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Skidmore College
Self-Determined Major Committee (SDM)

Membership in SDM

Membership: The SDM Committee is composed of five members. The SDM Director is appointed by the Dean of Faculty/VPSS to serve as the administrator of the SDM Program.  In addition to the Director, three faculty members will be appointed for staggered three-year terms, such that all four of the College's major divisions (Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Science and Pre-professional programs) are represented. A representative from the Office of Academic Advising will be appointed by the Associate Dean of the Faculty for Student Academic Affairs annually. 

  • Catherine White Berheide; Chair (Sociology) (2026)
  • Ryan Homsey  (Director of Academic Advising) (2026)
  • Scott Mulligan (International Affairs) (2026)
  • Sheldon Solomon (Psychology) (2024)
  • Melora Wolff (English) (2026)

 

Membership: The SDM Committee is composed of five members. The SDM Director is appointed by the Dean of Faculty/VPSS to serve as the administrator of the SDM Program.  In addition to the Director, three faculty members will be appointed for staggered three-year terms, such that all four of the College's major divisions (Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Science and Pre-professional programs) are represented. A representative from the Office of Academic Advising will be appointed by the Associate Dean of the Faculty for Student Academic Affairs annually. 

  • Catherine White Berheide; Chair (Sociology) (2024)
  • Ryan Homsey (Office of Academic Advising) (2023)
  • Michael Paulmeno (Scribner Library) (2023)
  • Sheldon Solomon (Psychology) (2024)
  • Melora Wolff (English) (2023)

Membership: The SDM Committee is composed of five members. The SDM Director is appointed by the Dean of Faculty/VPSS to serve as the administrator of the SDM Program.  In addition to the Director, three faculty members will be appointed for staggered three-year terms, such that all four of the College's major divisions (Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Science and Pre-professional programs) are represented. A representative from the Office of Academic Advising will be appointed by the Associate Dean of the Faculty for Student Academic Affairs annually. 

  • Michael Arnush, Office of Academic Advising (Fall 2021)
  • Bakary Diaby, English (Fall 2022)
  • Catherine White Berheide, SDM Director (2022)
  • Ryan Homsey, Office of Academic Advising (Spring 2022)
  • Michael Paulmeno, Scribner Library (2022)
  • Sheldon Solomon, Psychology (2024)
  • Melora Wolff, English (Spring 2022)

Membership: The SDM Committee is composed of five members. The SDM Director is appointed by the Dean of Faculty/VPSS to serve as the administrator of the SDM Program.  In addition to the Director, three faculty members will be appointed for staggered three-year terms, such that all four of the College's major divisions (Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Science and Pre-professional programs) are represented. A representative from the Office of Academic Advising will be appointed by the Associate Dean of the Faculty for Student Academic Affairs annually. 

  • Michael Arnush, Office of Academic Advising (2021) Fall 2021
  • Catherine Berheide, Sociology (2023) (LV F'20; S'21)
  • Bakary Diaby, English (2021) Fall 2021
  • Ryan Homsey, Academic Advising (2021)
  • Katie Kane, Academic Administrative Assistant (2021)
  • Michael Paulmeno, Scribner Library (2021)
  • Sheldon Solomon, Psychology (2021)
  • Melora Wolff, English (2023) Spring 2022

Membership: The SDM Committee is composed of five members. The SDM Director is appointed by the Dean of Faculty/VPSS to serve as the administrator of the SDM Program.  In addition to the Director, three faculty members will be appointed for staggered three-year terms, such that all four of the College's major divisions (Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Science and Pre-professional programs) are represented. A representative from the Office of Academic Advising will be appointed by the Associate Dean of the Faculty for Student Academic Affairs annually. 

  • Catherine Berheide, Sociology, Director (2019)
  • Kim Marsella, Office of Academic Advising (2019)
  • Jen McDonald, Health Promotions (2019)
  • Jill Linz, Physics (2019)
  • Barbara Norelli, Scribner Library (2019)

Membership: The SDMS is composed of five members. Advisory Board members, representing the College's four major divisions: Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Science and Pre-Professional programs, are appointed for a three-year term. The SDM Director is appointed by the Dean of Faculty/VPAA; three faculty representatives serving three-year staggered terms are appointed by the DOF/VPAA in consultation with the SDM Director; a representative from the Office of Academic Advising will be appointed annually by the Dean of Studies.

