Princeton’s close-knit residential college system is a cornerstone of the campus community. The seven colleges that comprise our residential college system—Butler, Forbes, Mathey, New College West, Rockefeller (Rocky), Whitman, and Yeh—are designed to blend living and learning experiences, offering a depth of support to students both inside and outside of the classroom. They include a broad community of advisers and professional staff who are invested in student success. Heads of College Inspired to cultivate inclusive communities, our heads of college nurture intellectual, social, and personal development. Responsibilities & Terms The head of each of Princeton’s seven residential colleges is a tenured faculty member with the rank of full professor. Residing directly within the campus community in college houses, they are directly accessible to students and host dynamic programs that build community by bringing together students, faculty, and administrators throughout the academic year. Heads of college serve for a four-year period, renewable for a second term. A Focus on Connection Community-building & student engagement Create and sustain an inclusive community for the undergraduate residents and affiliates of the college. Be a consistent presence in the college during the academic year (from orientation through commencement). Get to know students well and support their intellectual and personal development. Intellectual & social programming Provide vision, leadership, and support for the intellectual and social programs sponsored by the college, including the faculty fellows program, the resident graduate student program, the residential college adviser program, and the college council. Support the advising work of the professional staff and affiliated faculty advisers. Work closely with the resident faculty member and college staff to encourage faculty engagement in college life. Leadership & administration Supervise and support a staff of five: The residential college dean The assistant dean The director of student life The college program administrator The college office coordinator Steward college resources, including program budget and facilities. Policy & governance Attend regular meetings of the Council of College Heads (COCH), the policy group for the residential college program. Think strategically about how to strengthen and advance the goals of the residential colleges and serve on University committees as a representative. Represent the interests of the college in negotiations with campus partners, including the Office of Design and Construction, the Office of Advancement, Housing, Campus Dining, and others. Open Positions Find details on open calls, review eligibility guidelines, and submit a Head of College Application Deans Our residential college deans support students both academically and individually. Dean & Assistant Dean for Studies Deans and assistant deans for studies oversees all students’ academic progress. This includes coordinating faculty and peer academic advising; providing individual academic advising and support to all students resident in the college, as well as to upper-level students affiliated with the college; and coordinating academic programming in the college throughout the year. Assistant Dean for Student Life Assistant deans for student life support students' well-being individually and as a community. This includes supervising and working with the residential college advisers (juniors and seniors resident in the college), each of whom is assigned to a "zee group" (advisee group) of first-year students; advising students on non-academic matters; and adjudicating disciplinary matters. Faculty Faculty play a key role in shaping the student experience in our residential colleges. Faculty Advisers Well-trained in the University’s core requirements, faculty advisers help students think broadly and make the most of their liberal arts education. Faculty advisers receive a modest stipend and generous meal privileges within their affiliated residential college. Adviser training is provided by College staff. Learn more about Advising at Princeton. If you are interested in becoming a faculty adviser, please email Cecily Swanson. Faculty Fellows College faculty fellows meet with students in informal settings or over meals in the dining halls. They are also invited to share their research in informal workshops or conversations that illuminate possibilities. College faculty fellows receive meal privileges within their affiliated residential college. If you are interested in becoming a fellow, please apply. Extended Communities of Support In addition to core staff, numerous members of the Princeton community come together to support students in their residential colleges. Residential College Advisers RCAs foster a safe, inclusive, and engaging community for their peer residential college students. Residential Life Coordinator Focused on cultivating a welcoming and cohesive residential community, Residential Life Coordinators support and promote student health, safety, and well-being. College Program Administrator College program administrators oversee the budget of the college as well as the management of all college facilities. College Office Coordinator Working closely with the head of college, deans, and other staff members, college office coordinators support all aspects of the college and assist with event planning and scheduling. Resident Graduate Students The Resident Graduate Students (RGS) program enhances the residential college experience and fosters a dynamic campus community that unites undergraduates, graduate students, faculty across the disciplines, and staff. Peer Academic Advisers Peer Academic Advisers provide additional academic support to their assigned zee groups of peer students.
