The Role of Dean
The Dean is the chief academic officer of Pauli Murray College and a faculty member in Yale College. Residing within the college, he serves as the primary academic adviser to the students of Pauli Murray College; assists students in planning their courses of study and academic programs within the broader context of their Yale careers; and applies and enforces academic and undergraduate regulations and procedures. The Dean also oversees the First-Year Counselors and coordinates the College Advisers for first-year students. He teaches in Yale College, serves on a range of University committees, and with the Head of College, plans and participates in many college activities.
Dean Aaron King
Dean King brings over 15 years of experience supporting a range of college residential learning communities. Prior to Yale, his academic and professional journey has been filled with many colors (i.e., NYU Violets, Stanford Cardinal, Harvard Crimson, and Cornell Big Red) and animals, including a full Wizard of Oz journey (i.e., Mount Holyoke Lyons, Princeton Tigers, & Central Arkansas Bears) – oh my!
His broad research and professional interests are at the intersections of psychology and higher education, including identity development (multiracial and transracial adoptee experiences), intergroup dialogue, college access & belonging, and currently, identity disclosures exploring why and how we share our identity with others. Other experiences include driving tractors and hauling hay in Arkansas, running road 5Ks to 100-mile trail ultramarathons, coaching youth basketball, and making flaming onion volcanoes as a teppanyaki (aka hibachi) chef, which was one of his jobs in college.
Outside of work and the dining hall, you might catch Dean King playing pickup basketball, attending a lecture, running, thrift shopping, or with his family. He is excited to cheer (and participate as needed!) to keep the Tyng Cup in its Pauli Murray home. Dean King will be joined by his wife, Amanda, two young daughters, Avi (ah-vee) and G.G., and the most recent addition to the family, BearBear (@bearbear_king_), a black lab puppy.