The Harris Dean of Students Office at Harris is composed of individuals who are dedicated to helping you maximize your learning to make the most out of your time at Harris. By delivering a holistic academic advising approach and upholding Harris’ guiding principles, we aim to advocate and serve as a first point of contact for students as they navigate their academic journey. We design an academic experience to meet the changing needs of tomorrow’s public policy professionals. From engaging in impactful learning opportunities outside the classroom to providing encouragement and support for all of our students, we are here to support you through struggles and celebrate your successes.

Our Mission

The Dean of Students Office fosters an inclusive community and empowers future policy leaders through the cultivation of a transformational learning environment and navigation of campus life to achieve academic and professional excellence.

Our Vision

We provide personal and academic support to best educate and guide our students in all aspects of the Harris experience.

Our Values and Norms

Holistic Development

  • Provide comprehensive advising by developing a relationship built on respect and trust to foster academic success
  • Facilitate the transition of students into the academic and professional climate of Harris
  • Create programmatic opportunities outside of the classroom and cultivate academic support resources to supplement the Harris curriculum

Inquiry & Advocacy

  • Create opportunities for assessment and student input to enhance the student experience
  • Advocate to Harris Faculty & Leadership on behalf of students
  • Facilitate connections between students, faculty, staff, and external offices

Diversity & Inclusion

  • Promote sensitivity and respond to the individual and collective needs of Harris’ diverse student population
  • Create accessible learning environments alongside faculty and staff to meet the needs of our student population
  • Recognize the diverse identities, backgrounds, and beliefs of the Harris student population and create learning opportunities to enhance cultural awareness

Accessibility & Responsiveness

  • Seek opportunities to proactively interact with students in community spaces
  • Adjust to individual and collective challenges and situations, providing flexibility as needed.
  • Respond to email correspondences within one business day to deliver service excellence

Transparency & Fairness

  • Ensure consistency in decision making by making informed decisions through the use of institutional data and our student voices
  • Prioritize the whole of the student body by exploring strategies to improve outcomes for all students
  • Equip students with information in a timely manner to empower students to make informed choices and decisions throughout their time at Harris

Our Team

Headshot of Kate Biddle
Kate Biddle

Kate Shannon Biddle, Harris Dean of Students

Kate Shannon Biddle serves as the Dean of Students for Harris. In her role, she advocates for Harris students, supports students in crisis, approves leave of absence and degree transfer requests, manages student disciplinary issues, and liaises with the Harris curriculum committee. Kate also sets and reviews policies and procedures related to students to ensure fairness, equity, and clarity.  Her team oversees many areas of the student academic experience, including academic advising, registration, academic support, and the writing program.

Kate has worked with graduate students most of her professional career and finds tremendous joy in working with the diverse, intelligent, and engaged Harris student body.

Read Kate’s bio here.


Headshot of David Chrisinger
David Chrisinger

David Chrisinger, Executive and Writing Director, Writing Program

David Chrisinger directs the Harris Writing Program, leads the Writing Persuasive Public Policy Credential Program, advises the Chicago Policy Review and Harris students enrolled in the Education and Society Certificate Program, and teaches policy writing courses in the winter and spring quarters. He is the author of Public Policy Writing That Matters and Stories Are What Save Us: A Survivor’s Guide to Writing about Trauma.

Read David’s bio here.


Tabitha Clark Headshot
Tabitha Clark

Tabitha Clark, Associate Director, Financial Aid and Academic Advising

Tabitha is the Associate Director, Financial Aid and Academic Advising at Harris. In this role, she manages financial aid operations for the Dean of Students Office. In addition, Tabitha serves as an academic advisor to MPP and MA students.

Read Tabitha's bio here


Headshot of Daisy Cruz
Daisy Cruz

Daisy Cruz, Assistant Director or Academic Advising and Financial Aid

Daisy advises graduate students on academic and financial aid matters to help them achieve their goals and enhance the student experience. 

Read Daisy’s bio here.


Headshot of Isabeau Dasho
Isabeau Dasho

Isabeau Dasho, Associate Director, Writing Program

Assistant Director of the Writing Program Isabeau Dasho helps facilitate the Writing Program’s many seminars, workshops, and creative writing events. She is also available to meet with students one on one for strategic help on assignments, drafts, journal articles or other writing projects.

Read Isabeau’s bio here.


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Teresa Davis

Teresa Davis, Program Coordinator, MSCAPP Program

Teresa is the Program Coordinator for the MSCAPP program. She leads the development and implementation of MSCAPP special events and  student engagement activities, in addition to supporting program business operations.

Read Teresa's bio here


Headshot of Andrew Dawson
Andrew Dawson

Andrew Dawson, Associate Dean of Students, Operations and Special Projects

Andrew Dawson is the Assistant Dean of Students for Operations and Special Projects at Harris Public Policy where he works on academics, curriculum, and student life. Andrew serves as an academic advisor to MPP and MA students, manages data projects, co-directs the Harris Mentor Program, and works on curriculum development.

