Senior Leadership Team and President’s Office Staff

Dear all,

Every fall, I like to re-introduce our senior team and staff in the President’s Office, so you know who you can reach out to and a little bit more about each of them. They are in no particular order, other than the order in which they submitted their information to me!

Senior Leadership Team and President’s Office Staff

A person with a beard and hair in a bun smiles at the camera while sitting in a chair. The person wears round glasses and a striped shirt. This black-and-white photo is taken in a casual, outdoor setting with another person visible in the background.

Wesley Dixon serves at Vassar as the Deputy to the President and Secretary of the Board of Trustees. Recently, Wes has fallen in love with a variety of South African Netflix shows (Savage Beauty, Fatal Seduction, and Kings of Jo'burg). Wes loves telling stories and hearing the stories of others, which explains why he loves hosting Vassar's podcast, Conversations @ the Salt Line.

A group of five baseball fans poses for a picture on a baseball field. They are all wearing Dodgers-related clothing. The stadium stands, a scoreboard, and a bright blue sky are in the background.

Dean Sonya Smith, Vice President and Dean of Admission and Student Financial Services, enjoys imagining the many ways our fabulous new first years and transfers will thrive in our community. Even though she’s lived on the East Coast for years, she remains fiercely loyal to the LA Dodgers, aka the reigning World Series Champions! Last season she was thrilled to score field passes for BP for her and some of her dearest friends.

A person with short, light-colored hair and tortoiseshell sunglasses stands on a sandy beach, smiling at the camera. The ocean is behind them with a shoreline visible in the distance. The sky is clear and blue.

Tim Kane, Vice President for Advancement, enjoyed returning to Maine this summer, a place he and his family called home for many years. Looking ahead, Tim is excited to deepen connections with Vassar alums around the world, strengthening their ties to the College and to one another. He is committed to ensuring that Vassar has the philanthropic resources it needs to flourish in the years ahead, advancing its mission and supporting the students who will shape the future.

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Kim Williams Brown is the Director of Engaged Pluralism, an associate professor in Education, who teaches in the programs of Women, Feminist and Queer Studies, Africana Studies, American Studies and Forced Migration. Her scholarship sits at the intersection of race, gender, and migration. This summer she spent time moving off campus out of the house fellow role (she misses Raymond House deeply!), exploring more of the Hudson Valley and exploring the flat terrain of the mid western US.

Bryan Swarthout, Vice President for Finance and Administration, is looking forward to another year with the dedicated members of the finance and administration team. In his free time, he loves spending time outside and being with his family. This year they had the amazing experience of seeing lava flow at Volcanoes National Park!

A group of four individuals poses for a photo at a volcanic crater with steam rising from it. They are standing on a paved lookout. The background shows a vast, rocky landscape under a hazy sky.

A glowing lava flow descends a hillside at dusk. The vibrant orange and red streaks of molten rock stand out against the dark landscape and smoky haze.

A person with wavy brown hair smiles at the camera while wearing pink sunglasses and a brightly colored floral top. The person is outdoors, with tall trees and a sunny sky in the background.

Victoria Grantham, Vice President of Communications, is looking forward to continued collaboration with partners, students, faculty, and other community members to help tell Vassar’s story. This year she is particularly excited to be co-creating a Vassar Institute signature program on inclusive narratives with Professor Dara Greenwood. Come check it out, or catch up with Victoria on campus - enjoying the arboretum - or at Crafted Kup or Fika & Hygge (caffeine and sugar - woot!)

A group of five people poses for a selfie on a beach. They are all smiling and standing on a wooden walkway. The beach and ocean are visible in the background.

Dr. Bini Tesfamariam is the Director of Institutional Research and Strategic Decision Support and has been at Vassar for seven years. He enjoys working with data to advance the College’s mission. Beyond campus, he loves exploring all that New York has to offer—from the Hudson Valley to the city.

A person stands in the center of a well-lit, ornate hallway with a patterned tile floor. They are wearing an orange shirt, dark pants, and black shoes. The background includes vaulted ceilings, wooden archways, and a glimpse of a library.

