Dean facts for kids

A dean is an important leader in a church or a college. This person usually helps manage things and looks after people.

In the past, many old colleges were run by priests. In England, you even had to be part of the Church of England to be a student! Back then, a Dean was a senior person who managed the college's people and money. Today, the role of a Dean is still very important, but it has two main parts:

What is a Church Dean?

A Dean in a church is a priest who leads a group called the Chapter of a cathedral. This group meets in a special room called a chapter house. The Dean is in charge of running the cathedral and all its activities. Sometimes, a church Dean is also the local parish priest, which means they also look after the people in that area. This role is sometimes called a Rector.

What is a College Dean?

A Dean in a college is an official who helps run an educational college. Sometimes, they are the main leader of the college, and sometimes they are not. In today's colleges and universities, a Dean might be in charge of student rules and discipline. They could also be the head of a specific department, like the "Dean of Science" or the "Dean of Arts," which is called a Faculty.

See also

In Spanish: Dean para niños