Reflections from a Rookie Dean

In the season seven finale, Dartmouth's Kathryn Bezella discusses lessons gleaned from her first year as an admissions dean with Lee Coffin, who just completed his 30th year in such a role. In a candid conversation about what they each bring to the conference table where decisions are made, the Dartmouth duo muse about the "roller coaster dynamic" of leading a very selective admissions process, mastering its invisible gears, overcoming nerves, and juggling various priorities while preserving and respecting each student's voice in an increasingly high volume of applications.

Episode 14 of the Admissions Beat podcast, hosted by Kathryn Bezella • Assistant Vice President and Dean of Undergraduate Admissions, Lee Coffin • Vice President and Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid at Dartmouth College, titled "Reflections from a Rookie Dean" was published on May 20, 2025 and runs 48 minutes.

May 20, 2025 ·48m · Admissions Beat

Summary

In the season seven finale, Dartmouth's Kathryn Bezella discusses lessons gleaned from her first year as an admissions dean with Lee Coffin, who just completed his 30th year in such a role. In a candid conversation about what they each bring to the conference table where decisions are made, the Dartmouth duo muse about the "roller coaster dynamic" of leading a very selective admissions process, mastering its invisible gears, overcoming nerves, and juggling various priorities while preserving and respecting each student's voice in an increasingly high volume of applications.

Episode Description