Welcome from President Rooney

Prospective students and their families frequently ask me, what sets Dean College apart? Many things, of course, but three things in particular distinguish us from other colleges. We call them the “Dean Difference,” and they help to make us unique.

 First, we provide unmatched support, both academically and socially, tailored to each student’s individual needs. For some students, it is about monitoring academic progress or providing appropriate accommodations and facilities to ensure their success. For others, it is about challenging them to move beyond their comfort zone and achieve at a level that truly matches their potential. Whatever each student’s personal needs, Dean provides them with a nurturing environment to help them achieve their academic and life goals.

 Second, as a private residential college, we offer a safe and protective environment on a 100-acre campus located in historic Franklin, Massachusetts, a tree-lined New England town which recently celebrated its 350^thanniversary. Within this warm and welcoming community, Dean students learn through participation in class, through internships and work-to-learn programs and in clubs and organizations, artistic endeavors and athletic pursuits. They are supported by faculty and staff members who know each student by name, and encourage them in their hopes, dreams and aspirations. 

Third, Dean provides each and every student with a robust academic platform upon which to achieve success. For some of our students, that means the completion of an associate degree and transfer to a four-year college or university. For others, it is the completion of a baccalaureate degree – in one of five programs we now offer – and the challenge of working in their chosen field. Our record speaks for itself: 98 percent of Dean’s A.A. graduates earn admission to some of the country’s leading colleges, while 75 percent of Dean’s 2010 B.A. graduates had jobs in their field by Commencement, despite today’s challenging economy.

 In the end, the Dean Difference is that we are with our students every step of the way on their journey towards a college degree, working with them as full partners in their education. This commitment stems from our understanding of the sacrifices and hard work required to obtain a college education, and our concomitant obligation to provide a high-quality academic and living environment.

 For 145 years, Dean College has offered young women and men a genuinely transformative experience that truly helps them “prepare for what’s next.” Ultimately, that is what the Dean Difference is all about. I hope that you will enjoy viewing our Web site, and that you will be able to visit our campus to see first-hand the Dean Difference and the difference it makes in our students’ lives.

Paula M. Rooney, Ed.D.

President