Bennington College Names R. Danielle Egan as 12th President

Egan arrives at Bennington with a multi-disciplinary background that spans three decades. Beyond her administrative tenure as Dean of the Faculty and Chief Academic Officer at Connecticut College, she is a recognized scholar whose work focuses on the social construction of sexuality and gender politics. Her academic credentials include a PhD in sociology from Boston College and a PsyaD in clinical psychoanalysis, a dual expertise she intends to integrate into her leadership style.

Nicholas A. Stephens, chair of the Board of Trustees, described the appointment as a strategic move for the college, citing Egan’s intellectual depth and ability to foster consensus among faculty and students. During her time at Connecticut College, she oversaw curriculum restructuring, budgeting, and faculty professional development initiatives. As she prepares to transition to Vermont, Egan has emphasized that her immediate priority will be a listening tour with the campus community to align on a shared vision for the institution’s future.