Finding your way in a new academic environment can be tough at times, and it helps to have go-to people in place that you know will lend a hand, a supportive listening ear, and candy. Sometimes candy - especially the Student Affairs candy basket - is the answer.
The wonderful staff of the Office of Student Affairs are here to support YDS students in navigating their lives here at YDS. You will have many more opportunities to meet and engage with them in the weeks to come so, for now, a brief introduction:
Jeanne Peloso, Ph.D.
Dr. Peloso is the Acting Associate Dean of Student Affairs. She works collaboratively with faculty, staff and student leaders to enhance the personal, intellectual, social, and spiritual development of the diverse YDS student body.
Dr. Peloso provides leadership for all student life activities, including student counseling, student government, student organizations, and student activities.
Outside of YDS, Dr. Peloso spends time with her 12-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son.
Dwayne David Paul:
I am excited to return to YDS in a professional capacity, in a dynamic position that did not exist when I was a student (2008 – 2011). My work consists of three broad areas: To be present to, and provide mentorship for, historically underrepresented student groups; to help create programs that promote justice; and finally, to cultivate relationships between YDS and members of the Greater New Haven area centered on mutual recognition. I am here to build community, and to contribute to the success of all our students. Please do not be shy!
For my own wellbeing, I love to travel and cook for friends and loved ones. I hope to break bread with all of you at some point, as I most readily make community around the table. Since returning to New Haven, I have also taken up martial arts, which has been an exercise in humility. Setting aside the occasionally bruised ego or body part, it has been such a fun way to stay active.
I was raised in Saint Matthews Catholic Church, a tri-lingual – Haitian Kreyol, Spanish, and English – Caribbean and African American community in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn. That community and its interests continues to shape my worldview.
Pamela E. Bloomfield
Hello everyone,
What an honor to introduce myself to you. I am Pamela E. Bloomfield, Student Services Coordinator.
Welcome to Yale Divinity School! The countdown has begun and I eagerly await the privilege to meet and welcome everyone in person to the YDS campus. I began working at YDS in April 2016. I embraced the opportunity to continue to positively foster a sense of community and belonging among students, provide guidance and support to student group leaders and to ensure awareness of the available resources that would enhance student and community life.
During your time here, you will discover there is a vast array of resources available at YDS and in the community. I challenge you to make the time to explore these resources across the Yale campus and in the surrounding communities. Do you love pizza? Do you love Caribbean food or never had it? And if you haven’t surely something is missing! Arrange with a classmate to check out the downtown restaurants and other locales. Commit to learning a new spot at least once a month. Get to know your new home away from home.
My role in a nutshell also allows me to connect student groups and their leaders to resources both on and off campus, event planning for your student group, budgeting and negotiating with vendors.
Here’s a snippet about me. I am originally from the breathtaking island of Jamaica, married with two adult children. My hobbies include writing, (currently writing a book), traveling and spending time with my internationally-scattered family. My passion lies in the areas of counseling, mentoring, education and psychology. Hence, I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Masters of Education degree.
Stop by the Office of Student Affairs, located in the YDS North wing on the first floor of Seabury. My number is 203-432-5314. Email pamela.bloomfield@yale.edu.
“We are at the very beginning of time for the human race. It is not unreasonable that we grapple with problems. But there are tens of thousands of years in the future. Our responsibility is to do what we can, learn what we can, improve the solutions, and pass them on”. Richard Feynman