The Dean of Studies Office

The Office of the Dean of Studies provides important resources to all students as they develop their academic interests towards the successful fulfillment of their undergraduate degrees, and also as they plan for their post graduate education. The office oversees and coordinates the Dean of Freshmen, Class advisors, Office of Fellowships and Pre-Health Advising, Career Development and Pre-Law Advising, International Services, and Study Away Office.

New form: Communicate worries about a student to the Student of Concern Team

Dean of Studies: Joanne Long

The dean of studies, together with the dean of freshmen and the class advisors, are available to students for any nature of academic consultation. In addition to overall responsibility for the office, the dean of studies chairs the Committee on Student Records, the Committee on Readmission, the Committee on Fellowships, the Committee on Leaves and Privileges, and the Academic Panel.

Dean of Studies Office: Main Building, North 128
Phone: (845) 437-5257
Fax: (845) 437-7797
Mailing Address: 124 Raymond Ave. Box 5, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604-0005

Dean of Freshmen: Benjamin Lotto

The dean of freshmen supervises the premajor advising system, is responsible for the New Student Orientation Program, and advises first year students on all academic matters.

Visit the Dean of Freshmen website for information about new student orientation, academic information, and resources for freshmen.

Dean of Freshmen Office: Main Building, North 128
Phone: (845) 437-5258
Mailing Address: 124 Raymond Ave. Box 28, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604-0028

Class advisors

Students may seek academic advice from the dean of studies, the dean of freshmen, the advisors to sophomores, juniors, or seniors, their pre-major or major advisor, and informal advice from the house fellows or from individual faculty members. The dean of students and the director of residential life provide advice on nonacademic matters, as do the house advisors. The following are the advisors to sophomores, juniors, or seniors:

The advisors to sophomores, juniors and seniors should be consulted by students in those classes.

Office of Fellowships and Pre-Health Advising »

Director: Lisa Kooperman

Students wishing to learn the procedures and possibilities for application for post graduate national fellowships and Vassar fellowships, and students considering post graduate professional study in law, medicine or business should consult with the Office of Fellowships and Pre-Health Advising.

Fellowships and Pre-Health Advising Office: Main Building, N128
Phone: (845) 437-5263
Mailing Address: 124 Raymond Ave. Box 122, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604-0122
Fax: (845) 437-7060

Office of Career Development and Pre-Law Advising

Acting Director: Stacy Bingham

The Career Development Office provides a variety of resources for locating internships, summer employment, and full-time/post-graduate opportunities.  Prelaw and graduate school advisement is available.  Counselors are available to assist with locating a summer internship, choosing a major, and exploring the many options available with a Vassar education. 

Career Development Office: Main Building, South 170
Phone: (845) 437-5285
Mailing Address: 124 Raymond Ave. Box 7, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604-07
Fax: (845) 437-7257

Study Away Office »

The Study Away Office oversees programs domestic and abroad. Vassar students have the opportunity to spend one or two semesters at other American colleges and universities through a variety of exchange programs. Through the college's Junior Year Abroad program, Vassar students have studied at more than 100 sites in Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, and the Americas.

Study Away Office: Main Building, North 173
Phone: (845) 437-5260
Mailing Address: 124 Raymond Ave. Box 730, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604-0730

International Programs »

Director: Susan Correll

Students interested in Junior Year Abroad (JYA) are encouraged to study materials available in the reading room of the Study Abroad Office, and to consult there as they begin to prepare their applications. Ms. Correll evaluates JYA transfer credits and is responsible, in conjunction with the major advisor, for keeping track of a student's status while abroad.

International Programs Office: Main Building, North 173
Phone: (845) 437-5260
Mailing Address: 124 Raymond Ave. Box 730, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604-0730

International Services

Director: Andrew Meade

The Office of International Services offers a full range of resources for our international community of students and scholars, including advice and assistance in visa, immigration, tax, employment, cultural and general matters.

The office collaborates with the International Studies Program, Office of International Programs, Vassar International Student Association, Office of Career Development, and other offices and organizations in efforts to provide programming that speaks to the college’s mission to promote a global perspective among all our students. Support is provided to the college’s several fine international summer programs.

International Services Office: Main Building, 120
Phone: (845) 437-5831
Mailing Address: 124 Raymond Ave. Box 594, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604-0594

Domestic Leave Programs »

Director: Diana Brown

Students interested in studying at institutions in the United States and Canada should consult the Study Away Office office regarding materials, procedures, and transfer credit for exchange programs, such as the Twelve College Exchange Program, and other academic leaves. In addition, Ms. Brown is responsible for providing assistance to students who must petition the Committee on Leaves and Privileges with regard to a specific aspect of their academic program.