Search for Our Next Senior Vice President and Dean for Student Affairs
To the Bowdoin campus community,
I am writing with an update on the search for the senior vice president and dean for student affairs and with a request for your help with the process.
Since writing last week about Janet Lohmann’s retirement, I have put together a search committee that I will chair. I am grateful to the individuals listed below for their willingness to join this important committee.
We have also retained the search firm WittKieffer to assist with this work. Sheila Murphy, our search consultant from that firm, has extensive experience in the field of student affairs. She is eager to hear from as many members of the Bowdoin community as possible as we launch the search. Sheila will be on campus on Monday, February 26, and Tuesday, February 27, to listen and gather insights from our community. In addition to some small group meetings, Sheila will hold open forums for different groups at the times listed below. You are welcome to stay for all or part of a session.
I hope many of you will attend these open sessions and share your perspectives on the qualities, skills, and experiences that the search committee should be considering and prioritizing in this search. I also understand that this is short notice during a busy semester and that these times might not work for all of you. Please know that there will be other opportunities in the coming weeks to share your perspectives, including in a virtual session.
In addition to these campus meetings, the search committee invites you to share your thoughts by sending an email to deansearch@bowdoin.edu.
After feedback has been gathered from the Bowdoin community, we will write a position description to be shared with candidates. Following that, the search committee will begin its confidential work together.
I am grateful to the members of the search committee for their service to the College, and I am grateful to you for your input.
With my best wishes,
Safa
Campus Listening Sessions
Monday, February 26
1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Open session for administrative and support staff, Main Lounge, Moulton Union
4:20 to 5:20 p.m.
Open session for faculty, Main Lounge, Moulton Union
7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Open session for students, Daggett Lounge, Thorne Hall
Tuesday, February 27
8:00 to 9:30 a.m.
Open session for those unable to make one of the other sessions, Lancaster Lounge, Moulton Union
10:45 to 11:45 a.m.
Open session for staff in the Division of Student Affairs, Lancaster Lounge, Moulton Union
Search Committee
Senior Vice President and Dean for Student Affairs
Connie Chiang, professor of history and environmental studies
Benje Douglas, senior vice president for inclusion and diversity
Krishna Goenka ’26
Aaron Kitch, associate professor of English
Kevin Loney, assistant athletic director for facilities and event management
Sadie New ’25
Matt Orlando, senior vice president for finance and administration & treasurer
Eli Orlic, senior vice president and special assistant to the president & secretary of the College
Paul Wang ’24
Safa Zaki, president and professor of psychology