Erica Siegel

About me

I was born in New York City and was raised in Arlington, Virginia, with the exception of four formative years spent in London, England. I joined Barnard in the summer of 2022 from the other side of Broadway, where I spent the bulk of my educational and professional life: I earned my B.A. at Columbia College, and my M.A. and Ph.D. at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, all in Slavic languages and literature. I have taught in Columbia’s Slavic Department and Core Curriculum, and I served for over a decade as an academic adviser and the Assistant Dean for Communications and Outreach at Columbia’s Berick Center for Student Advising.

I am a proud resident of Inwood, a Manhattan neighborhood located at its northernmost end. I enjoy reading, cooking, and being outdoors, no matter the weather. As long as my joints allow it, I am a dedicated runner. Above all, I love spending time with my husband, Mark, our sons, Leo and Zev, and our mini goldendoodle, Maple.

As the Dean of the First Year Class, I am delighted to welcome you to Barnard, to help you manage the transition to college life, and to brainstorm with you about what you will do with your time here. As Junior Class Dean alongside Dean Grabiner, I provide supplemental advising, as you work earnestly in your major with your faculty adviser. No matter your class year, I am delighted to join you in reflection and problem-solving , and to provide any advice and guidance you may require. I am also there to clarify academic policy, and to support you and refer you to appropriate campus resources if you experience an emergency or any other difficult extenuating circumstances. As Associate Dean for Academic Assistance, I oversee the Peer-to-Peer tutoring and Academic Coaching at Barnard, and I aim, more broadly, to help promote wellness and success among the student body.

You can see my availability and book me for an appointment here. Please don’t hesitate to do so, especially if something is on your mind, but also to simply introduce yourself and say hello. You may also visit the first year class blog and junior class blog for information throughout the year. I will update it regularly with information about deadlines, events, and opportunities.