Dean Kristine Dillon has literally served as the cornerstone of Dowling Hall for the last three years. After coordinating the restructuring of student services that accompanied construction of the building, Dillon moved into a corner office, where she has sat to coordinate the various offices that surround her and oversee a multitude of student services projects. Dillon's legacy upon leaving Tufts is an impressive model of student services that is a far cry from the scattered student offices that littered the Hill uphill, downhill, and everywhere in between not so long ago.
Originally hired as a temporary consultant for the integration project, Dillon demonstrated tremendous skill in identifying and addressing the needs of the students. Dowling Hall effectively bridges the gap between student and administrative bodies with its open layout and well-informed front desk staff. But her ability to improve student life on campus extended beyond the creation of Dowling.
After the center was constructed in 2000, Tufts created a new permanent position for Dillon as the Dean of Academic Services and Student Affairs. Along with the Dean of Colleges and Dean of Students, the post is one of the most powerful deanships at the University. Dillon effectively shifted gears in her new role as the "Dean of Dowling," organizing workshops and seminars, overseeing the launch of the class teams and online registration, and co-chairing the comprehensive Task Force on the Undergraduate Experience.
But Dillon's main tasks as dean did not follow a specific set of guidelines. The novelty of the position allowed her to easily rework the student services environment as she saw fit, bringing in new ideas and innovations to improve student interaction with the University without the burden of much administrative oversight. The end result was a constant focus on student life, with Dillon possessing the necessary power and leadership skills to implement change.
In the coming search for Dillon's permanent replacement, it is essential that Tufts identify candidates who will share the ingenuity and foresight of their predecessor. With the somewhat ambiguous responsibility of improving student services, the new dean needs to be confident and highly student-focused. To hire a desk-sitter with little student interaction would be to waste the essence of the position. A truly effective candidate needs to be interested in changing the status quo and constantly re-examining the student experience.
Dillon's accomplishments at Tufts will be evident for years to come. She paved her own way, using her fifteen year experience in student affairs to contribute to everything from the construction of the new dorm to her Senior Leadership Corps project. Though Dillon's work has been impressive, Tufts needs her replacement to arrive with a new set of ideas and projects - not thoughts about how to continue Dillon's projects. Having a dynamic person in the corner of Dowling will ensure that student life is kept at the forefront of the University's attention.
