Campus News
Vice Chancellor Akirah Bradley-Armstrong to join MIT
Since joining UC Santa Cruz in 2022, Akirah has been a tireless advocate for students, a trusted partner to colleagues across the university, and an inspiring leader whose work has strengthened the student experience in lasting ways.
MIT's decision to recruit Akirah speaks to the impact of her leadership and the national reputation she has earned in student affairs.
Dear Campus Community,
I am writing to share that Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Success Akirah Bradley-Armstrong has accepted the position of Vice Chancellor for Student Life at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She will remain with UC Santa Cruz through September 11, then start this exciting new chapter in her career.
While we are sorry to see Akirah leave UC Santa Cruz, this opportunity is a reflection of the exceptional leadership she has brought to our campus. Since joining us in 2022, she has been a tireless advocate for students, a trusted partner to colleagues across the university, and an inspiring leader whose work has strengthened the student experience in lasting ways.
Under Akirah’s leadership, the Division of Student Affairs and Success has matured into a more unified and collaborative organization with a sharp focus on helping every student thrive. She has helped establish housing as a central pillar of student success. She has led the division to make historic investments in the places where students live, learn, and connect. UC Santa Cruz is in the midst of the largest expansion of student housing the campus has seen in decades while also pursuing transformative renovations of spaces like the Bay Tree Building. Akirah’s efforts have helped enable the university to recently announce a two-year housing guarantee. She has also championed new initiatives to strengthen student belonging–from orientation through graduation–whileencouraging a culture of innovation across the division.
Akirah has also broadened our approach to student well-being. During her tenure, we launched the University of California’s first mobile crisis team and deepened our commitment to being a health-promoting campus through initiatives that recognize well-being as fundamental to student success. Her leadership has consistently reflected her belief that supporting students means addressing not only their academic needs, but also the conditions that allow them to flourish.
Beyond UC Santa Cruz, Akirah has elevated the university’s national profile through her leadership in the student affairs profession. She has served on the board of NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and in leadership roles across the University of California system while helping position UC Santa Cruz as a leader in advancing student success. During her tenure, the campus also earned the Seal of Excelencia and a Cultivamos Excelencia grant in recognition of its commitment to serving Latino and transfer students.
Just as importantly, Akirah has been an extraordinary colleague. She leads with authenticity, compassion, optimism, and integrity, and has built strong relationships across our campus community. Whether engaging directly with students, partnering with faculty and staff, or representing UC Santa Cruz nationally, she has consistently brought thoughtfulness, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to our mission.
MIT’s decision to recruit Akirah speaks to the impact of her leadership and the national reputation she has earned in student affairs.
I will share information about interim leadership for the division soon. In the meantime, please join me in thanking Akirah for her many contributions to UC Santa Cruz, congratulating her on this well-deserved opportunity, and wishing her and her family every success in this exciting next chapter.
Sincerely,
Cindy
Cynthia Larive
Chancellor