Filed Under > TC People
TC Alumna Named Dean of Barnard College
Avis Hinkson, who earned her master's degree in Student Personnel Administration from Teacher's College in 1987, has been appointed the new Dean of Barnard College, beginning in mid-February 2011. Hinkson, who also holds a BA in psychology from Barnard and an Ed.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, will serve as an advocate for students and oversee the Offices of the Dean of Studies, Admissions and Financial Aid, Registrar, Residential Life, Student Life and Health Services.
Avis Hinkson, who earned her master’s degree in Student Personnel Administration from Teacher’s College in 1987, has been appointed the new Dean of Barnard College, beginning in mid-February 2011. Hinkson, who also holds a BA in psychology from Barnard and an Ed.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, will serve as an advocate for students and oversee the Offices of the Dean of Studies, Admissions and Financial Aid, Registrar, Residential Life, Student Life and Health Services.
Hinkson has amassed nearly 30 years of experience in higher education, most recently as Director of Undergraduate Advising at the University of California-Berkeley. “Avis Hinkson is that unique combination—a Barnard alumna, a native New Yorker, and a proven leader with tremendous spirit and great ideas,” said Barnard President Debra L. Spar in announcing Hinkson’s appointment. “Through decades of service at a range of prestigious academic institutions, she has proven in her strengths and values that she is the leader we were seeking. Ms. Hinkson is sure to be a tireless advocate for Barnard students and student life, and we are thrilled to have her on board.”
Hinkson describes her return to the College as “a dream come true. Barnard gave so much to me as a first-generation student of color and now, in my role as an advocate for students, I am humbled by the opportunity to give back. I am also thrilled to join the amazing leadership of the College as we work together to develop women leaders and change agents who will enhance our global community.”
Hinkson succeeds Dorothy Denburg, who has served as Dean of the College since 1993 and as a Barnard administrator for nearly four decades.
“I’ve watched Avis’s professional career unfold over the last 26 years and I have every confidence that her broad experience in higher education, especially in admissions and academic advising, will enable her to make important contributions to our students and the College,” said Denburg, who has been named Barnard’s Vice President for College Relations. “It also makes me enormously happy to be succeeded in this role by another Barnard alumna. I know Avis will bring energy and passion to her work as Dean.”
For the past six years at the University of California-Berkeley, Hinkson has orchestrated the academic advising of over 18,000 undergraduate liberal arts students. Prior to her arrival at UC-Berkeley, Hinkson spent more than 20 years in enrollment management, beginning as a work-study student in Barnard's Admissions Office and culminating with her position as Dean of Admission and Enrollment Planning at Mills College. Hinkson also developed and implemented the strategic plan for minority recruitment at a number of institutions, including Pomona College and the liberal arts college at Cornell University.
Published Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010
