Dean

Dean (from the Late-Latin decanus, "chief of ten") is a title within the university that can have several different meanings, depending on the school or department in which the title is given. Historically, the title has been associated with academic oversight, such the dean of a particular school or the dean of students (who was originally responsible for the academic well-being of his students).

At Columbia, the title dean is used to refer to an upper-level administrator within a division who typically oversees a large area. Each school has the authority to modify the title to fit its own needs: Columbia College has a Dean of Academic Affairs in Kathryn Yatrakis in addition to several associate deans, such as Associate Dean of the Core Curriculum Roosevelt Montas; Engineering has several associate deans as well, such as an associate dean of advancement, but also has several vice-deans, which oversee the faculty and research at the school.