  • Catherine Berheide, Sociology, Director (2019)
  • Kim Marsella, Office of Academic Advising (2019)
  • Jen McDonald, Health Promotions (2019)
  • Jill Linz, Physics (2021)
  • Barbara Norelli, Scribner Library (2021)

Membership: The SDMS is composed of five members. Advisory Board members, representing the College's four major divisions: Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Science and Pre-Professional programs, are appointed for a three-year term. The SDM Director is appointed by the Dean of Faculty/VPAA; three faculty representatives serving three-year staggered terms are appointed by the DOF/VPAA in consultation with the SDM Director; a representative from the Office of Academic Advising will be appointed annually by the Dean of Studies.

  • Catherine Berheide, Sociology, Director (2018)
  • Denise Evert, Psychology (2018)
  • Kim Marsella, Office of Academic Advising (2018)
  • Jen McDonald, Health Promotions (2018)

2016-2017

Membership: The SDMS is composed of five members. Advisory Board members, representing the College's four major divisions: Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Science and Pre-Professional programs, are appointed for a three-year term. The SDM Director is appointed by the Dean of Faculty/VPAA; three faculty representatives serving three-year staggered terms are appointed by the DOF/VPAA in consultation with the SDM Director; a representative from the Office of Academic Advising will be appointed annually by the Dean of Studies.

2016 Giuseppe Faustini, World Languages & Literatures, Chair
2016 Catherine Berheide, Sociology
2018 Denise Evert, Psychology
2017 TBD - faculty Curriculum Committee rep
2017 Kim Marsella, Office of Academic Advising

2015-2016

Membership: The SDMS is composed of five members. Advisory Board members, representing the College's four major divisions: Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Science and Pre-Professional programs, are appointed for a three-year term. The SDM Director is appointed by the Dean of Faculty/VPAA; three faculty representatives serving three-year staggered terms are appointed by the DOF/VPAA in consultation with the SDM Director; a representative from the Office of Academic Advising will be appointed annually by the Dean of Studies.

2016 Giuseppe Faustini, World Languages & Literatures, Chair (Humanities)
  Michael Marx, English, Chair (Fall 2015)
2016 Catherine Berheide, Sociology (Social Science)
2018 Denise Evert, Psychology (Natural Science)
2018 Jennifer McDonald, Director of Health Promotion, Counseling Center
2016 Kim Marsella, Office of Academic Advising

2014-2015

Membership: The SDMS is composed of five members. Advisory Board members, representing the College's four major divisions: Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Science and Pre-Professional programs, are appointed for a three-year term. The SDM Director is appointed by the Dean of Faculty/VPAA; three faculty representatives serving three-year staggered terms are appointed by the DOF/VPAA in consultation with the SDM Director; a representative from the Office of Academic Advising will be appointed annually by the Dean of Studies.

2015 Giuseppe Faustini, Foreign Languages & Literatures, Chair
2015 Barbara Norelli, Library (2-yr replacement for von Allmen)
2016 Catherine Berheide, Sociology
2015 Denise Evert, Psychology
2015 Kim Marsella, Office of Academic Advising

2013-2014

Membership: The SDMS is composed of five members. Advisory Board members, representing the College's four major divisions: Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Science and Pre-Professional programs, are appointed for a three-year term. The SDM Director is appointed by the Dean of Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs; three faculty representatives serving three-year staggered terms are appointed by the DOF/VPAA in consultation with the SDM Director; a representative from the Office of Academic Advising will be appointed annually by the Dean of Studies.

2015 Giuseppe Faustini, Foreign Languages & Literatures, Chair
2015 Barbara Norelli, Library (2-yr replacement for von Allmen)
2016 Catherine Berheide, Sociology
2014 Sylvia McDevitt, Curriculum Committee rep
2013 Kim Marsella, Office of Academic Advising

2012-2013

Membership: The SDMS is composed of five members. One faculty representative from the Curriculum Committee; three faculty representatives serving four-year staggered terms, who are appointed by the CC chair each spring for the following academic year from a list generated by a FEC-sponsored willingness-to-serve solicitation, and the Dean of Studies or a representative of the Dean of Studies Office. The CC chair and FEC will make an effort to solicit candidates for the SDMS from across the major academic divisions of the college -- Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Science and Pre-Professional programs. If an insufficient number of candidates are generated by the willingness to serve process, the Chair of the CC, in conjunction with FEC, will seek out and appoint willing faculty members. The Chair of the SDMS will be one of the three faculty members, and will serve for a two-year rotating term, preferably in the second and third year of their service.

