At the forefront of Saybrook is the Head of College (HoC). In the role as chief administrative officer, the HoC sets the college’s intellectual and cultural tone, just as they are responsible for students’ physical safety and well-being. Together with the Associate Head of College, the HoC oversees and cultivates the college’s social life, hosting study breaks, Saybrook Teas, trips, and other events. The HoC and Associate Head of College live amidst the students in the Saybrook “Biggs House” where many events are coordinated.
The Assistant Director of Operations ensures the smooth functioning of the college. In addition to coordinating its events and maintaining its facilities, the AD oversees the college’s finances, serves as a liaison between the college and the business office, and supervises special projects.
Supporting the Head of College is the senior administrative assistant, who handles the day-to-day business in the Saybrook Office. While coordinating with the staff in staging the college’s events, the senior AA works especially closely with students and the SCC in support of their many activities.
The Saybrook Aides staff the front desk of the Saybrook office and help students and visitors with the million questions they bring to the office. The aides can help with reserving a room, getting keys, signing out a DVD or board game, or registering a party.
Head of College David Vasseur
Professor and Chair in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
Dr. Vasseur earned a B.Sc. in Biological Sciences from the University of Guelph (Canada) in 1999 and followed with an M.Sc. at the same institution in 2002. From there he went on to earn a Ph.D. in Theoretical Ecology from McGill University in 2006 and spent two years as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Calgary prior to arriving at Yale in 2008. Dr. Vasseur joined the fellowship of Saybrook college in his first year at Yale.
Dr. Vasseur’s research addresses foundational questions in ecology and evolutionary biology focusing on how variation shapes the dynamics, persistence, and coexistence of species. Much as classical physics is grounded by theories governing mechanics and thermodynamics, ecology and evolutionary biology are collectively guided by mathematical theory describing how organisms, populations and communities change over time. Much of Dr. Vasseur’s research takes place in a virtual space, using mathematical models and computer simulations to recreate, experiment with, and forecast how ecological systems respond to warmer and more variable climates. As a vital bridge between theory and the natural world, Dr. Vasseur also conducts laboratory experiments using single-celled organisms, including ciliated protists and algae, constructing complex ecosystems under controlled conditions to test hypotheses about ecological responses to environmental change. You can learn more about Dr. Vasseur’s research program at vasseurlab.yale.edu.
Dr. Vasseur grew up in a rural area near Hamilton, Ontario, and true to his Canadian roots, he is an avid hockey fan. You’ll often see him at Ingalls Rink cheering on the Bulldogs and he regularly takes in NHL games when his hometown team, the Toronto Maple Leafs visit the area. Dr. Vasseur played collegiate football in Canada and joined the Canadian Ski Patrol while in graduate school (along with his wife, Associate Head of College, Chaundra Vasseur) as a means to afford one of their many shared passions, alpine skiing. Dr. Vasseur is also an avid indoor rower – a sport he picked up after watching his two oldest children row for their high-school team.
Associate Head of College Chaundra Vasseur
Mrs. Vasseur is originally from Mississauga, Ontario, and has a Bachelor’s degree in child development from the University of Guelph and a Bachelor of Education from Brock University. She holds specialist certificates in both special education and in teaching English as a second language and has served as an elementary school math coach. As an elementary school educator for the past 26 years, she has taught students from kindergarten through sixth grade. She is currently the 5th grade head teacher at St. Thomas’s Day School in New Haven. She joined the fellowship of Saybrook fellowship in 2025.
Mrs. Vasseur is passionate about teaching, travel, skiing, and supporting students and families as they navigate educational transitions. Also an avid runner, she is currently on a quest to run a road race in every one of Connecticut’s 169 towns. Living with David and Chaundra Vasseur in Saybrook College will be their youngest son Greyson, a sophomore at Hamden Hall Country Day School, their daughter Kaelin, a freshman at McGill University studying political and environmental sciences, their oldest son Matthew who is studying Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering at Queen’s University, and Cooper, their eight-year-old Australian Labradoodle.
Assistant Director of Operations, Saybrook College
Kristin Butler joined Saybrook College on August 1 as its new Operations Manager. Kristin started at Yale in 2011 and comes to Yale College from Hospitality; her previous position was in Berkeley as a Guest Experience Manager. Kristin is thrilled to be part of the Saybrook Community.
You can reach her by phone at 203-432-0532, or by e-mail.
