# Nekesa Straker, Ed.D Senior Assistant Dean of Residential Life and First-Year Students ![Nekesa C. Straker portrait](/sites/g/files/omnuum7076/files/styles/hwp_4_5__480x600/public/dso/files/nekesastraker_-_new_2024_headshot.jpg?itok=7jfP9wCl) location\_on 6 Prescott Street smartphone [(617) 495-1574]() email [nekesa\_straker@fas.harvard.edu](mailto:nekesa_straker@fas.harvard.edu) In my role as the Senior Assistant Dean of Residential Life and First-Year Students or Dean of First-Year Students, I am responsible for leading the First-Year Experience (FYE) office, which includes overseeing residential life initiatives to help orient and support students during their first year at Harvard, supervising the Resident Deans of First-Year Students, and training proctors and residential staff. I also partner with a number of other offices including serving as a member of the Administrative Board and planning and implementing orientation. I began working at Harvard in June 2019 and prior to that, I worked at Boston College, DePaul University, and New York University. I earned a doctoral degree in Higher Education Leadership from Regis College, master’s in Student Development Administration from Seattle University and a bachelor’s in Political Science from Vassar College. I am also a proud Brearley School and Prep for Prep alum! In my spare time, I enjoy international travel, Peloton, cooking, and being on the Board of Trustees for The Aloha Foundation and The Brearley School. - ## Area [Residential Life](/programareaoffice-type/housing-and-residential-life) [First-Year Experience](/programareaoffice-type/first-year-experience) - ## Role [Central](/people-type/staff-0) [Leadership Team](/role/leadership-team)