Dean Demetrius L. Eudell is the new Dean of the Faculty and Professor of History, who started on July 1 this year. He enjoyed spending his summer in Poughkeepsie, getting to know the city and the College. One of the highlights was an intensive boot camp class that he took at the Culinary Institute of America. He is also an avid swimmer.

A person with glasses pushed up on their head smiles, looking at the camera. The background appears to be an indoor exhibit with a small waterfall, and rocks.

Shay Humphrey is Vassar's General Counsel. Shay had a busy summer this year but was able to take some time after a conference in Seattle to do some sightseeing, and eat some delicious food. This photo is from the Seattle Aquarium. Shay looks forward to partnering with faculty,staff, students, and administrators to work through Vassar's response to external pressures while sustaining Vassar’s mission and values.

Dean Marianne H. Begemann, Dean of Strategic Planning and Academic Resources, is responsible for leading the Libraries, Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center, Athletics and Physical Education, the Nursery School and Infant and Toddler Center, the Office of Sustainability, the Preserve and Environmental Cooperative, and Faculty Housing. As she enters her final year at the College, she looks forward to spending more time with her family, some of whom are shown here–guess who doesn't belong?

A person with a styled haircut and sunglasses is smiling. The person is looking to the side, away from the camera. The background is slightly out of focus, suggesting an indoor or shaded outdoor setting.

Dean Carlos Alamo Pastrana, Dean of the College, is looking forward to another year of centering joy with our students and community. He enjoyed spending the summer travelling with his family as well singing and dancing to Bad Bunny in the car together.

A person wearing a baseball cap and glasses takes a selfie with two children. All three are smiling and sitting at a table with food. The background is a large, open indoor space with other people.

Carlos Garcia is Vice President for Technology and Human Resources and Chief Information Officer. Carlos is grateful to continue working this year with the dedicated experts in Human Resources, CIS, and Institutional Equity. He is enthusiastic about enabling success and fostering care for all in the Vassar community. Here he is pictured dining with his young daughters at Gordon Commons, where he loves to go for lunch.

Two individuals stand side-by-side, smiling for the camera. The person on the left wears a dark green dress, and the one on the right wears a light gray suit with a white shirt. They are outdoors on a paved area in front of a brick building with glass doors.

Amanda Goodman joined the President's Office in January 2025 as the Director of Administrative Affairs. In this role, she coordinates events hosted by the President’s Office and supports campus-wide events, including Convocation and Commencement. She brings energy and warmth to her work. Outside of work, Amanda enjoys exploring new rooftop bars (a highlight of this past summer), listening and dancing to music across many genres, and spending time with her husband, family, and friends.

A person with reddish hair and large hoop earrings smiles directly at the camera. The background is a dimly lit indoor setting with other patrons and modern decor.

Veronica Peccia is the President's Scheduler and a whiz with the calendar. A passionate traveler, Veronica finds her greatest joy at the beach, where she can unwind and recharge. At home, she’s entertained by her two lively cats, who keep things playful and unpredictable.

Two individuals smile while standing at a cocktail table. The person on the left wears a black suit with a green tie and a white boutonnière. The person on the right wears a pink patterned dress and holds a drink. Others are visible in the background.

Gabriel Anjo (Gabe) is celebrating his second year at Vassar, covering Reception in the President’s Office some days and is the Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Communications. He enjoys collecting retro video games and walking around Vassar with his fiancée, Eva, who is a House Advisor on campus.

And here is my happiest moment this summer, preparing for my daughter Kate’s wedding with our family…left to right: Tim (son, 26 years), John (husband), Kate (daughter 30 years and now married to a Vassar grad, Caroline Ingram ‘19), me, and Alice (daughter, 33 years). A beautiful day in our family life!

A group of five individuals stands outside in front of a brick building with blooming flowers. From left to right: one person in a gray suit, two in dark blue suits, and two in dresses—one black with white polka dots and one a deep red.

If you have any questions, please reach out and happy fall semester!