GSAS Appoints Director of GSAS Student Center

Jackie Yun, GSAS’s director of student services, has been appointed director of the Student Center at Harvard Griffin GSAS (formerly Dudley House). As the inaugural director, Yun will work with the current administrative staff and the Student Center Fellows to continue and enhance the support and intellectual and social activities offered to GSAS students. She will also advance the outreach that GSAS undertook during the last academic year to re-envision programming, engagement, and space usage for the Center.

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Jackie Yun

“I am thrilled that Jackie has accepted the position as the inaugural director of the Student Center at Harvard Griffin GSAS,” said Garth McCavana, dean for student affairs. “She has extensive experience working with students, particularly in the area of student group leadership and development, and her deep knowledge of the resources that support GSAS students will be a tremendous asset in this new role.”

Yun joined GSAS in 2014, and during her time leading the Office of Student Services, she has worked closely with students and spearheaded a number of initiatives that have advanced student leadership development. In particular, she engaged with student groups, equipping them with tools and skills that supported their efforts. She has also built strong relationships with University-wide offices that support GSAS students, which will be a tremendous benefit in her new role.

“The Student Center at Harvard Griffin GSAS will provide a forum for Center fellows, student groups, diversity and inclusion fellows, and the Graduate Student Council to collaborate and coordinate across their positions and organizations to build community in GSAS,” said Yun. “I am looking forward to working with all stakeholders to evaluate the current programming and space use and to develop a mission and goals that ensure all students find a supportive and inclusive environment at the Center.”

Prior to coming to Harvard, Yun served in a variety of student services roles at the Boston University School of Education, ultimately heading student services as director. She earned an MS in arts administration from BU, where she completed additional study in educational leadership and policy studies, and graduated from Salve Regina University with a BA in theatre arts and English communications.

“Pursuing social and intellectual activities and finding a supportive environment outside the classroom, library, and laboratory are important components of the graduate student experience,” said Emma Dench, dean of GSAS. “I am delighted that Jackie will help us move forward with our efforts to think anew about a graduate student center.”

Yun will officially take up her new role in late October.

Photo by Tony Rinaldo