Koren Bakkegard, associate vice president for campus life and dean of students, will step down from her position at the University next Friday, according to a Feb. 13 Today@Brown announcement from Vice President for Campus Life Patricia Poitevien ’94 MD’98.
Bakkegard came to Brown in 2019 from Stanford University, according to the announcement, where she worked from 2004 to 2019. During her time on College Hill, she helped oversee the opening of three residence halls and led the creation of the Brunonians Living Off Campus program.
Bakkegard also led partnerships on campus to develop the Brown Experience and Advising Record system, co-led the Ivy+ Student Health and Wellness Learning Collaborative and helped relaunch the Community Dialogue Project.
In an email to the Herald, Poitevien described Bakkegard as a key figure in the Division of Campus Life since she arrived on campus.
“From guiding major residential improvements to fostering wellness and dialogue across campus, her work has been defined by a deep commitment to an inclusive community,” Poitevien wrote.
The University will “launch a national search” for the next dean of students in the coming weeks, according to a Feb. 19 Today@Brown announcement from Poitevien. The search committee, chaired by Poitevien, will include members from divisions across the University. An external search firm will also assist in identifying potential candidates.
In the interim period, Bakkegard’s responsibilities will be divided among administrators in the Division of Campus Life.
The Office of Residential Life and the Student Activities Office will be overseen by Dana Hamdan, associate vice president for finance and administration. Associate Vice President for Strategic Assessment and Student Experience Susan Layden and Associate Vice President of Campus Life for Inclusive Community and Belonging Loc Truong will oversee Student Support Services and the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards. Poitevien will take on any responsibilities not covered by Hamdan, Layden and Truong.
The three associate vice presidents “bring decades of experience in higher education that will ensure a seamless transition and a steady environment for our students,” Poitevien wrote.
After leaving the University, Bakkegard will “focus on her personal renewal before embarking on the next phase of her professional journey,” according to the announcement.
“I am excited to pursue new opportunities to foster belonging, community engagement, and wellbeing,” Bakkegard wrote in an email to The Herald. “I will be forever grateful for the extraordinary students and colleagues I had the honor to serve and serve alongside at Brown.”
Ian Ritter is a university news and science & research editor, covering graduate schools and students. He is a junior concentrating in chemistry. When he isn’t at The Herald or exploding lab experiments, you can find him playing the clarinet or watching the Mets.
