Students Affairs: Staff Directory

Angie Tissi-Gassoway

Angie Tissi-Gassoway

Chief Student Affairs Officer and Dean of Students

Keefe Campus Center
Carolyn Coulter

Carolyn Coulter

Executive Assistant and Office Manager for Student Affairs

Keefe Campus Center Room 207A

Student Accessibility Services

Precious S. Parham

Precious S. Parham

Associate Director of Student Accessibility Services

Converse Hall Room 201
Raphaela Moreno

Raphaela Moreno

Access Coordinator

Converse Hall Room B4

Raphaela coordinates academic accommodation logistics, including Peer Note Takers, testing accommodations, and assistive tech. 

Brian Hutchins

Brian Hutchins

Administrative Assistant

Converse Hall Room 201

Student Care

Scott D. Howard

Scott D. Howard

Associate Dean of Students

Andy Tew

Andy Tew

Director of Student Care

Shannon Farrand-Bernardin

Shannon Farrand-Bernardin

Student Care Coordinator

Converse Hall Room 201
Charlotte R. Ross

Charlotte R. Ross

Administrative Assistant for Care & Accountability

Converse Hall Room 201

Class Deans

Charri J. Boykin-East

Charri J. Boykin-East

Senior Associate Dean of Students

Converse Hall Room 201-E

Dean Boykin-East has special responsibilities for the Time Management Program for all students.  She is also available for general and academic counseling for the Class of 2024. Dean Boykin-East is also a member of several of the College’s committees.

Jess Caldwell-O'Keefe

Jess Caldwell-O'Keefe

Senior Associate Dean of Students & Class Dean

Converse Hall Room 201-D

Provides personal and academic counseling of students in the Class of 2026.

David E. Schneider

David E. Schneider

Georges Lurcy Professor of Music; Dean of the Class of 2023

Converse Hall Room 201-C

Provides personal and academic counseling of students in the Class of 2025; Georges Lurcy Professor of Music & European Studies; Class Dean

Kiara M. Vigil

Kiara M. Vigil

Associate Professor of American Studies; Dean of New Students

Converse Hall Room 201-F

Dean of New Students Kiara Vigil has responsibilities for the personal and academic counseling of students in the Class of 2027 and first year new transfer scholars. She may be consulted on matters relating to the general and academic counseling of first-year students, college regulations and requirements, matters related to academic advising by faculty of new students, and the First-Year Seminar courses. She is also the Faculty Director of the Summer Bridge Program.

Book an Appointment

Michelle L. Welles

Michelle L. Welles

Senior Academic Support Coordinator

Michelle provides all aspects of administrative support for the 2026 Class Dean/Senior Associate Dean Jess Caldwell-O'Keefe and Dean of New Students Kiara Vigil.  Michelle oversees the implementation of processes and policies used by the Team of Class Deans.  Michelle also provides support and training for the staff of Academic Support Coordinators.

Center for Counseling and Mental Health

The Center for Counseling and Mental Health staff provides assessment, counseling, brief psychotherapy, and referral to Amherst College students on a voluntary and confidential basis. Stop by the Center for Counseling and Mental Health, located in three locations around campus: Scott House, Hitchcock Hall, and the basement level of Smith House. Or call us at 413-542-2354 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.


Health Education

Amanda C. Vann

Amanda C. Vann

Director of Residential Engagement and Wellbeing

Health Services: Keefe Health Center Building

Emily M. Jones

Emily M. Jones

Director of Student Health Services

Immigration

Hanna Bliss

Hanna Bliss

Director of Immigration and Visa Services

Converse 202

Pronouns: she/her/hers.  Hanna serves as the director of the Office of Immigration Services.  Her work focuses on immigration advising, tracking and interpreting immigration policy, and maintaining compliance with the federal regulations affecting international students.

Office of Residential Engagement & Wellbeing

Amanda C. Vann

Amanda C. Vann

Director of Residential Engagement and Wellbeing

Residential Engagement & Wellbeing at Amherst advances academic priorities, encourages both socialization and community-building, and supports students’ well-being and safety.  Residential Engagement & Wellbeing staff are here to assist you. Both professional and student staff are available to answer any of your questions and point you in the right direction.

Operations and Finance

Chad M. LaDue

Chad M. LaDue

Director of Office of Student Affairs Finance and Operations

Office for Identity and Cultural Resources

David Dongseong Ko

David Dongseong Ko

Director, Center for International Student Engagement

Keefe Campus Center

Pronouns: he/his  

David Ko serves as the Director of International Student Engagement. The Center for International Student Engagement (CISE) supports students of international experience through advocacy, centralized resources, and space for community building and critical reflection. With his own personal experience of living in the U.S. as an international student, David is passionate about creating an inclusive, connected, and purposeful campus environment for international students and build bridges between international students and the larger community.

Hayley G. Nicholas

Hayley G. Nicholas

Director of Gender and LGBTQ+ Equity and Engagement

Keefe Campus Center
Pronouns: she/they
 
Hayley is the Director of the Women's and Gender Center (WGC) which supports, uplifts, and celebrates women, femmes, and nonbinary students on campus and beyond. The Center also serves as a resource for all students who want to deepen their understanding of gender identity and feminism. Before her time in the WGC, Hayley was an Assistant Dean in the Amherst College Admission Office, where she oversaw outreach initiatives for prospective and admitted students of color as well as first-generation and/or low-income students. In her free time, she loves hiking with her dog, throwing clay on the wheel, road tripping, cooking, and listening to music and podcasts.
Harrison A. Blum

Harrison A. Blum

Director of Religious and Spiritual Life

Staff members of the Office of Religious Life are happy to support you in your religious and spiritual exploration and practice.

Student Affairs Operations

Dean J. Gendron

Dean J. Gendron

Senior Associate Dean of Students

Dean Gendron is responsible for assisting the Amherst College community with informal and formal conflict resolution.  He collaborates closely with students, faculty, and staff to examine community standards and to provide opportunities for the redress of alleged violations of those standards in conjunction with the Committee on Discipline. Dean works closely with several groups and committees, including the Title IX Team, the Case Management Team, and the Alcohol and Other Drugs Task Force.

Marie Lalor

Marie Lalor

Director of Housing and Operations

Corey J. Michalos

Corey J. Michalos

Director of Community Standards

Zara S. DiZoglio

Zara S. DiZoglio

Assistant Director of Community Standards