Marina Melendez’83 and Noel Garrett, the new deans for the classes of 2010 and 2011 respectively, say they approach their jobs with an open-mind and a strong belief in the diverse community they see themselves participating in.

Melendez enters her eighth year at Wesleyan, having previously served as the Director of Graduate Student Services, International Immigration Adviser, and Interim Coordinator for International Services. Though she views Wesleyan as a diverse community, she also sees a challenge in balancing solidarity amongst minority students with integrating the student body as a whole.

“Marginal students do segregate themselves, but I think they do so for safety, comfort- level reasons,” Melendez said. “I think marginal students have to interact, but we have to understand that that’s why some groups keep to themselves.”

Garrett, coming from the New School in New York City, where he most recently served as the director for Student Support and Crisis Management, echoed Melendez’s impression of Wesleyan as a diverse campus.

“Wesleyan is a well-known goal for students from the New School, for students that want a more diverse community,” Garrett said. “Wesleyan is diverse in just about any way you slice it…I’d like to see nothing change at Wes.”

Both Melendez and Garrett have said that while they have met with new president Michael Roth, they have not sat and talked with him in a professional context, though both expressed an eagerness to do so.

Both of the deans say they see themselves as problem-solvers.

“Every student is a person, not a problem, not a symptom,” Garrett said. “We all make choices, some with positive effects, some with not so positive effects. But it’s not a mistake if you learn from the not so positive effects. As Dean I see myself as working with students on adjusting to life here, helping overcome shyness, lots of problem solving.”

Melendez spent most of her first week working with transfer students and helping them set up schedules. She also made an effort to meet as many of the people she will work with as possible.

“We had an ice cream social on Sunday where I was able to meet with 200 students,” Melendez said. “I’ve started to make some efforts to
meet with departments, Res Life people, and area heads.”

Despite what both saw as a successful first week, they recognize the problems inherent in their new job.

“Most students may never come in to North College and meet with us,” Melendez said. “Sophomores have been called the ‘invisible class.’ I want to eliminate that myth.”

When asked if he had a specific agenda for what he’d like to see change in his time here, Garrett was hesitant to commit so early.

“Come back in a year and ask me,” Garrett s
aid. Nonetheless, he’s “excited about being new to the university and building this new experience together.”

In addition to both beginning their careers in the Dean’s office, both Melendez and Garrett expect to receive their Ph. D’s this winter. Melendez will receive her degree in Education from the University of Connecticut in December, while Garrett will receive his degree in Clinical Psychology from the New School for Social Research.

When asked if he had any requests for the class of 2011, Garrett had simple advice.

“Just pop by and say hi,” Garrett said.