Smith Appoints Dean of Students

Mela Dutka, dean of students at Columbia College, a women's college in Columbia, South Carolina, has been named dean of students at Smith College, effective July 1. The appointment was announced last week in a letter to students from Dean of the College Maureen Mahoney.

A native of Massachusetts and a graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, Dutka has 15 years of experience in student affairs administration. She holds a master's degree in higher education from the University of Vermont and is currently a doctoral candidate in curriculum, instruction and administration at Boston College. At Columbia, she directs residence life, judicial affairs, student activities, counseling, health services, and career development.

Creation of a dean of students position at Smith was one of the outcomes of a 1996 study designed to enhance student life. Reporting to the dean of the college, whose responsibilities include admission, financial aid, international study, and student affairs, Dutka will oversee residence life, student activities, multicultural affairs and international students.

May 12, 1999