Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff Members,

I’m thrilled to share the news that after a thorough search, Professor of Astronomy and Interim Dean of Academic Success Eric Jensen has been selected to serve a full three-year appointment as Dean of Academic Success in the College’s Division of Student Affairs. His new term officially begins July 1.

Eric will continue to oversee several key offices in the division, including the Registrar’s Office, Student Disability Services, Fellowships and Prizes, Health Sciences, and Pre-Law Advising. He will also continue to work with individual students on both academic and personal issues and communicate with faculty about student academic progress and issues affecting student academic performance.

A faculty member of the Swarthmore community since 1998, Eric brings extensive leadership experience and outstanding judgment to this critical position. At Swarthmore, he was elected by his faculty peers to serve on the committees for educational policy and faculty procedures. He also served as department chair, founding director of the Aydelotte Foundation, and program coordinator of Environmental Studies. Throughout his tenure at the College, he has been keenly focused on helping all students connect with the support and resources they require to flourish. 

Eric’s own research, which focuses on extrasolar planets and the study of the origin and distribution of life in the cosmos, has been supported by NASA and the National Science Foundation. He holds a B.A. in physics from Carleton College and an M.S. and Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition to his courses in the Physics & Astronomy Department, Eric has taught about climate change in the Environmental Studies Program. He has published extensively on exoplanet discoveries, among other topics, often with undergraduate co-authors.

I am very grateful to the faculty members from across the divisions who nominated colleagues to be considered for this position. I also wish to extend my sincere thanks to the members of the selection committee for their work in this process:

• Ralph Gomez, Associate Professor, Mathematics & Statistics
• Tyrene White, Richter Professor of Political Science
• Nora Sweeney ’24, Honors Peace and Conflict Studies Major, Sociology & Anthropology and Educational Studies Minor
• Jenna Takach ’24, Psychology Major, Music and Dance Minor
• Karen Henry ’87, Dean of First-Year Students
• Nathan Miller, Senior Associate Dean for Student Life

I’m very appreciative to Eric for his partnership and leadership these past eight months. I look forward to working with him further as he continues to direct the College’s academic success efforts and support our students on their Swarthmore journey. 

Sincerely,

Stephanie Ives
Vice President for Student Affairs