Announcing the new vice chancellor for student life

Dear members of the MIT community,

I am very pleased to share that Akirah Bradley-Armstrong will join MIT as our next vice chancellor for student life. Akirah currently serves as vice chancellor for student affairs and success at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and has more than two decades of experience working in student affairs. She will join the MIT community on Monday, October 19, reporting directly to me.

The role of the vice chancellor for student life

The Office of the Chancellor oversees student life and learning at MIT. In her new role, Akirah will lead the student life side of that mission for undergraduate and graduate students. This broad portfolio encompasses dining; well-being and support; student organizations and events; the Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation; and our living communities, including oversight of the faculty-led residential house system.

Akirah will work in close partnership with me; with David Darmofal, her counterpart as vice chancellor for graduate and undergraduate education; and with students, staff, and faculty throughout the Institute.

About Akirah

Akirah stood out during our national search, with her proven record of leading large, complex student affairs organizations and fostering vibrant campus communities. Before assuming her current role at UC Santa Cruz, she served as the vice chancellor for student affairs at the University of Colorado Boulder and in senior student life roles at the University of California, Berkeley. 

Throughout her career, Akirah has driven high-impact, system-level change across residential and Greek life, dining, athletics, and campus planning. Her innovative approach led to the launch of the University of California system’s first campus mobile crisis response team, the establishment of a two-year housing guarantee, and the advancement of initiatives of the UC Santa Cruz strategic plan. Nationally recognized in higher education, she has served on the board of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and chaired its 2025 national conference.

Grounded in her background as a first-generation college graduate, student-athlete, and sorority member, Akirah has earned a reputation for leading with deep integrity and an unshakeable commitment to student success. Known for her collaborative approach, Akirah develops strong partnerships between students, faculty, and staff to build an environment where every student can thrive. Members of the search committee felt that her energy, vision, and heart for community make her a fantastic fit for our campus. 

Suzy's legacy

I also want to express my deepest thanks to outgoing Vice Chancellor for Student Life Suzy M. Nelson, who retires this fall after a decade of remarkable leadership. As I shared earlier this year, Suzy's tenure transformed student life at MIT – elevating student well-being, reshaping our residential campus, and strengthening the staff and programs students rely on every day.

Under her leadership, students have become true partners in developing the programs and policies that serve them. Suzy also built a durable student-life infrastructure and a deeply committed team, leaving DSL on a strong foundation. Please join me in congratulating Suzy on her upcoming retirement and thanking her for her steadfast dedication to our students.

With gratitude

I am grateful to search committee co-chairs Joe Higgins and Kris Prather, and to every member of the search advisory group (listed below) for the diligence, expertise, and care they brought to this important charge. In addition, I thank our many community members for engaging in thoughtful conversations about the future of the Division of Student Life. Your insights supported this search at every stage.

I look forward to welcoming Akirah to MIT and to working alongside her – and our whole community – to shape MIT’s next chapter of student life.

Sincerely,

Melissa Nobles
Chancellor

Search Advisory Group

Joe Higgins, Co-chair; Vice President for Campus Services and Stewardship

Kristala L. Jones Prather, Co-chair; Arthur D. Little Professor and Head, Department of Chemical Engineering

Keith Cort, Graduate Student, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics

John DiFava, MIT Chief of Police

Mary Fuller, Professor of Literature

Pamela Gannon '84, PhD, Board Member, MIT Association of Independent Living Groups, and former Director of FSILG Alumni Programs

Adam Ivatorov '26, Department of Mechanical Engineering

Alicia Ji, Undergraduate Student, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Favour Oladimeji, Graduate Student, Department of Health Sciences and Technology

Julie A. Shah, H.N. Slater Professor and Head, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Karen Singleton, Deputy Chief Health Officer, MIT Health

Michael Sipser, Donner Professor, Department of Mathematics

Denzil A. Streete, Senior Associate Dean and Director, Office of Graduate Education

Andrew Sutherland, Associate Professor of Accounting, Sloan School of Management

Aaron R. Weinberger, Chief of Staff, Office of the President

Jaren D. Wilcoxson, Counsel, Office of the General Counsel

Sarah Williams, Norman B. and Muriel Leventhal Professor, Department of Urban Studies and Planning

Jill Bassett, Chief of Staff, Office of the Chancellor, staff to the committee

Dan Delgado, Senior Director of Administration, Office of the Provost, staff to the committee

Brittany Hutchinson, Executive Assistant, Office of the Chancellor, staff to the committee