphonies, chamber music, vocal music, electronic music, and an opera among his work. True to his position, Chenette has this advice for new students: "Get to know your faculty. Seek them out at office hours, invite them to a meal at ACDC, find out about their scholarship, and get involved in their research team, if there is an opportunity. Some of them will be the ones who help you open doors as you make your way in the world. They are your greatest resource in getting the most our of your Vassar education."

Christopher Roellke | Dean of the College, Professor of Education

Office Location: Second floor of Main Building

Charged with the rather expansive duty of "assisting students in their academic and nonacademic affairs" and with the leadership of a host of offices, Dean of the College Christopher Roellke lives in Vassar's Pratt House (near Cushing and Noyes Houses) with his family and three dogs. In addition to heading many student life-oriented offices—which include the Campus Life Office, the Career Development Office, the Dean of Students Office, Disability and Support Services, and Security—the the Dean of the College also develops and implements college regulations and disciplinary actions by chairing the Committee on College Life. Roellke is also known on campus for his enthusiasm for athletics, mostly displayed in his assisting the faculty team to a 66-65 win at a faculty-student basketball game held at the beginning of the spring; the game served as a fundraiser for the senior class gift and a bonding activity after the stress the College suffered as a result of the economic downturn. Roellke, too, encourages trick or treating at Pratt on Halloween night.

Roellke is among the senior officers who send out e-mails most frequently to students: The topics covered range from flu vaccination alerts to campus security updates.

Susan DeKrey | Vice President for Communications

Office Location: Second floor of Main Building

Vice President for Communications Susan DeKrey wants students to know that they can be involve with her office: "Students should know that we are very interested in student projects (academic and extracurricular) and achievements and are always looking for good stories about students for our publications and websites. We welcome student ideas!"

Though the Office of Communications may not be on the minds of students on an every-day basis, if you have ever used a Vassar College website then you have interacted with the work of this office. The Vice President for Communications is responsible for all aspects of Vassar communications, and there are many. DeKrey notes, "These include the development, design, and production of print and electronic communications including a wide range of publications and websites for academic departments and administrative offices; admissions and alumnae/i communications, including the Vassar Quarterly, and media relations." DeKrey also oversees many summertime events at the College, including the Powerhouse Theater program, and special events during the year, such as Parents' Weekend.

This year, DeKrey will continue to work on sesquicentennial-related projects. "For academic year 2010-11, we will continue to create communications that support the college's Sesquicentennial and its fundraising campaign and we will be taking a fresh look at admissions communications," she wrote.

According to DeKrey, she loves working with the creative people at the College and has this advice for new students: "There are so many avenues open for you here -- take advantage!  (And send good student story ideas to Communications...)"

Bret Ingerman | Vice President for Computing and Information Services

Office Location: Computer Center

The Vice President for Computing and Information Services is responsible for everything that might be labeled "technology"—from classroom computers and projectors to the wireless network to your VCard. "As the Vice President for Computing and Information Services I am responsible for setting the vision and strategic direction for technology at the College as well as ensuring that the many technology-based systems and services work as planned," wrote Ingerman.  The reach of technology on campus is vast and includes, "computing, telecommunications, networking (both data and voice), audiovisual, retail computer (and computer related) sales, and the campus Card Office (including ID cards, door access, vending, and off-campus merchant sales). CIS supports all members of the Vassar community in the use of technology to support and enhance teaching, learning, research and administrative functions."

Because so many aspects of technology are connected to how students live and learn at Vassar, Ingerman regularly visits the VSA Council to update students about CIS' latest projects and to hear student comments. "Don't be afraid to let us know when you are experiencing problems with a technology or service that we offer, especially if you have suggestions on how we can do things better or differently," wrote Ingerman. "If we aren't aware of a problem then we can't try to fix it. Also do not be shy of suggesting ways in which we can better help you use technology as a part of your life at Vassar." Ingerman says that students can also get involved directly by taking part in the Student Technology Advisory Council.

While students may not see much of the work of CIS, it reaches every part of Vassar life. "This year CIS will begin work on one of our largest technology-related projects to date:  replacing the 25 year old telephone system," wrote Ingerman. " While much of what we will be working on will be related to the technology that is behind-the-scenes, the new system will impact virtually every administrative and faculty office on campus."

According to Ingerman, the people at Vassar make working at the College very enjoyable, "It may seem like a cliche," he wrote, "but the people at Vassar are what makes it special."

"The students that I meet are simply amazing, and I thoroughly enjoy working with my colleagues in CIS and on the Senior Staff, which makes coming to work every day a true pleasure.  And the level of dedication on the part of the faculty and administration make it especially rewarding when we can help them use technology to meet their goals." CIS sends updates to students when work is being done on the wireless network or other area that might affect students. For computer questions, students can e-mail cis@vassar.edu.

Cathy Baer | Vice President for Development

Office Location: Old Laundry Building

The Vice President of Development oversees the College's fundraising. Because a significant portion of the College's budget is provided by the Annual Fund, which is made up of gifts to the College, Baer's role is vital to the operation of the College. Though most gifts come from outside of campus—from alumnae/i and other friends of the College—students can take on a leadership role in Development with the sophomore and senior class gifts. In 2009-2010, the Class of 2012 raised money for a 24 Hour Study Space in the Thompson Memorial Library, and the Class of 2010 established the 2010 Endowed Scholarship Fund for financial aid.

Elizabeth Eismeier | Vice President for Finance and Administration

Office Location: Second Floor of Main Building

The Vice President for Finance and Administration is responsible for the finances and business aspects of the College. "You could think of my role as being responsible (very very broadly responsible) for Vassar's key assets:  human resources, financial assets, and physical assets," wrote Eismeier in an emailed statement. This is understandable enough, but the job is truly expansive. "As Vice President for Finance and Administration, I work with the administrators and staff in the following offices:  Human Resources, Accounting Services, Investments, Budget and Planning, Buildings and Grounds Services, Insurance and Risk Management, Purchasing, the Post Office, the Copy Center, and the Bookstore.  I work with several campus committees on which students serve (the Priorities and Planning Committee and the Campus Master Planning Committee) and a few others that are primarily faculty-administrative committees (Technology Planning, Benefits, and Crisis Response Planning)."

"Working with a large group of offices and departments means that I have to support the goals of many co-workers, making sure that we all move forward toward key objectives," wrote Eismeier. Though much of her office's work is behind the scenes, the work is very important to the long-term financial health of the College. According to Eismeier, some of the goals for her office include, "sustaining the efforts to regain financial equilibrium after the deep recession, striving for the best total return on investment of the endowment that supports so much of what we do, and supporting the final phases of design and financing of the improvements in science facilities at Vassar."

Eismeier sends e-mail updates about the College's budgetary decisions, such as changes to tuition and student fees (residence, meal plan, student activities fee and health services fee). 

Eismeier says that she quite enjoys the work environment at Vassar. "Colleges are great places to work," she wrote. "What we do matters in this world, and we are surrounded by students and faculty who expect us to do our best.  There are challenges, a willingness to innovate, and high expectations.  And more often than not—there is appreciation for a job well done."

"Make the very best of your time at Vassar—the four years will fly by!"