The University hired a new assistant dean of the Mount Vernon Campus in early September who students said they hope will advocate for heightened programming to enhance community-building efforts and greater health and food resources.

Betsy Shimberg will oversee the Vern’s programs, living-learning communities — or groups of residents living with other students in their academic program — and events after her predecessor, Laci Weeden, became the assistant dean for family engagement, according to her LinkedIn. Students said Shimberg has made herself accessible on the Vern through multiple meet the dean events and hope she will continue to bolster programming on the campus.

Shimberg said she has convened the Residence Hall Association’s presidents for monthly meetings and met with representatives from multiple student groups so far in her role. She said she’s heard “insights” from residents at meet the dean events, during her office hours and while dining with students at the Eatery at Pelham Commons since she started at the University. 

Shimberg comes to GW after more than 10 years at Brown University, where she most recently served as the senior associate dean of the College for Co-Curricular and Experiential Learning, leading a team that managed resources like undergraduate research, fellowships and pre-professional advising, according to her LinkedIn. She previously worked at Brown’s Swearer Center for Public Service, which she later directed.

“The opportunity to be the dean of the Vern combines my experience in university operations and administration with my passion for nurturing robust student communities,” Shimberg said in an email. “With my family’s recent relocation to Washington, D.C., I am honored to serve in this role and to guide GW students to find community and connection on our beautiful Mount Vernon Campus.”

Shimberg said she has identified “broad” objectives and actions centered around the Division for Student Affairs’ goals of student belonging, connections and campus pride.

“These goals reflect the insights and feedback that some GW students have shared with me and I look forward to continued conversations as I refine a vision for the Vern,” Shimberg said in an email. “I am grateful to be working with our MVC team, as well as GW faculty and staff on the Mount Vernon campus, to achieve these and additional goals in support of Vern students.”

She added that she met with alums of the Mount Vernon Seminary and College, the institution housed on the campus before GW bought the school in 1999, at their reunion event last month during Alumni and Families Weekend. 

Junior Lauren McCutcheon — the president of Women’s Leadership Program, a living-learning community housed on the Vern — said she attended one of Shimberg’s “Coffee with the Dean” events and observed how responsive she was to students who live on the Vern and students who just visit the campus for their University Writing classes, a program required for all undergraduate students mainly taught on the Vern.

“I saw students bring concerns to her about sustainability on the Vern, the Student Health Center and CAPS access on the Vern, and she was taking notes and I know she has followed up with multiple students on their concerns,” McCutcheon said. 

McCutcheon said Shimberg is actively working to reduce the isolation some Vern residents can feel while living about 10 minutes away from GW’s main campus in Foggy Bottom by encouraging student organizations and Greek life to hold meetings and events on the Vern, offering to provide snacks and resources to support the gatherings. 

“It’s been a very positive change to have someone who’s dedicated to advocating for the Vern and bringing those opportunities for the freshmen,” McCutcheon said.

McCutcheon said there should be more events and opportunities centered around GW Athletics, as well as taking advantage of the Vern’s ample outdoors space, like hosting soccer game tailgates, bonfires and outdoor movie nights.

“Really making use of the beautiful outdoor space that the Vern has since it’s something that Foggy definitely doesn’t have, and I missed it when I moved to Foggy last year,” McCutcheon said.

First-year Sam Calderwood, the RHA president of West Hall, said Shimberg has hosted numerous events to connect with students so far in her position like “Cobbler with the Dean” last month by the Webb Building where students could chat with her while enjoying cobbler around the Mount Vernon Express stop.

“She’s working very hard to get her name out there and make sure people know her,” Calderwood said. “I don’t think everyone’s super aware of who she is and what she’s doing behind the scenes.” 

Student Government Association President Ethan Fitzgerald said he met with Shimberg shortly after her hire in September to share his past feelings of isolation as a former Vern resident during his first year and introduce her to other student leaders who could help identify areas for campus improvement. Fitzgerald said there’s a growing recognition of the need to build community on the Vern among administration because of advocacy from students.

“I’ve certainly seen the difference between the Foggy Bottom and the Vern,” Fitzgerald said. “Just the ease of access to resources on Foggy Bottom, the ability to go to events quickly and the general community of being able to be with your friends since obviously a lot more live on Foggy.”

In September 2023, officials added a breakfast time to Pelham Commons after students said the campus had limited breakfast options and they would travel to the Foggy Bottom campus. 

Fitzgerald said SGA is working with Shimberg and the SHC to expand mental and physical health resources on the Vern like lengthening SHC hours, improving emergency response times, addressing food insecurity and dining improvements and advocating for broader student concerns. He said the SGA also aims to support leaders on the Vern in enhancing events and programming that promote community building. 

“First of all, there should be the basic services that are guaranteed on any campus you’re on,” Fitzgerald said. “I think there are services that, regardless of your campus, should be offered.

Thomas Kim contributed reporting.