Nahal Kaivan

Background

About Nahal Kaivan

As the First Year Dean and Director of First Year Experience (FYE) at Sarah Lawrence College, I oversee the academic and co-curricular support for incoming students, ensuring their successful transition and retention. With over 7 years of experience in higher education, I bring a unique blend of skills and credentials as a Licensed Psychologist, a program manager, a learning development architect, and a proven change agent. My core mission is to foster a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) across the campus and beyond. I leverage my expertise in counseling psychology, curriculum design, and staff development to create and implement innovative initiatives that empower historically minoritized students, promote holistic wellness, and cultivate community engagement. Some of my recent accomplishments include leading the SPIRE Fellows Program at Duke University, a STEM retention program for underrepresented students, and embedding DEIB principles into the courses I teach at Washington State University. I am passionate about nurturing cultures of compassion, where every individual feels authentically seen, heard, and valued.