The Sophian

Issue date: 9/5/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Schuyler Clemente Dean of Students Julianne Ohotnicky

Smithies, there's a new dean in town: Julianne Ohotnicky assumed the position of Dean of Students on June 26, taking over for outgoing dean Mela Dutka. From her office in Clark Hall, Dean Ohotnicky supervises the non-academic side of student life at Smith.

Her area of responsibility includes student activities, housing and dining - "basic human needs," as Dean Ohotnicky put it. Her job is to "make sure that these things are happening well," she said.

"The staff is so amazing in making the day to day things happen, and my job is to look at the greater picture," said Dean Ohotnicky. She hopes to teach students a balance between life and education.

"It's important for students to know that I am their dean for their life outside the classroom," she said.

Formerly the Associate Dean of Students at Clark University in Worcester, Mass., Dean Ohotnicky has experience in a variety of areas of student affairs at a range of colleges from the University of Connecticut to Brandeis University; she has worked in such departments as Residence Life, Student Activities and the Registrar. Her current position, she said, "pulls together all the different areas I've worked in."

This is Dean Ohotnicky's first time working at a single-sex institution. "Smith offers the right set of opportunities and challenges. … This was an interesting next step," she said. She appreciates Smith's concentration on empowerment, leadership and education, and she likes that it really focuses on women.

Dean Ohotnicky invites students to contact her or to stop by her Clark Hall office. "As I move up professionally, I get to spend less time with students," she said. "My focus, at least in year one, is to connect with students and see what's important to students at Smith."

"I'd like students to feel comfortable sharing with me what's working and what they're struggling with," she added.

Dean Ohotnicky's husband, John, is the registrar at Westfield State College in nearby Westfield, Mass., so her move to Smith "made sense on both a personal and professional level," she said. She and John are currently living in Smith housing with their son Samuel, 7, and daughter Anna, 4.

Dean Ohotnicky said their transition to Northampton and Smith has been "absolutely wonderful." She's impressed with the commitment and welcoming nature of both Smith and Northampton.

"The students, staff and faculty here are truly passionate about Smith and about learning and education, and that's what makes it a very special place," she said.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools