The Harris Dean of Students Office at Harris is composed of individuals who are dedicated to helping you maximize your learning to make the most out of your time at Harris. By delivering a holistic academic advising approach and upholding Harris’ guiding principles, we aim to advocate and serve as a first point of contact for students as they navigate their academic journey. We design an academic experience to meet the changing needs of tomorrow’s public policy professionals. From engaging in impactful learning opportunities outside the classroom to providing encouragement and support for all of our students, we are here to support you through struggles and celebrate your successes.
Our Mission
The Dean of Students Office fosters an inclusive community and empowers future policy leaders through the cultivation of a transformational learning environment and navigation of campus life to achieve academic and professional excellence.
Our Vision
We provide personal and academic support to best educate and guide our students in all aspects of the Harris experience.
Our Values and Norms
Holistic Development
- Provide comprehensive advising by developing a relationship built on respect and trust to foster academic success
- Facilitate the transition of students into the academic and professional climate of Harris
- Create programmatic opportunities outside of the classroom and cultivate academic support resources to supplement the Harris curriculum
Inquiry & Advocacy
- Create opportunities for assessment and student input to enhance the student experience
- Advocate to Harris Faculty & Leadership on behalf of students
- Facilitate connections between students, faculty, staff, and external offices
Diversity & Inclusion
- Promote sensitivity and respond to the individual and collective needs of Harris’ diverse student population
- Create accessible learning environments alongside faculty and staff to meet the needs of our student population
- Recognize the diverse identities, backgrounds, and beliefs of the Harris student population and create learning opportunities to enhance cultural awareness
Accessibility & Responsiveness
- Seek opportunities to proactively interact with students in community spaces
- Adjust to individual and collective challenges and situations, providing flexibility as needed.
- Respond to email correspondences within one business day to deliver service excellence
Transparency & Fairness
- Ensure consistency in decision making by making informed decisions through the use of institutional data and our student voices
- Prioritize the whole of the student body by exploring strategies to improve outcomes for all students
- Equip students with information in a timely manner to empower students to make informed choices and decisions throughout their time at Harris
Our Team
Kate Shannon Biddle, Harris Dean of Students
Kate Shannon Biddle serves as the Dean of Students for Harris. In her role, she advocates for Harris students, supports students in crisis, approves leave of absence and degree transfer requests, manages student disciplinary issues, and liaises with the Harris curriculum committee. Kate also sets and reviews policies and procedures related to students to ensure fairness, equity, and clarity. Her team oversees many areas of the student academic experience, including academic advising, registration, academic support, and the writing program.
Kate has worked with graduate students most of her professional career and finds tremendous joy in working with the diverse, intelligent, and engaged Harris student body.
David Chrisinger, Executive and Writing Director, Writing Program
David Chrisinger directs the Harris Writing Program, leads the Writing Persuasive Public Policy Credential Program, advises the Chicago Policy Review and Harris students enrolled in the Education and Society Certificate Program, and teaches policy writing courses in the winter and spring quarters. He is the author of Public Policy Writing That Matters and Stories Are What Save Us: A Survivor’s Guide to Writing about Trauma.
Tabitha Clark, Associate Director, Financial Aid and Academic Advising
Tabitha is the Associate Director, Financial Aid and Academic Advising at Harris. In this role, she manages financial aid operations for the Dean of Students Office. In addition, Tabitha serves as an academic advisor to MPP and MA students.
Daisy Cruz, Assistant Director of Academic Advising and Financial Aid
Daisy advises graduate students on academic and financial aid matters to help them achieve their goals and enhance the student experience.
Isabeau Dasho, Associate Director, Writing Program
Assistant Director of the Writing Program Isabeau Dasho helps facilitate the Writing Program’s many seminars, workshops, and creative writing events. She is also available to meet with students one on one for strategic help on assignments, drafts, journal articles or other writing projects.
Teresa Davis, Program Coordinator, MSCAPP Program
Teresa is the Program Coordinator for the MSCAPP program. She leads the development and implementation of MSCAPP special events and student engagement activities, in addition to supporting program business operations.
