# About ## About ![Resident Deans of First-Years and FDO Staff pose and smile at Crimson Kick-Off](/sites/g/files/omnuum13001/files/styles/hwp_28_10__1920x685/public/2026-11/FDO_Website_Hero_About.jpg?h=fa545368&itok=mUypkqtD) ## expand\_more ## We provide incoming or first-year students with guidance, programming, and resources to help them transition from high school to college. ## Our Mission The First-Year Dean’s Office provides an introduction to Harvard College and transitional support through the first year. We do this by intentionally guiding students as they acquire knowledge, build individual agency, make authentic intellectual choices, foster personal connections, and become active contributors to the Harvard community and beyond. ### Values Guiding our Work *As educators, we are guided by these core values:* ### Knowledge We strive to know our students as individuals We understand Harvard and how to navigate it We lead with curiosity and foster curiosity among our students ### Integrity We are truthful with students even when it is uncomfortable We keep our word with students and colleagues and act as trusted collaborators ### Adaptability We prioritize reflection and feedback and acknowledge when change is needed We recognize the need to be flexible in our work with each other, students, and our partner offices ### Care We value every student and support each holistically We listen and respond with empathy and respect We pay attention and nurture meaningful relationships with students Interim Dean of First-Year Students ### Thomas Dingman ’67, Ed.M. ’73 As Interim Dean of First-Year Students, I am reprising a role I held from 2005 to 2018. It is very exciting to be back at the College and to work to ensure that we are doing all we can to give first-year students the strongest possible start. Please make a point to visit the FDO at 6 Prescott Street, and do say hello whenever our paths cross in the Yard. I’m eager to meet you and to hear how things are going! [ Read Staff Profile arrow\_circle\_right ](/people/thomas-dingman-edm) ![Tom Dingman](/sites/g/files/omnuum13001/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2026-11/FDO_Staff_Tom_Dingman.jpg?itok=x56V0VRs) ## Our Team The First-Year Dean's Office team ensures academic and social well-being and growth for first-year students. Stop by our office at 6 Prescott Street to meet with your Resident Dean, borrow games or kitchen items, or sign up for a music practice room. [ Administrative Staff arrow\_circle\_right ](#staff) [ Resident Deans of First-Year Students arrow\_circle\_right ](#rdf) ### Administrative Staff [### Nekesa Straker Ed.D. ](/people/nekesa-straker-edd) [nekesa\_straker@fas.harvard.edu](mailto:nekesa_straker@fas.harvard.edu)Senior Assistant Dean of Residential Life and First Year Students In my role as the Senior Assistant Dean of Residential Life and First-Year Students, I am responsible for overseeing residential life initiatives to help orient and support students during their first year at Harvard, supervising the Resident Deans of... ![Nekesa Straker](/sites/g/files/omnuum13001/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-11/FDO_Staff_Nekesa%20Straker.jpg?h=36dae122&itok=rabZPcW_) [### Katherine Veach, Ph.D. ](/people/katherine-veach-phd) [katherine\_veach@fas.harvard.edu](mailto:katherine_veach@fas.harvard.edu)Assistant Dean for First-Year Academics I oversee the first-year academic experience. My portfolio includes the Rising Scholars Program and representing the academic vision in partnership with other offices on programs, including Visitas, Orientation, and Family Weekend. ![Katherine Veach](/sites/g/files/omnuum13001/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-11/FDO_Staff_Katherine_Veach.jpg?itok=09e70_er) [### Katie Patrick ](/people/katie-patrick) Director for Orientation and Family Engagement I work with the incredible Student and Family Engagement team to plan and implement meaningful opportunities that support the newest members of our community to experience student life through large-scale events such as Orientation and Family Weekends. My... ![Headshot of Katie Patrick.](/sites/g/files/omnuum13001/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-04/katie-patrick-headshot.png?h=91942a06&itok=K0SGfXLz) [### Emiko Morimoto ](/people/emiko-morimoto)Associate Director, First Year Academics Emiko leads advisor-facing initiatives, including close collaborations with faculty and other academic advising experts. Before her time at Harvard, she also spent time at The City College of New York supporting first-generation college students in STEM... ![Emiko Morimoto](/sites/g/files/omnuum13001/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-11/FDO_Staff_Emiko_Morimoto.jpg?h=6e968dde&itok=WKSpIVim) [### Brooks Lambert-Sluder ](/people/brooks-lambert-sluder) Assistant Director, First-Year Academics Incident Response and Coordination Manager, LEMT Brooks joined the Advising Programs Office at its inception in 2006 and continues to be an integral member of the Advising Team in the First-Year Dean's Office. Having served in many capacities, including as a proctor, Brooks has led the Peer Advising... ![Brooks Lambert-Sluder](/sites/g/files/omnuum13001/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-11/FDO_Staff_Brooks_Lambert_Sluder.jpg?h=0047d846&itok=BUR3bd4D) [### Abby Cohen ](/people/abby-cohen) Academic Coordinator As Academic Coordinator I provide administrative support to the First-Year Dean's Office, serving as a source of information for student academic concerns. I maintain student files and data, prepare and disseminate dockets and correspondence, assist with... ![Abby Cohen](/sites/g/files/omnuum13001/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-11/FDO_Staff_Abby%20Cohen.jpg?h=00641ecf&itok=5Z1CmMFg) [### Julie Kligerman ](/people/julie-kligerman) Administrative Coordinator My primary role in the First-Year Dean's Office is to help incoming and current first-year students get access to the resources they need on campus. I edit the weekly first-year newsletter, the Yard Bulletin , and I coordinate the first-year loan programs... ![Julie Kligerman](/sites/g/files/omnuum13001/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-11/FDO_Staff_Julie%20Kligerman.jpg?h=e61a318a&itok=ZELA0j_x) [### Stephanie Macaris Alusow ](/people/stephanie-macaris-alusow) Executive Assistant and Program Coordinator I have worked for almost 20 years in a variety of different roles at Harvard College. This includes the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid and the Office of Special Concentrations. I have also been a first-year academic adviser for the past 6 years... ![Stephanie Macaris Alusow](/sites/g/files/omnuum13001/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-11/FDO_Staff_Stephanie_Macaris_Alusow.jpg?itok=RV-U_bBA) ### Resident Deans of First-Year Students Resident Deans of First-Year Students (RDFs) are dedicated full-time professionals who live on campus and oversee the academic and residential life of one of the Yards, which includes roughly 400 students. The RDFs oversee your academic, social, and extracurricular well-being. They care deeply about your success at the College and are a pillar of support during your first-year. They live on campus and are always available for a meeting, lunch, or casual conversation. [### Madeleine Currie, Ed.D. ](/people/madeleine-currie-edd) Resident Dean of First-Year Students, Oak Yard Assistant Dean of Harvard College As Resident Dean of First-Year Students for Oak Yard , I have the amazing privilege of working with first-year students living in Canaday and Thayer. I hold an EdD in Human Development and Psychology from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a BA... ![Madeleine Currie](/sites/g/files/omnuum13001/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-11/FDO_Staff_Madeleine%20Currie.jpg?h=3a249336&itok=ObnVdmcl) [### Dwight Fee, Ph.D. ](/people/dwight-fee-phd) Resident Dean of First-Year Students, Crimson Yard Assistant Dean of Harvard College I work with Crimson Yard students in the Greenough, Hurlbut, Pennypacker, and Wigglesworth dorms, advising and supporting them in all matters whether they be academic, residential, or personal. I love helping students transition to Harvard and feel... ![Dwight Fee](/sites/g/files/omnuum13001/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-11/FDO_Staff_Dwight%20Fee.jpg?h=386db420&itok=0M5z2OCg) [### Alysha Johnson Williams, Ed.M. ](/people/alysha-johnson-williams-edm) Resident Dean of First Year Students, Elm Yard Assistant Dean of Harvard College As the Resident Dean of First-Year Students for Elm Yard , I oversee Grays, Matthews, and Weld. In this role, I advise and support students in various matters related to their experience at the College. I am passionate about supporting undergraduates... ![Alysha Johnson Williams](/sites/g/files/omnuum13001/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-11/FDO_Staff_Alysha%20Johnson%20Williams.jpg?h=8689154b&itok=QNTYrqqj) [### Heather McLetchie-Leader ](/people/heather-mcletchie-leader)Interim Resident Dean for First-Year Students, Ivy Yard (Fall 2026) Director of Special Projects Interim Assistant Dean (Resident Dean) for Visiting Undergraduate Students Resident Director of Summer Housing As Director of Special Projects in the Dean of Students Office, I serve as Interim Assistant Dean (Resident Dean) for Visiting Undergraduate Students and Resident Director of Summer Housing. I also work in the First-Year Dean's Office, where I serve as... ![Heather McLetchie-Leader](/sites/g/files/omnuum13001/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-11/FDO_Staff_Heather%20McLetchie-Leader.jpg?h=0e83728d&itok=YHuvpnCy) [### Katie Derzon, Ph.D. ](/people/katie-derzon-phd) ON LEAVE (FALL 2026) Resident Dean of First-Year Students, Ivy Yard Assistant Dean of Harvard College I am the Resident Dean of First-Year Students in Ivy Yard, which consists of Apley, Hollis, Holworthy, Lionel, Massachusetts, Mower, Stoughton, and Straus halls. I oversee the academic and residential needs of all students in Ivy. I began as a doctoral... ![Katie Derzon](/sites/g/files/omnuum13001/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-11/FDO_Staff_Katie_Derzon.jpg?itok=s1eb46YB) arrow\_back arrow\_forward