Dean & SMFA Leadership Team

SMFA is part of Tufts University’s School of Arts and Sciences, which offers more than 70 undergraduate and 60 graduate programs spanning 40+ departments and programs. Our leadership team is a diverse, talented group of educators and administrators committed to advancing the study of art.

Scheri Fultineer

Scheri Fultineer, Dean of SMFA at Tufts

As dean of SMFA at Tufts, Scheri oversees all operations at the school. She works closely with faculty and staff across the university to forge curricular and co-curricular connections between and among artists and other academic practitioners.

Alyssa Baker, Student Life

Alyssa coordinates student resources, support, and programming for SMFA undergraduate and graduate students. She also assists SMFA students with the Medical Leave and Student Conduct Resolution Procedure, and advises students on issues related to their artistic, intellectual, and co-curricular development.

Carolyn Colonna, Continuing Education

Carolyn manages the SMFA continuing education program.

Terre Daly, Administration & Finance

Terre has been a member of the Tufts University community for 35 years and oversees SMFA at Tufts' financials and supports its administrative needs.

Caleb Davis

Caleb Davis, Administration & Operations

Caleb oversees all non-academic operations at SMFA at Tufts working closely with the larger university’s operations group.

Thomas Duncan

Thomas Duncan, Admissions

Thomas oversees undergraduate and graduate admissions at SMFA at Tufts.

Kelly Fantegrossi, Development and Alumni Engagement

Kelly is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to engage those with an interest in supporting SMFA at Tufts – through alumni engagement, annual fund gifts, capital and endowment support, and the SMFA Art Sale.

Leah Gadd

Leah Gadd, Undergraduate Advising

Leah oversees the academic progress of undergraduate students pursuing the BFA degree, and advises students pursuing the Combined Degree on the BFA portion of their studies.

Meredith Giesta

Meredith Giesta, Marketing

Meredith provides marketing and strategy support to increase brand awareness and enrollment for SMFA at Tufts.

Nate Harrison

Nate Harrison, Dean of Academic Affairs

As dean of academic affairs, Nate works closely with Dean Fultineer to oversee the school's academic operations. He is also a Professor of the Practice as well as an artist and writer working at the intersection of intellectual property, cultural production, and the formation of creative processes in modern media.

Matt King

Matt King, Fine Arts Studios

Matt manages the SMFA studio managers, studio facilities, and associated technology.

Darin Murphy

Darin Murphy, W. Van Alan Clark, Jr. Library

Darin manages the staff, special collections, and programming at the SMFA library.

Ariana Shirzadi

Ariana Shirzadi, Communications

Ariana leads communications efforts for SMFA managing the website, social media channels, and editorial and coordinates public relations.

Kenson Truong, MFA Program Administration

Kenson advises MFA students on their academic schedules and in navigating their overall experience at Tufts. He also manages the travel grants for the MFA program and assists the cohorts with special projects.

Laurel Hoffer

Laurel Wero, Academic and Curricular Administration

Laurel oversees all academic and curricular policies and processes in close collaboration with the dean of the school and the dean of faculty.

Program Directors

Karmimadeebora McMillan

Karmimadeebora McMillan, Post-Baccalaureate Program

Karmimadeebora is the Director of the Post-Baccalaureate Program and a Part-time lecturer in Drawing and Painting.

Laurel Nakadate

Laurel Nakadate, MFA Program

Laurel is the Graduate Program Director and a Professor of the Practice in Photography, Film and Video, and Performance.