Controversial Cabot Resident Dean Departs

Cabot House Allston-Burr Resident Dean Mya M. Mangawang will step down from her post this summer following a tenure that many students have characterized as polarizing.

Mangawang—who served as resident dean for only a year—announced her resignation in an e-mail to the Cabot list yesterday, writing that she leaves her job with “mixed emotions.”

“As your dean, I have attempted to model a way of being that practices and promotes critical thinking, active and respectful questioning, and honest exchange as essential personal and professional values,” Mangawang wrote.

She also wrote that her decision to step down reflected a commitment to these values, though she refused to comment further about the reasons for her departure.

Several Cabot students interviewed yesterday said they were disappointed with Mangawang’s performance as resident dean.

The students were granted anonymity after asking that their names not be published to protect their relationship with members of the House community.

One student said that Mangawang had exhibited “a mild unspoken distaste” for Cabot students during her time as dean.

And according to some, Mangawang’s strained interactions were not just confined to students.

One of the Cabot students, who is familiar with the dynamic between the two administrators, said that Mangawang and Susan Bourneuf—the long-time Cabot assistant to the resident dean—had a rocky relationship during Mangawang’s tenure as resident dean.

Bourneuf, who also plans to leave her post after this academic year, declined to comment on her relationship with Mangawang.

Bourneuf said she has accepted the administration’s retirement incentive package, which allowed staff members over 55 years of age with at least 10 years of service as of June 30 to voluntarily choose early retirement.

“Although I like working at Harvard, it seemed like a good offer that Harvard was giving us,” Bourneuf said.

Bourneuf said she is unsure about what the College plans to do with her position in the future.

“Mya has been a strong presence in the House and a forceful advocate for our students,” wrote Cabot House Master and Dean of Undergraduate Education Jay M. Harris in an e-mailed statement. “We are sorry that she is leaving, and we will miss her.”

Eric P. Newcomer contributed to the reporting of this story.

—Staff writer Lauren D. Kiel can be reached at lkiel@fas.harvard.edu.