Seven months in, Barnard’s Dean Hinkson sets priorities

Seven months after being named Barnard’s dean, Avis Hinkson says she’s still settling in.

As students start classes, Hinkson, BC ’84, is working on a number of new projects, ranging from helping first-years better adapt to college to improving communication between students and administrators. But her focus seems to be on continuing the work of former dean Dorothy Denburg without pursuing major changes to Barnard’s operations.

Hinkson replaced Denburg, who became Barnard’s vice president for college relations, in February.

“She’s handed me departments that are running well, and so my job is not to fix things that are broken but more to build upon and move forward,” Hinkson said. “And that’s a real gift as a new administrator.”

Hinkson said one change she is working on this year is Barnard Constellations, a new community-building initiative. The program turns each of the seven floors of the Barnard Quad into a “constellation,” or a group that will be guided through service projects by leaders chosen by Hinkson.

But Constellations isn’t the only project on Hinkson’s mind. She’d also like to increase the number of hours that Barnard’s library remains open, and make Barnard’s administration more transparent to students, possibly creating a digest that would consolidate information being disseminated to students.

“There is a real sense that students feel bombarded by the amount of email and various communications they get,” Hinkson said.

Hinkson also noted that she is committed to helping Barnard President Debora Spar bolster Barnard’s international recruitment efforts, and to giving international students more opportunities to get involved with student life.

“We’ve got a great international student orientation program and at the same time, we want to be sure that those students move into the regular NSOP,” she said.

Students said they are pleased with Hinkson’s efforts to help first-year students adjust to college life and New York City more easily.

“Barnard is less of a community-oriented place than I thought it would be when I applied,” Natasha Gordon, BC ’12, said. “So those initiatives to really get people to really know each other, meet upperclassmen, bring international students, do more of the city—I think that will improve Barnard’s student life and community.”

Hinkson said she plans to speak to her Columbia College counterpart, newly-appointed Interim Dean James Valentini, soon.

“Columbia students have amazing academic opportunities on our side of the street as well as our students having opportunities for growth and academic enrichment on their side of the street,” she said.

Hinkson added that she sees Denburg as an “amazing resource” and envisions working closely with her.

“Her ability to go out and share what’s happening on campus with alumni depends on her conversations with me to understand how things might be changing or developing or student concerns,” Hinkson said.

madina.toure@columbiaspectator.com