Meredith Raimondo Appointed VP and Dean of Students

Meredith Raimondo has been appointed vice president and dean of students after filling the position on an interim basis since July 2016.

As dean of students, Raimondo will lead Oberlin’s division of student life that supports students by creating more seamless connections between curricular and cocurricular experiences, advising and mentoring focused on the development of life skills and interpersonal and personal growth, and building and bridging intellectual and personal communities. She previously served as special assistant to the president for equity, inclusion, and diversity and Title IX coordinator.

“Meredith has done a superb job as interim dean,” says Oberlin College President Marvin Krislov. “Because of her years as a professor, she has a deep connection to our faculty and to our students. There is a widespread feeling among all our stakeholders that Meredith is the best possible person for this job, and we're all thrilled she has agreed to do it.”

Raimondo joined the Oberlin community in 2003, as one of the professors in the newly formed Department of Comparative American Studies. She has taught courses spanning the themes of gender and sexuality, race and ethnicity studies, social justice, and HIV/AIDS. In 2014, she was recognized with an Excellence in Teaching Award and later that year was appointed special assistant to the president for diversity, equity, and inclusion and Title IX coordinator, a position for which she oversees institutional policy to ensure all students’ needs are being met under Title IX guidelines. She earned a bachelor of arts degree at Brown University and master’s and doctorate degrees at Emory University.

Politics major Thobeka Mnisi ’18 favors the selection of Raimondo as vice president and dean of students. “I strongly support the appointment of Dean Raimondo. For me, this past semester made apparent the need for brave leadership at Oberlin College. In my working with her, Dean Raimondo has demonstrated this bravery by constantly recognizing ways in which Oberlin can improve, rather than conveniently presenting a facade of greatness that isn't always true. She doesn't defend policies when they fail students, and her commitment to transparency is very refreshing.

"I think the Dean of Students has to be deeply committed to the pursuance of social justice even when it is inconvenient, speak truth even when it is risky, and always consider the concerns of students with patience and true openness. Dean Raimondo will be able to guide the student body well, because she embodies these characteristics,” says Mnisi.

Raimondo says she is excited for the opportunity to continue on as the dean of students. “I am thrilled for this opportunity to continue to work with the excellent team in student life, whose dedicated efforts on behalf of students I want to recognize and celebrate. The energy, creativity, intellectual engagement, accomplishments, and social and political commitments of Oberlin students are a daily inspiration, and I am so glad to have this opportunity to contribute to the creation of a learning environment that enables students to achieve the highest levels of academic and artistic achievement while growing as people and creating a lifelong community of friends and mentors. The division is committed to providing support structures and resources that enable students to enjoy a meaningful and transformative residential education.”