Meet the Staff

Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Student Programs

Alicia Erwin

Alicia supports the breadth of opportunities, programs, and resources provided by the Office of Student Programs. She supervises the office's five staff members, and as Assistant Dean represents student feedback, concerns, and ideas to the Student Life Deans. She advises the Student Government Association and the Senior Class Board as well as over-sighting recognized student organization practice and policy - including the SGA Student Business Office, Blanchard Campus Center and Chapin Auditorium, office programmatic initiatives, and co-curricular opportunities. She also collaborates with the staff team in implementing community-wide events.

Alicia arrived at Mount Holyoke in fall 2015, having worked at New York University's School of Engineering, where she served as the Director of Student Activities and Resource Center. Before that she worked at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as Assistant Director for Student Activities and Leadership. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience from the College of William and Mary, and her Master's of Education in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of South Carolina.

Assistant Director for Student Programs and Leadership

Ivonne Ramirez

Ivonne supports all established student organizations needing development guidance, as well as individual students seeking to start a new organization on campus. In addition, she serves as the advisor to the First Year Class Board and SGA Committees such as Ways & Means, All Campus Elections, Student Conference Committee, and the Appointing Board. She is available to assist in group organization, leadership training, conflict resolution, and more.

Ivonne collaborates with the staff team in the production and promotion of major campus events sponsored by Student Programs, and coordinates with offices across campus such as the Weissman Center for Leadership, Career Development Center, and the rest of the Student Life team to implement leadership development opportunities available to all students, such as LeaderShops.

Ivonne joined Student Programs in July of 2016. Prior to Mount Holyoke College, she worked in the nonprofit sector developing leadership opportunities and trainings for women as well as in the university setting serving as a sexual violence prevention and education coordinator. She earned her Bachelor's degrees in Latin American Studies and Spanish from American University, and her Master's degree in Human Development and Education with a focus in Student Affairs from George Washington University.

Senior Administrative Assistant and Office Manager

Jaime DeCaro Birk

Jaime manages the daily operations and services of the office, including the hiring, supervision and ongoing training of the student employee Office and Blanchard Information Desk staff.

Jaime is responsible for office purchasing and record keeping, maintaining office and student organization databases, office communications such as the weekly Word Out! e-newsletter, managing the Campus Center vendor program, and maintaining the office Web site. Jaime is also a core member of the Family and Friends Weekend Committee, helping to plan, coordinate and staff weekend programs. Additionally, Jaime serves on the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Committee, the Student Employment Advisory Committee, and is a former Staff Council member.

Jaime joined the Mount Holyoke College community in August 2009. Prior to her arrival, she worked in the corporate world doing marketing for two engineering firms. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Community Studies (Anthropology) from UMass Boston. When not working, Jaime can usually be found playing with her rambunctious four year-old daughter; when she actually has "free time", she enjoys reading, crafting, spending time with friends, and assorted geekery - including but not limited to: fantasy & sci fi movies, TV, books, and all manner of gaming.

Student Event & Special Programs Coordinator

Riley Fickett

Riley mentors student event hosts in the details of event staffing and serves on our team as an on-site supervisor for large student events. She also serves as the advisor for The Network - Mount Holyoke's Programming Board - and the Sophomore and Junior Class Boards. Additionally, she is responsible for key planning and implementation of several of our signature all-campus events including No Study Zone, Pangy Day, January Intersession Social Events, Bus Trips, Fall Fest, and special programming in the Blanchard Campus Center. 

Riley came to Mount Holyoke in July 2015 after completing her Master of Education degree in Student Affairs Counseling at Bridgewater State University. While in graduate school, she served as the Graduate Assistant for Programming in the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership at BSU, as both the Summer Orientation Programming Coordinator and Summer Orientation Residential Coordinator in the Office of New Student and Family Programs at BSU, as the Graduate Intern for the Office of Student Leadership and Programming at Clark University, and as a Resident Director in the Office of Residence Life at Dean College. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication & Creative Advertising from Lasell College.

Technical Director / Production Manager

Tim Dietrick

As Technical Director, Tim oversees the operation and function of the two largest venues on campus: Blanchard Campus Center and Chapin Auditorium. He is also the Chief Operator of WMHC, managing the needs of the college's historic radio station. Tim works in tandem with the rest of the Student Programs office to advise and focus student ideas into reality-based events of any size.  

Tim provides technical guidance in the necessary areas of production to help create experiences for the campus. He supervises the student Stage Crew, staffing and supporting the various events in the community. He is often the liaison between different areas of the campus, and the point of contact for outside vendors and artists coming to the college.

 

Kim Lavoie

SGA Student Business Office Coordinator

Kimberly Lavoie

Kim serves as the coordinator of the Student Business Office and Ways & Means Committee (funding board).  She is responsible for all operations, including supervising student staff bookkeepers.  She oversees the account management of distributed SGA funds, manages all transactions from student organization and residence hall accounts: making purchases, processing requests for payment, making deposits, etc., and provides student treasurer support and guidance.  She responds to inquires both in person and by telephone, with students and staff in regards to funding guidelines and account processes.   

Kim has recently joined Student Programs in August of 2016.  She has been a part of the Mt. Holyoke College community since 2012 working at the Willits-Hallowell Center where she worked at the front desk providing customer service.  She has also been a self-employed business owner/office manager working side by side with her husband for over 16 years.  When she is not working, she is a stay at home mother of two energetic young boys.  Some of her hobbies include interior decorating/design, painting, going on family bike rides and walks, hiking and skiing.  She thrives on meeting new people, going on new adventures and doing occasional thrill seeking activities, but mostly loves spending time with her family and friends.