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Dear Class of 2021,

Let me start with an introduction: my name is Tanesha Leathers, and I’m excited to serve as your new class dean! During my academic and professional career, I’ve been a Pioneer, Eph, Terp, Blue Jay, and now I am proud to be a Cardinal. There are a few other key things you need to know about me, apart from the fact I come to you with almost 20 years of experience in higher education. The following are in no particular order:

• There’s nothing like a New York slice, and I’ve met few cupcakes (or other carbs for that matter) I didn’t like.
• Sadly, I still root for the Mets, Jets, and Knicks, but don’t judge me if I go to a Nets game sometime before the year is out.
• I love to bake and create all manner of things, and I believe laughter is the best medicine for much of what ails us.
• I’m happy to wax (not so poetically) about a host of random things.
• And, I would love to get to know more about you!

Do not hesitate to stop by to say hello and/or discuss any questions or concerns you may have moving forward. Starting September 2nd, I’m available for 10-minute sessions during fall drop-in advising hours: Mon. 2-3 p.m., Tues. 3-4 p.m., Wed. 4-6 p.m., Thurs. 11 a.m.-noon, and Fri. 2-4 p.m. You are also welcome to schedule a longer appointment with me by contacting my assistant, Ms. Joan Chiari, at 860.685.2758 or jchiari@wesleyan.edu. I’m available for appointments before the start of classes and through the fall and spring semesters.

As juniors, it is important to ensure you are abreast of your progress towards completing degree requirements. In service of that, I recommend you review your Credit Analysis Report (CAR) each semester; you may use WesPortal to access it. This report will inform you of the remaining credits you need to satisfy degree requirements, as well as provide guidance concerning where to direct your focus to complete those requirements. Additionally, checking your CAR will enable you to identify any room you may have for other curricular and co-curricular experiences before graduation.

This year is a time to not only experience the depth that pursuing work in your major/minor proffers, but it is a time to continue exploring the breadth of opportunities readily available to you (e.g. studying abroad, academic research, applying to an internship). Please consider the following:

• You may still be eligible to study abroad in Spring or Summer 2020, but deadlines are approaching quickly.
  • Visit the Office of Study Abroad in the Fries Center for Global Studies for information about options and application deadlines for specific programs.

• Now is the time to prepare for honors theses and capstone projects.
  • Contact your faculty advisor to discuss research opportunities within your department, whether you will be eligible to pursue an honors thesis senior year, and how to select a thesis advisor if you do commit to honors work.

• Do not let the year go by without meeting with a counselor in the Gordon Career Center to discuss your Summer 2020 plans and career opportunities for after graduation.

I look forward to welcoming you back to campus this fall, but don’t hesitate to contact me if I can be of any help to you before your return.

Enjoy the last week of summer break!

Dean Leathers