About the Senior Dean

Adela Penagos is the dean of the senior class and associate dean of the college for advising and mentoring. She oversees the Class Deans Office, the Smith's Connectors Program, and the Administrative Board, serves as the Chair of the Subcommittee on Honors and Independent Programs (SHIP), and advises the Academic Honor Board. Furthermore, she is committed to creating strong relationships with faculty, and Smith Centers, and collaborates regularly with cross-campus partners to integrate Smithies' curricular and co-curricular experiences. She also serves on the Fellowships Committee. Dean Penagos has extensive advising and teaching experience at Boston College, MIT, Harvard, the University of Notre Dame, and the US Naval Academy. She holds a bachelor’s from Knox College, a master’s from the University of Notre Dame, and a doctorate from Boston University.

Dean Penagos grew up in Córdoba, Veracruz (Mexico), and has lived and studied in France and the United States. She is a citizen of Mexico, Italy, and the United States. Her favorite country is Ireland; however, she is a Bostonian at heart. Her hobbies include traveling, engaging in meaningful conversations, reading, studying world languages and literature, writing, walking, and swimming. Her favorite spots on campus are Neilson Library and Paradise Pond.