January 13, 2023
Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty,
I am writing to share some news with you about an important decision made by one of our colleagues.
Chief Student Affairs Officer and Dean of Students Liz Agosto has decided to step down from her role at the College at the end of this month. From my conversations with Liz, I know that she put a great deal of thought and consideration into this step, and she has determined that she needs to have more flexibility to assist with family obligations and provide support and care to them. Liz has conveyed to me and her team that this was a very difficult decision and one that, even though it is the right one for her and her family, also elicits great sadness for her.
I know you will join me in thanking Liz for her remarkable service and leadership at Amherst College over the past three and a half years. With Liz at the helm, Student Affairs supported our student body during one of the most challenging moments in our institutional history, and she and her team did so with compassion, wisdom, and vision. Her dedication and commitment during the pandemic was extraordinary, and we all owe her our profound gratitude for all she has done. Moreover, over the last semester, I have seen first-hand and have admired the way Liz has navigated important conversations on campus about issues as diverse as accessibility, campus safety, and the role of student leadership. She has emphasized and led an effort dedicated to creating a holistic, strategic approach to student well-being; the work that she has led in this domain will be one of her many legacies.
Transitions are difficult in any organization, and of course they are more difficult when they are unanticipated. I want to assure you that I, along with the other members of the Senior Staff, will be working hard to support Student Affairs—and our students—through this transition period. I have already met with the OSA leadership team, and I will move quickly to appoint an Interim Chief Student Affairs Officer in the weeks ahead. OSA’s success as a division is essential to the mission of Amherst College, and I pledge to all of you my support as we seek to continue to build a thriving student community.
Sincerely,
Michael A. Elliott
President, Amherst College