first dean of students

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first dean of students" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the inaugural person who held the position of dean of students at an educational institution. Example: "Dr. Smith was appointed as the first dean of students at the newly established university, paving the way for student support services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr. Watson returned to Harvard in 1946 as an associate dean, becoming the college's first dean of students in 1958.

The New York Times

The Yeshiva University family is saddened by the passing of the first Dean of Students at its Stern College for Women.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Mr. Lindgren was its first dean of dance, from 1965 to 1987.

The New York Times - Arts

The next year he became its first dean of dance.

The New York Times - Arts

The school plans to expand to eighth grade, but Barbara Levine, dean of students, said it did not need another full-time instructor.

The New York Times

The actual Ramblin' Wreck is a 1930 Ford Model A Sports Coupe first acquired by then-associate dean of students James E. Dull, in 1961.

Wikipedia

On Jan . 16 UNC alumna Annie Clark, UNC students Landen Gambill and Andrea Pino, a fourth unnamed woman and former associate dean of students Melinda Manning filed a complaint against the university with the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights, alleging discrimination against victims of sexual violence and their advocates.

Huffington Post

Ms. Gross, the dean of students, said the first class of Mountaineer Scholars, who started last year, had a 94 percent retention rate and includes several students with high grades.

The New York Times

If a committee of honor code office counselors recommends that Davies should be suspended or dismissed from B.Y.U., a second review will be conducted by the dean of students.

The New York Times - Sports

Reaction to the piece in Chicago focused on a second-act monologue delivered by the central character, Sarah Daniels, the dean of students.

The New York Times

After a brusque exchange where Heard was asked to produce her identification, she says she headed to the second floor, where she was greeted by another security officer and then Orlando Bogins, the school's dean of students.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to the "first dean of students", ensure that the context clearly indicates the specific institution or organization being discussed to avoid ambiguity. Providing the year of appointment can further clarify the reference.

Common error

Avoid assuming that the "first dean of students" is inherently more important or influential than subsequent deans. Their role might have been foundational, but later deans may have had a greater impact due to evolving circumstances or policy changes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first dean of students" functions as a noun phrase, specifically identifying the individual who initially held the position of dean of students at an institution. This phrase serves to specify a particular person within a historical or organizational context. Ludwig confirms this usage through its examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first dean of students" is a noun phrase used to identify the individual who initially held the position of dean of students, frequently found in news and media contexts. While grammatically correct, Ludwig identifies its frequency as rare, indicating it's not an everyday expression. When using this phrase, clarity regarding the specific institution is vital, and it's important not to overstate the significance of the role simply because it was the first. Alternatives include "inaugural dean of students" or "founding dean of students". Ludwig AI affirms the correctness and usability of this phrase in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Inaugural dean of students

Replaces "first" with "inaugural", emphasizing the beginning or initiation of the deanship.

Founding dean of students

Substitutes "first" with "founding", highlighting the role in establishing the deanship.

Initial dean of students

Uses "initial" instead of "first", focusing on the commencement of the role.

Premier dean of students

Replaces "first" with "premier", suggesting prominence or leading status.

Original dean of students

Employs "original" in place of "first", indicating the beginning or source.

Pioneering dean of students

Replaces "first" with "pioneering", emphasizing innovation or being the first to do something.

The dean who first held the position of student affairs

Rephrases the entire phrase to focus on the individual and their historical significance.

First holder of the deanship for students

This alternative reorders the structure and use synonyms for a different emphasis.

Dean of students, first appointed

Reorders the phrase for emphasis, focusing on the act of being appointed.

Beginning dean of students

Replaces "first" with "beginning", less formal and slightly less common.

FAQs

How do I use "first dean of students" in a sentence?

You can use "first dean of students" to refer to the person who initially held the position at an institution. For example, "Robert Watson became the "first dean of students" at Harvard College in 1958."

What's another way to say "first dean of students"?

Alternatives to "first dean of students" include "inaugural dean of students", "founding dean of students", or "initial dean of students".

Is it always necessary to specify someone as the "first dean of students"?

No, it's not always necessary. Only specify someone as the "first dean of students" if that fact is relevant to the context. For example, it might be important when discussing the history or evolution of student services at an institution.

What responsibilities might the "first dean of students" have had?

The responsibilities of the "first dean of students" likely included establishing policies and procedures for student conduct, creating support services, and fostering a positive campus environment. These responsibilities can vary depending on the institution.