What is a Dean?

All students have two deans, an academic dean (e.g., Dean of the College of Letters and Science) and the Dean of Students.

Academic Deans. Academic deans oversee academic matters within their School or College. Each school and college has a dean, associate dean(s), and assistant dean(s). They oversee academic departments and their processes, which includes complaints about instructors, appeals related to courses or grades, and requests for exceptions to their program of study.  The Academic Deans also oversee the “Dean’s List” of students who’ve earned recognition related to a high grade point average.  To see your Dean, go to https://uwm.edu/academicaffairs/facultystaff/campus-contacts/.

Dean of Students. The Dean of Students oversees an office that includes several staff (associate deans, coordinators, and case managers) who support students’ overall academic and personal success. Specifically, the Dean of Students Office oversees the campus non-academic and academic misconduct processes. The Dean of Students also helps students navigate challenges such as personal crises, emergencies, unanticipated financial challenges, and other unusual situations. The Dean of Students Office also helps students who would like to submit a complaint or concern by sharing processes and options.