By Emily Gold Boutilier
Athletics Director Suzanne Coffey is now the chief student affairs officer.[Administration] At the request of President Biddy Martin, Suzanne Coffey has left her position as athletics director to step into the new role of chief student affairs officer. Coffey—who began the student affairs position in February—has assumed many of the responsibilities of Dean of Students Jim Larimore, who, citing personal reasons, recently announced his decision to resign.
“It has become obvious over the past two years that we have unique opportunities for positive change, but also serious challenges that need to be addressed in student life,” Martin wrote in a letter announcing the change. “We cannot afford the time it would take to conduct a lengthy search, nor can we afford a brief interim solution.”
Coffey (left) “will lead the implementation of organizational, personnel and management changes that have been recommended by reviews of student affairs,” Martin wrote. She described Coffey as “one of the most talented and effective administrators I have known over the course of my career.”
“Suzanne’s leadership will allow us to make progress toward our ultimate goal of being a model of how students’ co-curricular learning and their social lives can be a more integral and enjoyable part of their educational experience at Amherst,” Martin wrote.
Don Faulstick, associate athletics director, was named interim director of athletics.
Photo by Rob Mattson