Mr. Andrew D’Ambrosio, dean of the Class of 2022 and head of the humanities and social sciences department, as the next dean of student life was announced. Throughout his tenure at the school, Mr. D’Ambrosio has also served as an instructor in history, art history, philosophy & religion, as well as the Boys Varsity Lacrosse coach.

This appointment comes in anticipation of the departure of current dean of community life, Mr. Stephen McKibben. Mr. McKibben oversaw several initiatives throughout his tenure. Under his supervision, the Drug and Alcohol Policy was revised to allow students one chance and include alternative responses and punishments. These changes will be implemented for the first time during the 2022-2023 school year. He also managed the COVID Steering Committee, which was in charge of masking and other COVID-related policies in addition to the reintroduction of interdorming.

Months of a careful and purposeful selection process went into the decision. Among those involved in this process was the Dean of Faculty and Associate Head of School Dr. Merrilee Mardon, a search committee involving numerous teachers and faculty members, the search firm StratéGenius, and the Council of Student Interviewers (CSI). Those involved in the process searched for specific qualities in candidates who applied for the position. Charlotte Wood ’25, a member of CSI, said, “[We were looking for] someone who is going to interact well with the students and be transparent but also someone who is able to manage tasks and be on top of managing students and faculty and teachers and find a balance between that.”

Mr. D’Ambrosio stood out from other candidates because of his extensive experience working with school culture and student communities. Dr. Mardon said, “We have real confidence in his ability to help us sure-up our policies, include student voices, and just become a more positive and joyful community in the coming school year.”

Christopher Mudry ’23 and Richie Mamam Nbiba ’23, the recently elected all-school presidents for the 2022-23 school year, are also looking forward to working with Mr. D’Ambrosio. Mudry said, “We’re really excited. Mr. D’Ambrosio is a very action-oriented person; he knows the ship, and he really knows what needs to be changed.”

Dr. Mardon concluded, “Mr. D’Ambrosio combines a system-minded, clear-thinking approach to student life; he’s a very student-oriented, growth-oriented person, and he’s going to help us start really strong next school year as the Hotchkiss community.”

As Mr. D’Ambrosio steps into the new role, there are several ideas he wants to implement in the school community. He will look to further connect the administration with students, review and update school protocols, and build productive relationships between faculty and student leaders on campus. Mr. D’Ambrosio said, “I wish to re-imagine how information is shared on campus, de-mystifying all the processes and policies. What every member of the community wants right now is greater understanding, clarity, and accountability.”

An important aspect of Mr. D’Ambrosio’s work next year lies in how the school can gradually return to normal after the pandemic. Mr. D’Ambrosio discussed the change that he hopes to enact next year. He said, “The school has looked so different in the last 24 months, and I think we have to reinvent what makes Hotchkiss, Hotchkiss. It’s an opportunity for us to look back at what the important aspects of a community are.”

Mamam Nbiba and Mudry share this ambition of Mr. D’Ambrosio. Mamam Nbiba said, “There are definitely things we want to bring back next year: a strong community culture amongst club leaderships, chapel talks and senior reflections, inter-grade class dinners, and exciting all-school activities.”

Dr. Mardon agreed that rebuilding the school community will be a crucial aspect of the job. She said, “There’s no going back in time. We have to understand our needs and shared values going forward. We can definitely do it better, thinking about how great it is to be in a school where we can build such genuine relationships, grow, and learn together.”

There have been various reactions to the final selection for dean of student life. “I think [student reaction is] very mixed. I think people just have their own experiences with him which is why it’s hard to have someone who’s been here for a while,” Wood said, adding that she believes he is a good candidate. “But I think…everyone on the committee thinks he’s a good candidate and he’s going to do a really good job, and now we’re just thinking about how we can best support him for next year.