Lassonde added that in turn, Pacelli was “critical” to his transition to Harvard after he arrived in the spring from Brown, where he had previously served as its deputy dean of the college.

At Bowdoin, her alma mater, Pacelli will join the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs and lead a team of offices for student wellness, she wrote in an email. Prior to coming to Harvard, Pacelli had previously served as the director of residential life at the liberal arts college, which is located in Brunswick, Maine.

“Bowdoin is a place that is near to my heart,” Pacelli wrote. “My family and I have strong roots in Maine and we are excited to be returning.”

Reflecting on her time at the College, Pacelli wrote that she would miss “all the wonderful people that make Harvard such a special place.”

“I have truly appreciated the opportunity to take a leadership role in supporting Harvard's Houses, which are truly remarkable among college residential systems, and I know that colleagues at Bowdoin are looking forward to learning more about how things work here,” she wrote.

—Staff writer Madeline R. Conway can be reached at mconway@college.harvard.edu. Follow her on Twitter @MadelineRConway.