Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Students Colleen Larimore '85 will resign from the College on March 4, according to an e-mail written by acting Dean of Undergraduate Students Deborah Tyson and obtained by The Dartmouth. Emily Holt-Foerst, former Assistant Dean of First-Year Students, will assume Larimore's responsibilities on March 7, according to the e-mail, which was addressed to the Dean of the College division.
Larimore served the Dartmouth community for approximately 14 years, according to Tyson's e-mail, which was sent by Conrad Farnham, executive assistant to the dean of the College. Larimore served as an admissions counselor for four years, director of the Native American program for three years and an assistant dean in the First-Year Office which merged with the Upperclass Dean's Office in 2009 for five years. She has served in her current position for almost two years, according to the e-mail.
"[Larimore] has been an extremely valuable member of the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students," Tyson wrote. "Her intellect, stable demeanor, perspective and wisdom have been a source of strength to both her colleagues and the students with whom she has diligently worked. Her thoughtful, reflective analysis has been integral to the efforts of the Dean of the College division."
Larimore declined to comment for this article. Acting Dean of the College Sylvia Spears is out of town and could not be reached for comment, according to Justin Anderson, director of media relations for the College.
Samantha Ivery, Assistant Dean of Student Life and Advisor to Black Students, who resigned from her post on Jan. 31, said in an e-mail to The Dartmouth that she is "extremely saddened by [Larimore's] decision," but "understands it."
"It is unfortunate that soon, the 7 [percent] of the administration that identifies as people of color will diminish further, which begs the question what is being done to recruit and retain an administration and faculty that mirrors the student body?" Ivery, who also serves as acting director of the Center for Women and Gender, said.
"Sadly, the College will be losing yet another strong student advocate and supporter of minority groups on campus," Inter-Community Council co-chair Angelo Carino '11 said in an e-mail to The Dartmouth.
Carino said he views Larimore's departure as part of an "exodus of important staff members (of color)," referring to the recently announced departures of Spears and Ivery.
Recent administrators' resignations are "very disheartening" and may "reflect some larger air of unease staff are currently experiencing at the College," Carino said.
The administration should prioritize retaining high-quality administrators, Carino said.
"We must rebuild confidence levels because I am beginning to see these issues directly affect students who interface with this division daily," he said.
Larimore's dedication to students was central to her time on campus, Ivery wrote.
"I have worked with [Larimore] to support students during my tenure and regardless of the issue, I'm always encouraged when we sit down in a room to problem solve on behalf of a student because I know she is going to bring her best ideas and experience to come up with the feasible options for students," Ivery said.
In her current role as assistant dean, Larimore directed the Integrated Academic Support Program, according to Tyson's e-mail.
The program provides first-year students with additional preparation in writing, math and chemistry, according to the College's website.
Larimore also oversaw the First-Year Summer Research Project, which funded first-year students who pursued independent research under the supervision of College faculty members, according to the e-mail.
From 1985 to 1989, Larimore served as assistant director of admissions at the College and was temporarily the director of minority recruitment, The Dartmouth previously reported. She left the College in 1989 to pursue a master's degree in education at Harvard University.
In June 1990, Larimore returned as head of the Native American program which provides academic and personal support services for Native American students and served in that position until Spring 1993.
Under her direction, the Native American program and the Native American Studies department received approximately $2 million in grants and endowments. The program earned a $155,000 grant to launch a test-pilot program known as the Full Circle Program that aimed to improve the retention and graduation rates of Native American students, The Dartmouth previously reported.
Larimore co-edited "First Person, First Peoples" a collection of autobiographical narratives by Native Americans who attended the College with education professor emeritus Andrew Garrod in 1997. The book examines Native Americans in higher education, The Dartmouth previously reported.
Staff writer Matthew McNierney contributed to the reporting of this article.
