President

Vassar Together

October 1, 2025

Dear all,

I am writing to let you know that Vassar Together (VT), an ad hoc group of faculty, administrators, staff, and students that helped Vassar navigate through COVID, will be reestablished (with updated membership) as a space for dialogue as we meet the challenges of our current times. We can all be proud of the way our campus community—in and out of the classrooms—emphasizes dialogue to tackle difficult issues, knowing we are all connected even as we bring different perspectives and experience to our work together. VT will help us stay aligned and vibrant in our rich diversity as higher education navigates this period of change. Now is not a time to be fearful, but rather self-reflective and bold. We stand firmly on our values and mission, which are central to shaping a better collective future.

The charge and priorities of VT will be:

To foster open communication among the Vassar community regarding emerging pressures in higher education. Made up of faculty, administrators, staff, and students from across the College, Vassar Together (VT) will provide input to the senior team on how best to respond to current challenges while sustaining Vassar’s mission and values.

As the College embarks on a new Priorities and Planning process, VT will be guided by these priorities: effectively stewarding the institution, supporting students, faculty, administrators, and staff through this time, and offering the highest quality liberal arts education.

VT will be chaired by Dean Eudell, Dean Alamo, and Carlos Garcia, Vice President for Technology and Human Resources—who have primary responsibility for the faculty, student, and employee experience, respectively. Initially, the group will be convened more often and then over time on a monthly basis.

Membership is based on roles, including:

  • Professor Kim Williams Brown, Director, Engaged Pluralism
  • Wesley Dixon, Deputy to the President and Secretary of Board of Trustees
  • Professor Jeffrey Schneider, Faculty Director for Institutional Equity
  • Shay Humphrey, General Counsel
  • David Toomer, Director of Admission
  • Diana Jedlicka, Advancement Representative
  • Professor Kelli Duncan, Associate DOSPAR
  • Michelle Walsh, Athletics Representative
  • Dennis Macheska, Campus Activities Representative
  • Arlene Sabo, Campus Safety Representative
  • Gladwyn Lopez, Communications Representative
  • Professor Tom Porcello, Dean of Studies Representative
  • Professor Colin Aitken, EP Representative
  • Amy Laughlin, EP Representative
  • Professor Katherine Hite, Chair of FASC
  • Professor Jennifer Kennell, Chair of FPCC
  • Bryan Swarthout, Finance and Administration Representative
  • Ginger Jurecka Blake, Human Resources Representative
  • Callista Isabelle, RSLCP Representative
  • Wendy Maragh Taylor, SGE Representative
  • Andrew Meade, SGE Representative
  • Luis Inoa, Student Living and Wellness Representative
  • Mariya Novosad, VSA Cabinet Representative
  • Mateo Tavarez, VSA Cabinet Representative
  • Xander Swift ’26, VSA Senator
  • Nicole Gao ’27, VSA Senator
  • Flora Cahill ’28, VSA Senator

VT will also include representatives from the CWA and SEIU unions.

Topics VT may take up include adapting to new federal guidelines and regulations, navigating changing expectations and economic pressure pertaining to higher education, and maintaining an inclusive campus and workplace.

Thank you to everyone who continues to work to make Vassar a community in which we can all thrive and learn. If you have any questions, let me know, or you can email your question to the co-chairs of VT at vt@vassar.edu.

Elizabeth H. Bradley, President
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
@EHBVassar