Read Andrew’s bio here.


Headshot of Krisinda Doherty
Krisinda Doherty

Krisinda Doherty, Director, Special Degree Programs and Organizational Effectiveness

Krisinda Doherty is the Director of Special Degree Programs and Organizational Effectiveness. In this role she supports organization effectiveness by enhancing and streamlining processes and critical staffing gaps in times of need. 

Read Krisinda’s bio here.


Matthew Fleming Headshot
Matthew Fleming

Matthew Fleming, Associate Director, Writing Program

Matthew Fleming is a Writing Coach within the Writing Program at Harris. He holds an MA in Applied Linguistics and has spent the past decade working with English Language Learners both in the United States and abroad. Reach out to Matthew for help with any essay, article, or presentation you need help bringing to life, at any stage of its development.

Read Matthew's bio here


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Ani Gatz

Ani Gatz, Director, Evening Master’s Program (EMP)

Ani Gatz is the Associate Director of Harris' Evening Master's Program, where she oversees operations and academic affairs. She provides academic advising and support to half of the students in the Evening Master's Program.

Read Ani’s bio here.


Marquis Hayes Headshot
Marquis Hayes

Marquis Hayes, Academic Advising Specialist

Marquis Hayes is an Academic Advising Specialist. He advises and supports MPP students throughout their time at Harris.

Read Marquis's bio here.


Amity James, Associate MSCAPP Program Director

Amity is the Associate Program Director for the MSCAPP Program. In this role, she handles issues related to course scheduling and registration, and works with the Program Director to evaluate program curriculum, policies, and procedures. She also serves as an academic advisor for MSCAPP students.


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Kim Kieras

Kim Kieras, Program Director, MS in Computational Analysis and Public Policy (MSCAPP)

Kim Kieras serves as program director of the Master of Science in Computational Analysis and Public Policy (MSCAPP) program. In this role, Kim is responsible for the overall program administration and day-to-day operations, including program planning and execution, admissions, recruitment, student affairs, and faculty support. In addition, Kim serves as an academic advisor to MSCAPP students.

Read Kim's bio here.


Kelly Lofgren Headshot
Kelly Lofgren

Kelly Lofgren, Registrar

Kelly Lofgren is the Registrar at Harris. She is responsible for creating the course schedule, leading the annual curriculum planning process, overseeing course registration, and managing faculty and instructor communications related to courses.

Read Kelly's bio here


Jen Lombardo Headshot
Jen Lombardo

Jen Lombardo, Associate Dean of Students, Academic Services and Advising

Jen oversees academic advising at Harris and coordinates a variety of student services with other members of the Dean of Students Team. She is an academic advisor for MPP and joint degree students and is constantly thinking about ways to improve the student experience. 

Read Jen’s bio here.


Marley Mandelaro Headshot
Marley Mandelaro

Marley Mandelaro, Assistant Director of Academic Advising and Academic Services

Marley Mandelaro serves as an Assistant Director for Academic Advising & Academic Services. She takes a relational approach to supporting Harris students from orientation to graduation. Marley also facilitates accommodations for students with documented disabilities, and assists our International student population.

Read Marley's bio here.


Tricia McCann Headshot
Tricia McCann

Tricia McCann, Student Life Coordinator, Evening Master's Program

As Student Life Coordinator, Tricia supports the engagement and connection of students in the Evening Master’s Program. They work to provide various programming and events that enhance students’ experience in the program.

Read Tricia's bio here.


Hanna Seferos headshot
Hanna Seferos

Hanna Seferos, Associate Director of Academic Advising

Hanna is the Assistant Director of Academic Advising on the Dean of Students Team at Harris. In this role, she advises MPP students and manages many academic support programs, resources, and events for students.

Read Hanna’s bio here.


William Smith Headshot
William Smith

William Smith, Assistant Program Director, MS in Computational Analysis and Public Policy (MSCAPP)

Will is the Assistant Program Director for the Master in Science in Computational Analysis and Public Policy Program (MSCAPP). He serves as an academic advisor for MSCAPP students and also supports academic and professional programming for the program.


Leslie Villaverde Headshot
Leslie Villaverde

Leslie Villaverde, Academic Advisor and Registration Specialist

Leslie is an Academic Advisor and Registration Specialist for the MPP and MA programs. In this role, she supports students during their time at Harris and helps them register for classes. 

Read Leslie's bio here.


Barbara Williams Headshot
Barbara Williams

Barbara Williams, Program Director, PhD and MACRM

Barbara is the administrative lead for the Harris research-focused degree programs. In this role she collaborates on the student experience from admission to alum, and coordinates with internal and external offices on curricular requirements.

Read Barbara’s bio here.


Learn more about the Harris Academic Advisors for all degree programs.