A search committee to appoint a Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life, a new position at the College, began interviewing its top candidates this month. Already, the College has seen three of its five candidates with positive student and administrative feedback.

In addition to organizing campus-wide programming events, the Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life will be responsible for expanding and monitoring the base of religious and spiritual life on the Hill. The position is intended to serve as an outlet for students seeking spiritual guidance, increased community or a religious outlet for their thoughts and concerns.

According to the online job description, the hired candidate “will work closely with other departments and programs to integrate religious life groups into campus life and will provide opportunities for community service, cross-cultural understanding and constructive social action.” The post will be filled for the upcoming 2012-13 school year.

Some other New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) schools have already experienced success with the acquisition of a Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life. At Connecticut College, for example, Claudia Highbaugh was appointed in 2005 and worked closely with administrators involved in ethnicity and multicultural affairs. The new dean on the Hill will have similar responsibilities, and the College is searching for a candidate with cross-cultural experience. Prospective deans Reverend Susan Maxwell Reisert, Kurt Nelson and Trish Eckert visited campus on April 3, 5 and 10, respectively, and the remaining visits are scheduled for April 16 and 24.

Among the various new positions opening at the College next year, the position of Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life suggests the arrival of exciting changes on campus.

The Echo will be providing additional coverage on the final two candidates as the information becomes available.