News Briefs

Jackson Davidson Named New Assistant Dean

Kimberly Jackson Davidson has been chosen to be the new Assistant Dean of Students, and will also serve as Dean to the Class of 2005. Davidson has been an instructor in expository writing and African American studies for the past two years, and was interim assistant dean for the Class of 2001 this academic year.
Dean of Students Peter Goldsmith chose Davidson with the assistance of a search committee chaired by Assistant to the President Kathryn Stuart. A statement by Goldsmith said, “Kim was chosen from a very strong national pool of candidates. Students spoke about both the ease and respect with which she communicates with them.”
Stuart was also pleased with the appointment. “Our goal was to identify applicants whose accomplishments matched the expectations of the position description and who we believed would thrive at Oberlin College. In Kimberly Jackson Davidson, we found this person,” she said. 
The search committee reviewed 33 applicants, six of whom were interviewed by telephone, and three of whom were invited for on-campus visits. One withdrew. “At each step we had extensive discussion and reached consensus before moving to the next step,” Stuart said.
First-year Behrad Mahdi was one of two student representatives on the committee. “The position of assistant dean is a really peculiar position in that it requires a special personality. Not only was Ms. Jackson well-qualified, but in interacting with students she had the perfect personality for the position,” he said.
Jackson’s duties are somewhat open to what she brings to the position. “In any administrative position you want people who are going to grow with the job,” Mahdi said. 
Stuart said that Jackson’s duties may be “fluid, depending on the time of year or the specific needs within the division.”
-Alyson Dame