March 23, 2021
New assistant dean Addie Dare eager to enhance multicultural students’ success
By Charlotte Smith ’20, ’21G
Adebimpe “Addie” Dare carries high hopes for herself and students in her new role as assistant dean/director of multicultural student success in the Student Success Center. Foremost, she strives to create unique opportunities for multicultural students that will lead them to academic and social fulfillment.
Dare, who comes to the College from Manhattanville College in New York, began her duties on Feb. 8. As assistant dean, she has a host of responsibilities, including directing academic advising and mentoring of primarily multicultural, first-generation students; supervising the Multicultural Scholarship Program; communicating with faculty about the progress of scholars; collaborating with College partners to coordinate the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation; and overseeing the Transitions Program, a pre-orientation program for multicultural and first-generation students intended to get them acclimated with all aspects of the College.
Dare served for the last two years as Manhattanville’s director of the Center for Inclusion, a student-based office designed to create an inclusive community for all. Prior to that, she directed the school’s Center for Student Involvement and Leadership.
While at Manhattanville, she helped develop and implement a strategic plan that expanded diversity, equity, and social justice-focused learning experiences and directed a need-base scholarship program with intentional on-campus support for students. She also oversaw a college success program for first-generation students, co-chaired The Alliance, the first faculty and staff of color organization, and served on several collegewide committees to advocate for student needs.
Dare earned her undergraduate bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth in 2001. That same year, she began her career in student affairs at the English Language Institute at Pine Manor College. She oversaw the residence life and student activities department, which was geared towards community building and engagement for students of various cultures. It was her interactions with students at Pine Manor that led to her master’s degree in intercultural relations from Lesley University in 20o7.
As PC’s assistant dean/director of multicultural student success, Dare said she is focused on a plan for success that involves connecting students with each other, providing them with appropriate resources, and identifying barriers that may impede their progress and raise awareness with campus partners.
Dare was drawn to PC because of the multitude of ways her position allows her to engage with students. She will oversee all three sectors of students who make up the Multicultural Scholarship Program — the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Cunningham, and Saint Juan Macías scholars — and intends to meet with all 110 of them. She will guide students to departments, staff, and faculty members so they can be served in a more direct way.
In coordinating the Transitions Program, Dare said she will help students of all backgrounds find their home at PC, underscoring that cultural sensitivity, empathy, respect, and stability are integral to their growth and success. She will encourage students to take advantage of essential campus resources, such as the Office of Academic Services, the Office of Financial Aid, and The Center at Moore Hall, as well as community resources in Greater Providence.
However, Dare also sees her role as an opportunity to assist all students, not just those in the Multicultural Scholarship Program. She plans to reach out in multiple fashions, primarily through keeping abreast of co-curricular activities and extracurricular activities such as club meetings, organizations, and events.
“It is important for me to get my name and face out there to students, so they see my role as a resource for them,” said Dare.
While the demographics of PC are always evolving, Dare is committed to keeping up with the changes and is committed to fostering an environment where people of all backgrounds, cultures, identities, and perspectives can flourish academically.
“As I continue to interact with various students, it is important for me to keep in mind that the dynamics of ‘who students are’ constantly changes,” she said. “Thinking about the experiences and backgrounds of our students, I hope to be a part of their support network, provide resources, and see them through the end.”
