The Dean of Students Office within the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering provides essential support structures to students and advances the school’s academic mission through an inclusive and student-centered approach. Overall, our mission is to support PME education from recruitment to graduation. We do so in collaboration with the faculty, with other PME administrative offices, and with the broader University community.
Services and responsibilities
The Dean of Students Office supports PME education from recruitment to graduation. Our responsibilities and services include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Managing graduate student enrollment;
- Administering graduate student funding;
- Serving as the stewards of PME student records;
- Working with students on issues of concern and well-being;
- Managing student disciplinary processes;
- Promoting PME student development beyond coursework and research;
- Organizing and hosting PME special events such as Convocation;
- Seeking generally to foster an inclusive, collaborative, and supportive learning environment.
Core values
The PME Dean of Students Office staff are growth-minded in working with students, faculty, and staff and are guided by the following core values.
- Integrity: We regularly evaluate and consider our work to make sure that it reflects the values that we articulate here, that we acknowledge the impact of our actions on others, and that we are accountable to ourselves and our community
- Equity: We maintain fairness and impartiality as the foundation of our interactions, practices, and policies
- Intentionality: Our work is goal-oriented and evidence-based
- Empowerment: We aim to foster the capacity for self-direction in students, faculty, and colleagues
- Collaboration: We believe that the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and resources advances our work and that of the broader PME
- Responsiveness: We strive to always respond in a thoughtful and timely manner with robust answers and/or appropriate referrals (typically within two business days)
Dean of Students Office staff
David Taylor
Dean of Students
davidtaylor@uchicago.edu
ACC 213
773.834.2057
David Taylor is generally responsible for student status changes (e.g., leaves of absence and graduation), academic and behavioral disciplinary issues management, and providing/coordinating support for students with disabilities and health difficulties. He also regularly meets with individual students to discuss academic opportunities, lab difficulties, and general well-being.
He is available to meet with students privately to address any concerns, questions, or issues that may arise during their time at UChicago. Students can schedule appointments with Dean Taylor by contacting him at davidtaylor@uchicago.edu.
Brett Stachler
Associate Dean of Students for Recruitment and Admissions
bstachler@uchicago.edu
ACC 214
773.702.1592
Brett collaborates with faculty to manage and organize the PME recruitment and admissions efforts and events. They also serve as a point of contact and resource for faculty and their support staff to UChicago and external stakeholders regarding the PME admissions and recruitment processes, policies, and procedures. Additionally, they provide 1:1 and group support to current students, and work with Dean of Students team members to develop a sense of community for current students in the PME. Students can schedule appointments with Brett through email or clicking this link.
Lillian M. Griffin
Assistant Dean of Students for Graduate Student Funding
lmcphear@uchicago.edu
ACC 116
773.834.4791
Lillian Griffin coordinates graduate student funding, advises on financial aid, and provides individual student advising and support.
Ozge Kocak Hemmat
Assistant Dean of Students for Registration and Data Management
kocakozge@uchicago.edu
ACC 116
773.834.4791
Ozge Kocak Hemmat supports the Office of the Dean of Students at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME). Her responsibilities include managing student records (academic progress, TA assignments), matriculation (onboarding, orientation, and training), graduation, data management, analysis, and reporting.
In addition, the Dean of Students office coordinates graduate student funding, oversees registration systems, coordinates PME’s quarterly graduation timelines and annual diploma ceremony, assists faculty with non-degree visiting student researchers, and provides individual student advising and support.
The PME Dean of Students staff are available in person, Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.