Andrew Dawson, Associate Dean of Students, Operations and Special Projects
Andrew Dawson is the Assistant Dean of Students for Operations and Special Projects at Harris Public Policy where he works on academics, curriculum, and student life. Andrew serves as an academic advisor to MPP and MA students, manages data projects, co-directs the Harris Mentor Program, and works on curriculum development.
Krisinda Doherty, Director, Special Degree Programs and Organizational Effectiveness
Krisinda Doherty is the Director of Special Degree Programs and Organizational Effectiveness. In this role she supports organization effectiveness by enhancing and streamlining processes and critical staffing gaps in times of need.
Matthew Fleming, Associate Director, Writing Program
Matthew Fleming is a Writing Coach within the Writing Program at Harris. He holds an MA in Applied Linguistics and has spent the past decade working with English Language Learners both in the United States and abroad. Reach out to Matthew for help with any essay, article, or presentation you need help bringing to life, at any stage of its development.
Ani Gatz, Director, Evening Master’s Program (EMP)
Ani Gatz is the Director of Harris' Evening Master's Program, where she oversees operations and academic affairs. She provides academic advising and support to students in the Evening Master's Program.
Marquis Hayes, Academic Advising Specialist
Marquis Hayes is an Academic Advising Specialist. He advises and supports MPP students throughout their time at Harris.
Amity James, Associate MSCAPP Program Director
Amity is the Associate Program Director for the MSCAPP Program. In this role, she handles issues related to course scheduling and registration, and works with the Program Director to evaluate program curriculum, policies, and procedures. She also serves as an academic advisor for MSCAPP students.
Kim Kieras, Program Director, MS in Computational Analysis and Public Policy (MSCAPP)
Kim Kieras serves as program director of the Master of Science in Computational Analysis and Public Policy (MSCAPP) program. In this role, Kim is responsible for the overall program administration and day-to-day operations, including program planning and execution, admissions, recruitment, student affairs, and faculty support. In addition, Kim serves as an academic advisor to MSCAPP students.
Kelly Lofgren, Registrar
Kelly Lofgren is the Registrar at Harris. She is responsible for creating the course schedule, leading the annual curriculum planning process, overseeing course registration, and managing faculty and instructor communications related to courses.
Jen Lombardo, Associate Dean of Students, Academic Services and Advising
Jen oversees academic advising at Harris and coordinates a variety of student services with other members of the Dean of Students Team. She is an academic advisor for MPP and joint degree students and is constantly thinking about ways to improve the student experience.
Marley Mandelaro, Assistant Director of Academic Advising and Academic Services
Marley Mandelaro serves as an Assistant Director for Academic Advising & Academic Services. She takes a relational approach to supporting Harris students from orientation to graduation. Marley also facilitates accommodations for students with documented disabilities, and assists our International student population.
Tricia McCann, Student Life Coordinator, Evening Master's Program
As Student Life Coordinator, Tricia supports the engagement and connection of students in the Evening Master’s Program. They work to provide various programming and events that enhance students’ experience in the program.
Hanna Seferos, Associate Director of Academic Advising
Hanna is the Assistant Director of Academic Advising on the Dean of Students Team at Harris. In this role, she advises MPP students and manages many academic support programs, resources, and events for students.
William Smith, Assistant Program Director, MS in Computational Analysis and Public Policy (MSCAPP)
Will is the Assistant Program Director for the Master in Science in Computational Analysis and Public Policy Program (MSCAPP). He serves as an academic advisor for MSCAPP students and also supports academic and professional programming for the program.
Leslie Villaverde, Academic Advisor and Registration Specialist
Leslie is an Academic Advisor and Registration Specialist for the MPP and MA programs. In this role, she supports students during their time at Harris and helps them register for classes.
Barbara Williams, Program Director, PhD and MACRM
Barbara is the administrative lead for the Harris research-focused degree programs. In this role she collaborates on the student experience from admission to alum, and coordinates with internal and external offices on curricular requirements.
Learn more about the Harris Academic Advisors for all degree programs.