What Babson’s Deans Are Most Looking Forward to This Academic Year

August 31, 2026

Students talk at a table an an orientation event

As undergraduate and graduate courses begin this week and next, we asked four deans at Babson College what they are most excited about this academic year. (Photo: Nic Czarnecki/Babson College)

Listen

From new discoveries and new connections to a vibrant campus and dynamic opportunities, there’s a lot to look forward to this year.

With undergraduate courses beginning this week and graduate courses starting next week, we turned to four deans of Babson College—Poonam Arora, dean of the undergraduate school and a marketing professor; Caitlin Capozzi, vice president for learner success and dean of campus life; Kate Klepper, dean of the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business; and Donna Stoddard, dean of faculty—and asked, “What are you are most looking forward to this year?”

Here is what has them excited as the new academic year begins:

Taking Thoughtful Chances

Poonam Arora, dean of the undergraduate school and a marketing professor:

“This is my first year at Babson, and I am thrilled to be part of all of it. What moves me most is when students take a thoughtful chance on something they were not sure about and walk away genuinely surprised by what they learned about themselves. I call that the Babson lived experience, and I am excited for it to unfold in and out of classrooms, on and off campus.”

New Connections, Fresh Ideas

Caitlin Capozzi, vice president for learner success and dean of campus life:

“What I love most about my time at Babson is that no year is ever predictable. Each year, our students return to campus with renewed energy and fresh ideas. I am looking forward to seeing what students create through their coursework, clubs and organizations, and leadership roles that enhance the Babson experience and make our community special. Watching students make new connections and deepen existing ones over a meal at Trim or collaborating on group work in the Herring Family Entrepreneurial Leadership Village is so rewarding.”

The Energy of Campus Life

Kate Klepper, dean of Babson’s F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business:

“I look forward to students being on campus, the cafe opening up again, the informal meetings of people, the hallway conversations, the walking across campus, just that energy and life that comes with people who are coming here, who are excited to be here, who are bringing their openness to learning from each other and from our faculty. I love all of that. I’m a big, huge fan of back to school.”

Pursuing Academic and Career Goals

Donna Stoddard, dean of faculty and professor in the Operations and Information Management Division:

“The faculty and I are very excited to welcome our students back to campus and to work with them as they pursue their education and career goals. This will be an exciting year for our students as they grow and pursue their college and graduate school experiences.”