The Academic Deans evaluate faculty members, review student contracts and work closely with other offices to support teaching and learning at Evergreen.
About Us
Academic Leadership includes the Deans and the Provost, who work closely together to set academic policy and work through daily concerns.
Evergreen’s academic structure is unique and especially designed to model the college values in collaboration and shared governance. Deans are members of the faculty and they rotate into the deans positions from teaching for fixed terms of three or four years. Instead of representing academic divisions, Deans are responsible for specific administrative functions within academics as a whole and work as a team to support faculty and students.
Current Deans
- Kristina Ackley, Academic Dean of Native Programs and Experiential Education
- Steff Beck, Academic Dean of Summer School, Evening & Weekend Studies, and Student Success
- Abir Biswas, Academic Dean of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences
- Lori Blewett, Academic Dean of Professional and Continuing Education
- John Caraher, Academic Dean of Faculty
- Greg Mullins, Academic Dean of Instructional Support and Library & Media Services
- Doreen Swetkis, Academic Dean of Graduate and Prison Education Programs
- Marcia Tate Arunga, Academic Dean of Tacoma
Spring 2025
Drop-In Hours
As Academic Deans support different functions and programs, they may not always be immediately available as concerns come up. To facilitate contact with an Academic Dean, the Deans Area hold one to two drop in hours during the week.
| Weekday | Drop-in Hours | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 10 - 11 am | Deans Area |
| Tuesday | 10 - 11 am, 3 - 4 pm | Deans Area |
| Wednesday | 5 - 6 pm | On Zoom |
| Thursday | 4 - 5 pm | Deans Area |
| Friday | 4 - 5 pm | Deans Area |
Conflict Resolution
Academic Deans help to resolve academic conflicts or conflicts concerning faculty members. Deans may assist with a variety of concerns, such as:
- Content of program that does not match description or syllabus
- Missing syllabus or contract
- Not enough or too many hours of class per week
- Disregard for accessibility accommodations
- Inappropriate or disrespectful faculty behavior
- Late or missing evaluations
If you have a concern you have not been able to resolve, contact us so we can help you.
Conflict Resolution Process
Students should contact Academic Leadership after first trying to resolve their problem themselves or speaking to their faculty member directly. If that hasn't worked or is not a viable option, students should contact the Academic Deans to meet regarding the problem.
During your meeting you may be asked to supply information about your conflict or complaint, come prepared with any documentation or information you have. Include other people you have been working with in other areas and offices if necessary.
If you require a confidential meeting, reach out to discuss your situation and see if this is needed. In some cases it may be required to provide information to Title IX.
Concerns About Evaluations and Credit Awarded
Once credit is posted, students have 30 days to contest an evaluation if it is believed that it is inaccurate, missing important information or that the credit awarded is inaccurate.
The first step should always be to contact the faculty member within 30 days to ask for a resolution. Be prepared to provide supporting evidence, including the syllabus and contract at any meeting with faculty.
If unable to resolve the issue directly, students should make an appointment with Academic Leadership.
Contact
Academic Concerns: Email deans@evergreen.edu
Non-academic Inquiries: Visit Student Engagement, Equity, and Support
Dean Contact Information: Available on the Staff and Faculty Directory (Evergreen login required)