Joyce Stern

Joyce Stern (she/her) has been working to support Grinnellians since 1999. Her role includes directing the college’s advising program, co-coordinating the Grinnell Science Project, the First-Year Tutorial (first-year seminar program), and Level Up (the college’s second-year program), and serving on the Committee on Academic Standing.  She believes that all Grinnell students come with the capability to be successful but sometimes encounter hurdles, so she leads a team that identifies and reaches out to students experiencing academic barriers to offer resources and assistance to get back on track. Joyce also supervises the College's assistant dean of student success, the learning specialist, and the program coordinator, all of whom are integral parts of the advising and student success team. 

Joyce has presented on topics related to advising, belongingness, the experiences of second-year students, and enhancing science to facilitate excellence for historically-marginalized students, at regional and national meetings such as NACADA, NASPA, and AAC&U. Always eager to share ideas and enhance support for all students, Joyce has served as part of an external review team to Lawrence University, Beloit College and Whitman College.

Joyce's early work in residence life and career development at Lawrence University, California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo, Scripps College, and Coe College prepared her to have a holistic view of the student experience.  On Campus she can sometimes be spotted on her scooter between meetings and events, swimming in the Bear, or doing yoga in the Museum.