Faces both familiar and new are appearing in the ranks of Wellesley’s deans. The College has announced the following appointments:

Dean of Admission and Financial Aid

Joy St. John, the new dean of admission and financial aid, took up her position on May 25. St. John has served as director of admission at Wellesley for the last five years, during which time the College has seen the largest applicant pools in its history, as well as measurable increases in the ability and diversity of applicants, and of admitted and enrolling students. Before Wellesley, St. John was associate dean of admission at Amherst College, and worked in admissions at Tufts University and Occidental College. She earned a B.A. in political science from Stanford University and a J.D. from UCLA School of Law.

Dean of Academic Affairs

Ann Velenchik, director of first-year academic programs and associate professor of economics, became dean of academic affairs on July 1. She has chaired the economics department, directed the summer school and the writing program, and was director of all first-year programs. In her new position, she will chair the Committee on Curriculum and Academic Policy, leading the process for evaluating and developing the College’s academic program.

Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life

The Reverend Doctor Tiffany Steinwert joins Wellesley in August. A multifaith teacher, scholar, and leader, she has served since 2010 as dean of Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse University, where she has led initiatives in diversity and inclusion, leadership, race and ethnicity, and civic engagement, and has fostered campuswide conversations about controversial issues. Before Syracuse, Steinwert was senior pastor of Cambridge Welcoming Ministries. She earned a B.A. from Williams College and M.Div. and Ph.D. degrees from Boston University School of Theology. She is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church.

Interim Dean of Students

Adele Wolfson, the Nan Walsh Schow ’54 and Howard B. Schow Professor in the Physical and Natural Sciences, has been named interim dean of students. Wolfson is known for building meaningful relationships with students as a faculty member, advisor, and mentor. A member of the chemistry faculty since 1985, she served as associate dean of the College from 2004 to 2010. She is chair of the President’s Advisory Committee on Gender and Wellesley. Wolfson will serve while the College conducts a national search for a permanent dean. Her new role begins on August 15.