By Cecilia Cress
News Co-Editor
As the 2022 spring semester continues, many Washington College faculty and staff members are not only being recognized for their work within higher education, but also gaining further responsibility on campus.
Dr. Aaron Lampman was named assistant dean for Student Achievement and Retention alongside assistant dean for Student Achievement and Retention Tricia Biles, a position “devoted to supporting students to achieve economic success at the college,” according to Interim Provost and Dean of the College Dr. Michael Harvey.
“In a time of fiscal constraints, we are now in a position that students are going to get a lot more guided and strategically led attention, and Dr. Lampman is the perfect person to do this,” Dr. Harvey said.
This role is meant to help the College with its recent struggles in declining student enrollment as well as leadership and staff turnover, and serves “as a key connection between faculty, students, and other aspects of the College,” according to Interim Dean of Students and Title IX Coordinator Greg Krikorian. Dr. Lampman and Biles will assist in the goal of achieving a 90% retention rate set by President of the College Dr. Mike Sosulski, according to Dr. Harvey.
“There’s all sorts of reasons for challenges and as part of turnover, this has been an area of the College where we have not had staffing stability in any organization,” Dr. Harvey said. “When there’s no staffing stability, you just know that operations are going to struggle…With Dr. Lampman, we now have leadership stability in the academic side of retention.”
Dr. Lampman has been working with Biles and Krikorian, “essentially tripling our human power” dedicated to “helping students navigate the stresses and strains of college,” according to Dr. Harvey.
While he was appointed to this position in fall 2021, Dr. Lampman’s efforts have already led to “significant improvements in both leadership and student supports,” according to Biles.
“We’re already starting to see the real impact on students. A faster turnaround on CARE reports, more communication among all the people who interact with students. I think more students are feeling connected,” Dr. Harvey said.
Dr. Lampman received a bachelor’s degree from New College of Florida and obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Georgia. In addition to his position as assistant dean for Student Achievement and Retention, he is also an associate professor of anthropology and international studies. He taught courses such as ANT 235: cultures of Latin America, ANT 415: cultural ecology, ANT 320: race and ethnicity, and more. He is also the curator for the Douglass Cater Society of Junior Fellows at the College.
According to Biles, Dr. Lampman was thought to be a viable candidate because of his experiences working individually with students as well as his dedicated attention and efforts to better the student experience.
“Dr. Lampman’s commitment to student success and attention to inter-departmental collaboration is outstanding…By appointing Dr. Lampman as dean for Student Achievement and Retention, and supporting his office, WC has taken thoughtful and strategic action to elevate the student experience,” Biles said.
Photo by Sammy Jarrett
Featured Photo Caption: Within the next few weeks, Associate Professor of Anthropology and International Studies Dr. Aaron Lampman will be named Assistant Dean for Student Achievement and Retention at Washington College.