Meet the OPAL Deans and Advisors

OPAL Assistant Deans provide direction, leadership, and advising to one or more affinity communities or areas of oversight that fall under the OPAL umbrella. This is accomplished through the primary responsibilities:

• Advising and Mentoring,
• Program Direction and Staff Supervision
• Advocacy
• Consultation and Intentional Collaborations

Additionally, each OPAL Assistant Dean supports the office's core functions by working collaboratively to provide leadership development and anchors of support to under-represented and/or marginalized students.

We are excited to announce that Gary Sund and Dr. Mishka Murad will be joining the OPAL team as temporary OPAL Advisors for the 23W and 23S terms. 
 

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Gary Sund (he/him) has been at Dartmouth College for over three years as the Deputy Title IX Coordinator in the Division of Institutional Diversity and Equity.  He is excited about the opportunity to support students in a different capacity as an OPAL Advisor!     
 
Gary brings over 20 years of experience working with young people as a social worker and educational counselor to the Advisor role.  His life experience as a first-generation college student and a gay man informs how he connects with others and helps them to identify and achieve their goals.  Gary is passionate about ensuring that Dartmouth students have access to resources and support that may benefit them while at Dartmouth.    
 
Gary enjoys reading fiction novels, cooking, and playing games when he is not at work. He is a fan of all the streaming apps but finds that he is drawn to shows that make him laugh, and he will watch the same thing repeatedly. Gary loves spending time with his friends and family. He hopes this is the year he finally takes advantage of some of the outside activities afforded to those in the Upper Valley. He is an avid supporter and activist for the LGBTQI+ community. His light and comical demeanor make him approachable and easy to work with. 
 
Gary is excited to assist OPAL and be a resource and support for Dartmouth students.     
 

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Originally from Pakistan, Dr. Mishka Murad has an undergraduate degree in Gender Studies and Anthropology, a Master's degree in Philosophy, and a PhD in International Education.

Dr. Murad has teaching and advising experience in experience in Pakistan, Thailand, Mexico and the US. Dr. Murad has worked extensively with diverse student populations in diverse countries, and her passion lies in advocating for minoritized student populations, while also centering the ways in which they can reclaim their power and their voices to advocate for themselves in ways that feel safe and meaningful. She hopes to work with students to allow them to imagine and create a college experience is aligned with their authentic selves, and their personal definitions of success.

When she's not working, Dr. Murad enjoys CrossFit, hiking with her two dogs, traveling, trying new cuisines, and watching way too many true crime documentaries.

Dean Amanda Wong (she/her)

• International Student Advising & Women and Gender Student Advising
• Email: amanda.wong@dartmouth.edu
• Schedule a meeting through Calendly: http://calendly.com/deanwong

Advisor Gary Sund (he/him)

•  Drop-in hours on Tuesdays, 5:30 - 7:30PM in Collis 211C
•  Schedule a meeting: https://calendly.com/gary_sund/advising-appointment

Dr. Mishka Murad (she/her)

•  Drop-in hours on Thursdays, 2:15 - 4:30pm in Collis 211C
•  Schedule a meeting: https://calendly.com/drmishkamurad