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The Fall 2025 Graduate Program Application is open! Apply by the priority deadline on May 13, 2025.
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.
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.
We provide personal and academic support to best educate and guide our students in all aspects of the Harris experience.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Andrew Dawson is the Associate 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.
Esaú Delgado serves as an Academic Advising and Financial Aid Specialist at the Harris School of Public Policy. In this role, he serves as an academic advisor to MPP students and assists them with financial aid, billing, registration, and campus services.
Read Esaú's bio here.
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.
Ani Gatz is the Director of Harris' Evening Master's Program, where she oversees operations and academic affairs. She provides academic advising and support to students in the Evening Master's Program.
Read Ani’s bio here.
Marquis Hayes is an Academic Advising Specialist. He advises and supports MPP students throughout their time at Harris.
Read Marquis's bio here.
Nikki Horn is the Director of Harris' PhD and Master in Public Policy with Certificate in Research Methods Programs, where she oversees operations and academic affairs. She provides academic advising and support to students in the PhD and MACRM programs.
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.
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 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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
Learn more about the Harris Academic Advisors for all degree programs.