Division of Student Affairs Staff

Dean Hinkson oversees the Dean of Students office, governing: student affairs, campus life, residence halls, the dining program, Career Development Office, Smith Campus Center, programs like KSPC, Asian American Resource Center, Draper Center for Community Partnerships, Queer Resource Center, the Title IX coordinator and related support services, the Women’s Union, Outdoor Education Center and policy and non-academic compliance matters. With more than three decades of higher education experience, including at Barnard College and UC Berkeley, she was an associate dean of admissions at Pomona from 1990-1994.

The Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Dean of Students for Academic and Personal Success provides support and counseling for students across all class years via the Class Dean model. The Assistant Vice President oversees the “on-call deans” system, on-call assessment team, and training for staff, faculty, and students on proactively identifying, responding to, and supporting students in distress. She also supports faculty development related to diversity and mental health issues; serves as liaison to Student Health Services, and Monsour Counseling, Health Education Outreach; sits - Title IX Task Force, and chairs the JED Campus Mental Health Task Force and the ADA Audit Task Force.

Maura McDinger joined Pomona College in 2021 and serves as the Junior Class Dean. In this role, she provides individualized support for students as they manage academic and personal challenges during their time as students at Pomona. Maura works closely with the class deans, student affairs team and faculty to coordinate efforts and provide consistency and continuity in student support. Maura also partners with the junior class president and student leaders to encourage student-led initiatives and events that build a sense of community within the junior class. Additionally, Maura serves as a co-advisor to the Judicial Council.

Cassandra Godinez joined Pomona College in 2022 and serves as the Sophomore Class Dean. In this role, she provides individualized support for students as they manage academic and personal challenges during their time as students at Pomona. Cassandra works closely with the class deans, student affairs team and faculty to coordinate efforts and provide consistency and continuity in student support. Cassandra also partners with the sophomore class president and student leaders to encourage student-led initiatives and events that build a sense of community within the sophomore class.

The Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, First-year Class Dean is responsible for a comprehensive program of advising and class management for the first-year students. The first-year class dean collaborates with faculty, staff, students, and community members to support equitable, inclusive, and sustainable learning environments. The first-year class dean works closely with other campus offices to both inform and enhance resources and services in support of student learning and engagement.

The Title IX Coordinator and Clery Officer at Pomona College has primary responsibility for overseeing the College’s Title IX efforts, and serves as a central resource for all constituencies on the wide range of issues addressed by Title IX and the Clery Act. This position has responsibility for overseeing the College’s compliance, training, and education related Clery Act matters. As Title IX Coordinator/Clery Officer and Associate Dean, this person is in a leadership position to contribute to enhancing the culture of diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence at the College. The Title IX Coordinator and Clery Officer directs the work of the CARES (Campus Advocacy Resources Education and Support) program by providing supervision and support to the Assistant Director of CARES. This position leads the work of the Deputy Title IX Coordinators in matters related to Title IX, collaborates closely with faculty, staff, and students, as well as with colleagues across the Claremont Colleges.

As the Assistant Director, CARES, Destiny is responsible for the planning, coordination, and implementation of training and other holistic education programs to help prevent violence on campus. She plays a key role in building and strengthening student leadership programs such as the CARES Peer Educators and the Project Sister Campus Advocates. The Assistant Director serves as a Teal Dot facilitator and provides support to the CORE Blueprint Committee.

The Associate Dean of Students for Student Development and Leadership serves as lead support for Pomona College’s student mentoring groups, including the International Student Mentoring Program (ISMP), First Generation/Low Income network (FLI Scholars), Multi-Ethnic and Multi-Racial Group Exchange (MERGE), the Indigenous Peer Mentoring Program (IPMP), and the South Asian Mentoring Program (SAMP). Brandon is co-adviser to the Judicial Council with the Dean of Campus Life as well as liaison to the Office of Black Student Affairs, Chicano/Latino Student Affairs, and the 7C International Student Community Programs Council. He supervises the Assistant Director, First-generation and Undocumented Student Programs, Daniel Caballero, and the Director of the Queer Resources Center, Sharon Chia Claros.

The Assistant Director, First Generation Student Programs is the primary resource person for first generation and undocumented students at Pomona College. This individual assists in the transition, development, and retention of first generation students.

Adaly Martinez serves as the Director of Accessibility Services, and is responsible for ensuring College-wide compliance with federal, state, and local legislation on matters related to medical and mental health disabilities. The Director leads the Accessibility Resources and Services (ARS) Office and oversees the work of the ARS & COVID Coordinator and the Administrative Services Coordinator. The Director and ARS staff collaborate with faculty, staff, and students to support and promote an accessible and inclusive campus environment.

The Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students provides support services for the Student Affairs division, while providing administrative and financial budgetary support for the Dean of Students office.  As well as coordinates and oversees student enrollment in SHIP; coordinates special events, and retreats for the Student Affairs division; managing the Vice Presidents schedule/calendar and making travel arrangements. She also organizes materials while providing support for SAC, the Management Team, and the Student Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees.

As Administrative Services Coordinator, Brittney provides a broad range of administrative support to the Dean of Students Office, including budgetary support and processing, administrative scheduling, and event planning. She directly supports the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Dean of Students for Academic and Personal Success, Tracy Arwari, and the Director of Accessibility Services, Adaly Reyes Martinez.

As Administrative Services Coordinator, Melissa provides a broad range of administrative support to the Dean of Students Office, including budgetary support and processing, administrative scheduling, and event planning. She directly supports the Associate Dean and Title IX Coordinator, Erica Moorer Taylor, and the Associate Dean of Students for Student Development and Leadership, Brandon J. Jackson.

As Administrative Services Coordinator, Merryann provides budgetary support for the Dean of Students Office, which includes processing invoices, reimbursements and student payroll. She also processes student funding applications for Emergency Grant Funding and McCann Loans.

The Receptionist in the Dean of Students Office is responsible for providing clerical and administrative support services to the office staff and Assistant Deans.

Area of Expertise: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Campus Climate, Searches, Chau Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship, Memorials