2013 Giuseppe Faustini, Foreign Languages & Literatures,Chair
2015 Peter von Allmen, Economics
2016 Barbara Norelli, Library
2013 Sylvia McDevitt, Curriculum Committee rep
2013 Kim Marsella, Office of Academic Advising

2011-2012

Membership: The SDMS is composed of five members. One faculty representative from the Curriculum Committee; three faculty representatives serving four-year staggered terms, who are appointed by the CC chair each spring for the following academic year from a list generated by a FEC-sponsored willingness-to-serve solicitation, and the Dean of Studies or a representative of the Dean of Studies Office. The CC chair and FEC will make an effort to solicit candidates for the SDMS from across the major academic divisions of the college -- Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Science and Pre-Professional programs. If an insufficient number of candidates are generated by the willingness to serve process, the Chair of the CC, in conjunction with FEC, will seek out and appoint willing faculty members. The Chair of the SDMS will be one of the three faculty members, and will serve for a two-year rotating term, preferably in the second and third year of their service.

2012 Barbara Norelli, Library
2013 Giuseppe Faustini, Foreign Languages & Literatures,Chair
2015 Peter von Allmen, Economics
2012 TBD - Curriculum Committee rep
  TBD - Academic Advisor, Dean of Studies Office rep

2010-2011

Membership: The SDMS is composed of five members. One faculty representative from the Curriculum Committee; three faculty representatives serving four-year staggered terms, who are appointed by the CC chair each spring for the following academic year from a list generated by a FEC-sponsored willingness-to-serve solicitation, and the Dean of Studies or a representative of the Dean of Studies Office. The CC chair and FEC will make an effort to solicit candidates for the SDMS from across the major academic divisions of the college -- Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Science and Pre-Professional programs. If an insufficient number of candidates are generated by the willingness to serve process, the Chair of the CC, in conjunction with FEC, will seek out and appoint willing faculty members. The Chair of the SDMS will be one of the three faculty members, and will serve for a two-year rotating term, preferably in the second and third year of their service.

2013 Giuseppe Faustini Foreign Languages & Literatures, Chair                         
2011 Anthony Holland, Music
2012 Barbara Norelli, Library
2011 Sylvia McDevitt, Biology, Curriculum Committee rep
  TBD - Academic Advisor, Dean of Studies Office rep

2009-2010

Membership: The SDMS is composed of five members. One faculty representative from the Curriculum Committee; three faculty representatives serving four-year staggered terms, who are appointed by the CC chair each spring for the following academic year from a list generated by a FEC-sponsored willingness-to-serve solicitation, and the Dean of Studies or a representative of the Dean of Studies Office. The CC chair and FEC will make an effort to solicit candidates for the SDMS from across the major academic divisions of the college -- Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Science and Pre-Professional programs. If an insufficient number of candidates are generated by the willingness to serve process, the Chair of the CC, in conjunction with FEC, will seek out and appoint willing faculty members. The Chair of the SDMS will be one of the three faculty members, and will serve for a two-year rotating term, preferably in the second and third year of their service.

2010 Joshua Ness, Biology (LV S'09, F'09)
2009 Catherine Gibson, Environmental Studies (1-yr replacement for Ness S'09, F'09)
2010 Michael Marx, English, Chair  ('09 specific per CC, SDMSC, FEC)
2011 Anthony Holland, Music (LV S'10)
  Marc-Andre Wiesmann, Foreign Languages & Literatures (replacement for Holland S'10)
2012 Barbara Norelli, Library (LV S'10)
2013 Giuseppe Faustini, Foreign Languages & Literatures, faculty (LV S'10)         
  Kenji Tierney, Sociology, Anthropology & Social Work (replacement for Faustini S'10)
  Tim Harper, Management & Business, Curriculum Committee rep
  TBD - Academic Advisor, Dean of Studies Office rep

