Double X-C Win at Interschols
Neil Evans
The 2014 Interschols Team—Back row, from left: Lauren Smith ’15, Natalie Yeh ’17, Katherine Sweetser ’17, Elizabeth Tso ’18, Olivia Brokaw ’18, Jess Gearan ’18, Alana Gudinas ’16, Sharon Zhang ’16, Lily Augus ’16, Gillian Cline ’16, and Marina Hunt ’17. Front row: Qiqi Ren ’15, Sharon Platt ’15, Parker Tope ’16, Grace Rademacher ’18, Michaela Jones ’18, Peyton McGovern ’16, and Carmen Bango ’16. Seated: Anoush Shehadeh ’15, captain.
New Challenges for Longtime Faculty Members
Elliott ’94 Named New Dean of Students
Yasmine Allen has been named the Academy’s new assistant dean of faculty. Currently a Spanish language instructor and chair of the Spanish department, Allen is also a house counselor in Nathan Hale House and a spinning coach. She is involved in a trial run of the Folio evaluation process and was part of the iPad pilot in 2013–2014 (see winter 2014 issue). Prior to joining the Andover faculty in fall 2000, Allen earned an MA degree in Spanish language and literature from Purdue University, where she was a lecturer. Raj Mundra has accepted the position of assistant dean of students and residential life, a role filled by Carlos Hoyt since 2006. Mundra came to Andover as a teaching fellow in 1991 and has been an instructor in biology and an assistant football coach since 1996. Currently cluster dean of Pine Knoll, he also has served as a house counselor, lacrosse and swimming coach, and assistant dean of the Office of Community and Multicultural Development. Mundra is the 2005 founder and current director of Niswarth, a Learning in the World program in India. Allen and Mundra start their new roles at the beginning of the 2015–2016 school year.
Jennifer Karlen Elliott ’94, an instructor in history and social science, dean of Abbot Cluster, and girls’ squash coach, has been appointed PA’s next dean of students, effective July 1. She will replace Paul Murphy ’84, who has served as dean of students since 2008. The dean of students position is a six-year rotating appointment made by the head of school. In addition to managing the five cluster deans who head up a campus network of adults dedicated to student programming and support, the dean of students oversees residential and day student life and plays a lead role in building community and handling disciplinary matters. Elliott says she will continue to place the health and well-being of students above all else and will seek every opportunity to get to know individual students. “I am eager to continue working to make Phillips Academy a more inclusive, communicative, and supportive learning environment for our students,” she said. Prior to joining Andover’s faculty in 2010, Elliott taught history and served as associate dean of students/dean of resident faculty at the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach, Calif. Before that, she taught, coached, and served as dean of students at Westminster School in Simsbury, Conn. Elliott holds a BA degree from Dartmouth and an MA degree from Lesley College. She lives on campus with husband Grant and their four children. Andover | Winter 2015
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Gil Talbot
Neil Evans
Lisa A. Gennetian, P’15
Nineteen girls’ varsity runners topped off their undefeated season with a victory at the NEPSTA Div. 1 Interschols at Hotchkiss on November 9. Big Blue’s top seven runners—four in the top 10—secured the team’s first varsity win since 2010 with 32 points (see page 21 for more). “The coaches are incredibly proud of this team, which stands solidly alongside some of the strongest teams in the program’s history—and there have been many,” said Coach Rebecca Hession. “We’re thrilled about the 2014 season and the contributions that every runner made to this team.” The girls’ JV team also placed first at Interschols, for the 14th time in the past 15 years, with 25 points. The individual champion was Sharon Zhang ’16. This was the final season for Nancy Lang ’83, who has coached girls’ cross-country with great success since 1994 (see page 13).