Deans’ Office Staff
Deans’ Office Staff
Holly Tedder
Dean for Academic Planning and Class Advising
Holly Tedder serves as Dean for Academic Planning and Class Advising, and is responsible for overseeing Barnard's advising programs, the work of the class deans, and the Center for Accessibility Resources & Disability Services (CARDS), as well as the implementation of Barnard's academic policies and procedures. Previously, Dean Tedder served as Director of the Center for Accessibility Resources & Disability Services, where she was primarily responsible for ensuring access for Barnard community members with disabilities. Prior to joining the College in January 2019, Tedder was Director of Disability Services and Associate Registrar at The Juilliard School, where she was responsible for providing access for students with disabilities and academic advising support for music students. She earned a B.A. in music from Rollins College, an M.A. in higher and postsecondary education from Teachers College, and is currently an Ed.D. candidate in higher education administration at Northeastern University.
Wendy Garay
Senior Associate Dean, Dean for the First Year Class
Schedule an appointment with Dean Garay | First Year Class Blog | About Dean Garay
As the First-Year Class Dean, Dean Garay is someone who can help you navigate your first year at college and be a source of advising and support. She provides information and guidance to all first-year students throughout the year via meetings, workshops, and blog postings, and you can meet with her individually during walk-in hours or appointment times to talk about questions that may arise or concerns that you may have.
As a supplemental adviser to all first-year students, Dean Garay can also help you identify the many people on campus who can help answer your questions and provide assistance if you experience an emergency or difficult extenuating circumstances during the year. Don’t hesitate to reach out to her if and when you need help, or if you’re just not sure where to direct a question.
Mary Laurita
Associate Dean for Transfer Students and Sophomore Class Dean
Schedule an appointment with Dean Laurita | Sophomore Class Blog | About Dean Laurita
As the Sophomore Class Dean, Dean Laurita is here to help you to understand and navigate through your second year at Barnard. The sophomore year is an exciting time, when you’ll be deciding on a major, figuring out where your intellectual interests lie, gaining more skills, and feeling more independence as a student and scholar. It’s a great time to meet more faculty, gain more in-depth knowledge about all the resources available to you as you continue your academic and intellectual journey at Barnard, and to understand what you need in order to do your best work and to thrive over the next three years. Dean Laurita is here to provide information and guidance, to listen and support.
As Associate Dean for Transfer Students, Dean Laurita is here to guide and assist transfer students through this important transition. She is well-versed in the issues and concerns that you will likely have as you transition to Barnard and is here to answer any questions you may have. If she doesn’t have all the answers, she will know where to guide you so that you can feel comfortable and welcome as you enter into, and get acclimated to this new culture and environment.
Please feel free to reach out to Dean Laurita (use appointment link above or send her an email at mlaurita@kcycar.com). She is always happy to help.
Erica Siegel
Associate Dean for Academic Assistance and Junior Class Dean
As the Junior Class Dean, Dean Siegel is here to help you make the most of your third year at Barnard College. This is an exciting time, as you work earnestly in your major and build upon the skills and knowledge you acquired in your first two years of undergraduate study. You may also be starting to think about the possible paths you may take after graduation. Dean Siegel is delighted to join you in any reflection and brainstorming along these lines and others, and to provide you with any advice and support you may require. As Associate Dean for Academic Assistance, she oversees the Peer-to-Peer tutoring program, and she aims, more broadly, to help promote wellness and success among the study body.
You can see Dean Siegel's availability and book her for an appointment here. Please don't hesitate to do so, especially if something is on your mind, but also to simply introduce yourself and say hello. You can also visit the junior class blog for information throughout the year. It is updated regularly with information about deadlines, events, and opportunities.
Rebecca Grabiner
Senior Class Dean
As the Senior Class Dean, Dean Grabiner is someone who can help you navigate your senior year at college and be a source of advising and support. In partnership with faculty and other administrators, she provides information and guidance to all seniors throughout the year via meetings, workshops, and blog postings. You can meet with her individually during walk-in hours or appointment times to talk about questions that may arise or concerns that you may have. To schedule an appointment, visit here.
As a supplemental adviser to all Barnard seniors, Dean Grabiner shares your goal: for you to graduate! She is here to help if you experience an emergency or difficult extenuating circumstances during the year. If she's not the best person to assist, she's always happy to direct you to additional resources. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to her if and when you need help, or if you’re just not sure where to direct a question.
The Senior Class Blog will be an important resource of information for you throughout the year. Sometimes the blog postings will remind you of important deadlines coming up, and sometimes the postings will inform you of special events and opportunities. The blog is also the site where you can find links to other offices on campus who can provide both guidance and advice about specific questions. So be sure to bookmark the blog site and check it at least once a week.
Allie Johnston Program Coordinator, Academic Coach
Schedule an Appointment Allie Johnston | About Allie Johnston | Email Allie | Academic Coaching and the Peer Coaches
Allie was born and raised in Grand Junction, Colorado, and earned her BA in psychology and humanistic studies from Saint Mary’s College, a women’s college in Notre Dame, Indiana. She worked there as an RA during her junior and senior years, and went on to service work in early childhood education after graduation. She holds a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs from NYU. As Program Coordinator and Academic Coach, Allie is available for consultations with any student who is struggling to manage their time and meet their goals. She can also discuss a potential match with one of our Peer Academic Coaches.
Kassie Gillis-Harry College Case Manager and Leaves and Returns Coordinator
Schedule an Appointment Kassie Gillis-Harry | About Kassie Gillis-Harry | Email Kassie | Information about Leaves of Absence
Kassie hails from New Jersey, and earned their BA in Psychology and Sociology from Montclair State University. They subsequently worked at Loyola University Chicago as a Research Assistant and as a Project Coordinator at The University of Illinois Chicago. They completed their master’s of Science in Community Psychology from DePaul University in 2022, and, as a Graduate Student Advisor and Research Assistant in that program, gained extensive experience in student support. If you are considering taking a leave of absence from Barnard College, please make an appointment with Kassie. They are there to clarify the process and support you through all of its phases.