Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
Support independent student journalism. Support independent student journalism. Support independent student journalism.
The Dartmouth
July 11, 2025 | Latest Issue
The Dartmouth

Burke leaves for MSU dean position

After twenty years at Dartmouth, Katherine Burke, senior associate dean of the College, will begin her position as dean of students at Montana State University in the fall of 2008.

"It has been such a privilege to do what I can to support students in pursuing their individual goals and to share in their successes and their struggles," Burke said of her experience at the Dartmouth.

During her time at the College, Burke has coordinated and led various programs such as the equal opportunity and affirmative action programs and the student programs at the Hopkins Center. But Burke says that interacting and building relationships with students has been the most meaningful aspect of her work.

Burke emphasized the importance of providing students with a positive atmosphere, and much of Burke's work at Dartmouth has consisted of building upon her strong ties with individual students.

"I feel like the stories [students] shared with me about their goals and aspirations are the things that help form me in the work I do with other students and in the bigger perspective," Burke said.

Holly Sateia of the Office of Student Life, who worked closely with Burke, attributed her ability to form strong connections with students to her supportive personality.

"She's an incredible listener," said Sateia. "She challenges students to try different options to solve problems. She's also someone who really believes in empowering students to advocate for themselves."

At MSU, Burke hopes to have the same close relationship with students that she has developed at Dartmouth and to contribute to the university's five-year vision plan, which is a strategic planning framework that involves the improvement of various aspects of the university administration -- including student affairs, research, infrastructure and the curriculum -- in five year increments.

"They have a lot of plans for moving their institution forward, and I will have some small part in contributing to that," said Burke.

Allen Yarnell, vice president of student affairs at MSU, describes the dean of students as the "main adjudicator of discipline."

"[Burke] is going to bring a different perspective because she's moving from a small eastern Ivy League to a land grant in the west," Yarnell said.

Yarnell added that Burke will bring to MSU "a new set of eyes, new ideas" and that he expects her to "contribute an awful lot by asking questions as to why things are done the way they're done."

"There are students in here everyday with various problems that the dean of students can help with, going all the way from disability to financial aid," Yarnell said.

Burke said she is excited about working with the MSU students and faculty and relocating to the scenic mountains of Montana. However, she plans to concentrate on fulfilling her remaining duties at Dartmouth "before heading west."

"I'm trying not to focus right now on how much I'll miss Dartmouth or how excited I am about this new opportunity," she said. "We have a lot of work to do now, and I'm grateful to be here for one more year to do it."