2008-2009

Membership: The SDMS is composed of five members. One faculty representative from the Curriculum Committee; three faculty representatives serving four-year staggered terms, who are appointed by the CC chair each spring for the following academic year from a list generated by a FEC-sponsored willingness-to-serve solicitation, and the Dean of Studies or a representative of the Dean of Studies Office. The CC chair and FEC will make an effort to solicit candidates for the SDMS from across the major academic divisions of the college -- Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Science and Pre-Professional programs. If an insufficient number of candidates are generated by the willingness to serve process, the Chair of the CC, in conjunction with FEC, will seek out and appoint willing faculty members. The Chair of the SDMS will be one of the three faculty members, and will serve for a two-year rotating term, preferably in the second and third year of their service.

2010 Joshua Ness, Biology (LV S'09, F'09)
2009 Catherine Gibson, Environmental Studies (1-yr replacement for Ness S'09, F'09)
2009 Michael Marx, English, Chair  ('09 specific per CC, SDMSC, FEC)
2011 Anthony Holland, Music
2012 Barbara Norelli, Library
  Tim Harper, Management & Business, Curriculum Committee rep
  Laurie Baker, Academic Advisor, Dean of Studies Office rep

2007-2008

Membership: The SDMS is composed of five members. One faculty representative from the Curriculum Committee; three faculty representatives serving four-year staggered terms, who are appointed by the CC chair each spring for the following academic year from a list generated by a FEC-sponsored willingness-to-serve solicitation, and the Dean of Studies or a representative of the Dean of Studies Office. The CC chair and FEC will make an effort to solicit candidates for the SDMS from across the major academic divisions of the college -- Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Science and Pre-Professional programs. If an insufficient number of candidates are generated by the willingness to serve process, the Chair of the CC, in conjunction with FEC, will seek out and appoint willing faculty members. The Chair of the SDMS will be one of the three faculty members, and will serve for a two-year rotating term, preferably in the second and third year of their service.

2008 Linda Hall, English
2010 Joshua Ness, Biology
2011 Anthony Holland, Music
  Michael Marx, English, Curriculum Committee Rep                                                  
  Michael Ennis-McMillan, Dean of Studies

2006-2007

Membership: The SDMS is composed of five members. One faculty representative from the Curriculum Committee; three faculty representatives serving four-year staggered terms, who are appointed by the CC chair each spring for the following academic year from a list generated by a FEC-sponsored willingness-to-serve solicitation, and the Dean of Studies or a representative of the Dean of Studies Office. The CC chair and FEC will make an effort to solicit candidates for the SDMS from across the major academic divisions of the college -- Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Science and Pre-Professional programs. If an insufficient number of candidates are generated by the willingness to serve process, the Chair of the CC, in conjunction with FEC, will seek out and appoint willing faculty members. The Chair of the SDMS will be one of the three faculty members, and will serve for a two-year rotating term, preferably in the second and third year of their service.

2008 Linda Hall, English (leave S'07)
  Susan Belden, Management & Business (S'07 replacement for Hall)               
2010 Joshua Ness, Biology
2007 Roy Rotheim, Economics, Chair
  Monica Raveret-Richter, Curriculum Committee Rep
  Michael Ennis-McMillan, Dean of Studies

2005-2006

  Steve Frey, Chemistry
  Ben Givan, Music
    Linda Hall, English
  Roy Rotheim, Economics, Chair
  Michael Marx, Curriculum Committee Rep
  Grace Burton, Interim Dean of Studies

2004-2005

  Steve Frey, Chemistry
  Joe Hodge, History (on leave F'04)
  Michael Marx, English
  TBA-Dean of Studies
     Paty Rubio, Foreign Languages & Literatures, Chair
  Margo Mensing, Art & Art History

2003-2004

  Steve Frey, Chemistry
  Joe Hodge, History
  Michael Marx, English
  Jon Ramsey, Dean of Studies
     Paty Rubio, Foreign Languages & Literatures, Chair
  Margo Mensing, Art & Art History

2002-2003

   Steve Frey, Chemistry & Physics
       Joseph Hodge, History (CC Rep & replacement for C. Freeman-Gallant 02-03)
  Michael Marx, English
  Jon Ramsey, Dean of Studies
  Roy Rotheim, Economics, Chair
  Margo Mensing, Art & Art History