Sharon Stahl, associate dean in the College of Arts & Sciences, will leave her position as the Director of the Life Sciences Pre-Professional Program and head up Washington University’s new First Year Center.

The First Year Center, which aims to personally connect new students to the student body and to their curricula, has yet to see actual implementation as a University organization.

According to Stahl, who is departing from her position as a four-year adviser, the First Year Center will aim to acquaint students with their classmates, advisers and professors, especially those who share their personal interests. The center will also aim to help students establish relationships with fellow students in their residential colleges.

Though the center will coordinate Freshman Orientation, Stahl pointed out that it is not strictly committed to only freshmen.

“The vision for [the center] is directed at new students coming into the community,” she said. “Not just freshmen, but also transfer students. Our primary mission would be to serve students who are coming in and making the transition. But if we have students who are continuing to need us for one reason or another, we hope that we would continue to be available.”

Dean Henry Biggs, the current director for undergraduate research, will replace Stahl as director of the Life Sciences Program. Biggs believes the restructuring would cause few changes within the program itself.

“Sharon Stahl has done a fantastic job and I think it is desirable that we perform at the same level,” he said.

Biggs added, however, that there always remains room for improvement.

“I think there are technological and logistical things that we could work on,” he said. “For example, we’re trying to make setting up appointments a little easier for students by putting the process online instead of having students coming in and signing up.”

With her new responsibilities, Stahl will not continue to advise pre-medical students except for seniors currently completing applications to medical school. Her four-year advisees will also stay with her.

“I like my advisees a lot, and I didn’t want to give them up,” Stahl said. “I will have a smaller group, but I will continue to have students as advisees who come in each year as first year students but not as many.”

Evan Blank, a junior whom Stahl advises, noted the dean’s dedication.

“She’s done a great job. She knows how to make all the resources of Wash. U. work for the students,” Blank said. “I’m really happy I’m able to remain her four-year advisee.”

Likewise, Stahl says she has enjoyed working with her pre-medical student advisees.

“I’m a little bit sad to leave that great group of students who are committed in so many ways to this community and communities beyond us,” she said. “I’m looking forward to staying in touch, but I’ll have new challenges on my plate.”