Vassar’s Associate Dean Teresa Garrett named dean of the College at Sweet Briar

Fletcher Hall houses the dean’s office on the first floor and the president’s office on the second floor. It is also home to the English and creative writing program.


Sweet Briar College president Meredith Woo announced today that Teresa Garrett will begin on Aug. 1 as vice president of academic affairs and dean of the College. Since 2007, Garrett has been at Vassar College, ranked number 11 among national liberal arts colleges, where she began as an assistant professor of chemistry. She received tenure in 2013 and was promoted to full professor in 2017, before most recently serving as associate dean.

“Garrett has earned outstanding accolades as a teacher, researcher and leader,” Woo commented. “Her experiences at Vassar, including helping shepherd a rebalancing of the curriculum throughout a two-year planning and implementation process, have uniquely equipped her to lead Sweet Briar’s academic innovation to the next level.”


Teresa Garrett


Garrett said she looks forward to bringing her expertise to Virginia. “I am excited to join the Sweet Briar community and work with the committed faculty, students and administrators to move the College into the future. The opportunity to play a part shaping the future of such a special place is an honor.”

Garrett graduated summa cum laude and with honors in biochemistry from Florida State University and earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry at Duke University. She has published or co-published three dozen journal articles and is responsible for more than $2.5 million in grant-funded research. She has served as a reviewer for the National Science Foundation and for numerous academic journals.

In addition to her important academic work, she has had myriad administrative accomplishments at Vassar. As chair of the Assessment Committee, she spearheaded the development of a comprehensive learning outcomes assessment program. As associate dean, she managed a broad portfolio, including chairing the self-study for Vassar’s Middle States Reaccreditation effort, developing academic policies and supporting the grants office.

“I have called on Professor Garrett often for sound advice, and she has been fearless in tackling difficult challenges and committed to improving student and faculty experiences at Vassar. Sweet Briar College is fortunate to have her as its next dean, and she will be deeply missed here,” Elizabeth H. Bradley, president of Vassar College, said.

For more information, contact the dean’s office at deansoffice@sbc.edu or 434-381-6205.