Nancy Thompson steps in as Interim Dean
by Deanna Durben ’25, Staff Writer
After Vice President and Dean of Students Terry Martinez went on medical leave beginning Oct. 11, former Dean of Students Nancy Thompson stepped in to serve as Interim Dean in Martinez’s absence.
However, Thompson is no stranger to the College, having worked in the Dean of Students office in various roles for 31 years before her retirement in 2017. During that time, Thompson served as Dean of Students for 14 years. In this position, she oversaw multicultural affairs, career services, Campus Safety, chaplains, counseling and psychological services, study abroad, Residential Life, Student Activities, student health services and the Outdoor Adventure program. She was beloved by both students and staff, winning their respect and admiration.
Throughout Hamilton’s handlings of COVID-19 last year, Thompson followed the College’s progress from afar — or not so far, as she lives right down the Hill. According to Thompson, she passed through campus three days a week and never saw a student without a mask. “I was so proud of this community for the great work they did to keep everyone safe,” she said. Thompson had not anticipated returning, but she is glad to offer her help and expertise.
Since Thompson last worked at Hamilton, there have been many improvements in the division of student life that she is really excited about. She has found the additional staff and programming in the Counseling Center to be really beneficial, and that the new ALEX program is fantastic because of its potential to help students feel connected to all of Hamilton’s resources from the beginning.
Thompson is excited to reconnect with old colleagues and meet new ones.
“It’s good to be back,” she said.
Over the course of her impressive previous tenure, Dean Thompson was known for her ability to connect with students on an individual level. Right before her retirement in June 2017, Hamilton’s Alumni Association presented her with the 2017 Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes an employee who has substantially contributed to Hamilton through their distinguished job performance and involvement in student, alumni or other activities in the College community.
The citation included effusive praise from both colleagues and students. “When someone at the pinnacle of her career takes you seriously, you remember her,” two members of the Class of 2007 wrote, “She had faith in us.” She acted as “the fair and rational voice of the College,” helping students who made mistakes face consequences and redeem themselves, as well as talking to students and parents about difficult topics in ways that they could appreciate and understand.
Thompson has cultivated a reputation on campus for her ability to seek out opportunities to interact and hear about students’ experiences. From striking up conversations while eating lunch in a dining hall to communicating with various student organizations, she always tries to find out what students need and what parts of their experience at Hamilton they are enjoying.
Dean Thompson has long expressed her belief that students have great ideas and the best understanding of what could make their lives better. According to Thompson, while the administration cannot change everything students would like, and some goals require gradual progress, she believes that the College cannot begin to improve unless students communicate their needs and wants. As she expressed in an all-campus email on Oct. 17, Dean Thompson welcomes any chance to meet with students to discuss their concerns.
The Division of Student Life works with everything from Residential Life to student publications, so Dean Thompson continuously touched base with students during her time in office. An important aspect of how she connected with students was always working closely with the Student Assembly (SA). Thompson articulated that SA offers the most direct channel to hear student opinions, stating, “I feel like the Student Assembly can be a really important voice for the student body and advocate for things that will benefit the students at Hamilton.” She further noted, “working with the SA is a very powerful way to get student needs met.” Thompson is hoping to forge a close relationship with the current assembly.
Dean Thompson is unsure how long she will hold her new position, but noted that she will try her best to form strong connections and build rapport with the student body to ensure student voices are heard. “I’m happy to help make sure Dean Martinez’s vision keeps moving forwards,” she said, and hopes that she will do well.
As Thompson stated, “I have always been, and will continue to be, committed to trying to make sure that every single student at Hamilton has the best experience they can have, and that this is a place where they feel they belong, and where they can thrive, and be challenged and meet those challenges, and feel strengthened by their experiences.”
Whether you have concerns, suggestions or want to share “what’s good” at Hamilton, Dean Thompson would like to hear about it: “My door is open, so just reach out to Cindy [Reynolds] and get on my calendar.”
