Announcement of Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

June 5, 2024

Dear Pitzer Community,

I am delighted to announce that Andrés Fernández has been appointed Pitzer’s next Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, following a competitive national search. Andrés is joining the Pitzer community from the Yale University School of the Environment, where he has served as Dean of Students for the school and Strategic Advisor for Institutional Equity, Accessibility, and Belonging for the university.

Andrés has worked across multiple areas of higher education, including admissions (Columbia University) and study abroad (New York University). Preceding his time at Yale, Andrés served as an Associate Dean of Students at Brown University focused on undergraduate students, and as an Assistant Dean of Studies at Oberlin College, where he supported students both academically and in co-curricular matters.

Throughout his career, Andrés has contributed to organizations with impactful global missions, including the Forge Kala Refuge Camp (an NGO in Zambia) and the Permanent Mission of Venezuela to the United Nations. He earned a master’s degree in international relations from Miami University of Ohio and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Illinois.

Andrés is excited for the opportunity to help advance Pitzer’s shared mission, values, and strategic priorities. “I am beyond grateful, humbled and enthusiastic to join a community so deeply committed to social justice, intercultural understanding, sustainability and shared governance. The Pitzer students are firmly focused on becoming better humans, raising awareness on global challenges, and addressing the ecological crisis head on and so it is my honor and privilege to join them, learn, and grow together on this journey. The philosophical and cultural fit for me was evident from the moment I stepped on campus and connected with wonderful future colleagues and students. It was refreshing to see a leadership team so available, interested in raising student voices and committed to the student experience. My wife Isabella, daughters Rumi and Río Luna, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to join Pitzer College, the Claremont Colleges and the town of Claremont. Let’s get to work. Thank you, thank you!”

Andrés will be collaborating closely with the leadership team and staff in Student Affairs and others as he transitions to this new role at Pitzer beginning July 15. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Interim Vice President and Dean of Students Jan Barker Alexander for her engagement, support and contributions to the Division of Student Affairs and the College over the past academic year. I am also grateful to the members of the advisory search committee for their excellent work in this vitally important search: Chris Castañeda, Tara Gokul, Nicholas Hernandez, Barbara Junisbai and Erika Quiñónez.

Andrés and his family will be moving to Claremont this summer. Please join me in warmly welcoming the newest member of Pitzer’s team, a dynamic leader who, along with his team, will work across the entire College to enhance and develop the holistic student experience and our lively, enriching, inclusive, and supportive campus environment.

Provida Futuri,

Strom C. Thacker
President