MIT has appointed Akirah Bradley-Armstrong as vice chancellor for student life, effective Oct. 19, 2026.
The appointment, following a national search, was announced yesterday in a letter sent to the MIT community from Chancellor Melissa Nobles, to whom Bradley-Armstrong will report. Bradley-Armstrong will succeed Vice Chancellor for Student Life Suzy M. Nelson, who transformed student life at MIT during her 10 years in the role. Nelson announced her retirement earlier this year.
Bradley-Armstrong joins MIT from the University of California at Santa Cruz, where she has served as vice chancellor for student affairs and success since 2022. In that role, she has led one of the university's largest divisions, overseeing approximately 800 professional staff, 2,100 student employees, and more than 30 departments dedicated to supporting student success, health and wellness, housing, athletics, recreation, and campus life. She has served as a principal advisor to UCSC’s chancellor on student issues and collaborated with the academic deans, faculty, and the campus provost on student initiatives.
“Akirah is an accomplished and compassionate leader whose commitment to student success, belonging, and well-being has been demonstrated throughout her career,” says Nobles. “She brings a deep understanding of the challenges students face today, extensive expertise leading complex organizations, and a collaborative approach that will help her continue the work we have done to strengthen the student experience at MIT.”
The Office of the Chancellor oversees student life and learning at MIT. In her new role, Bradley-Armstrong 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 living communities, including oversight of the faculty-led residential house system.
Before assuming her current role at UC Santa Cruz, Bradley-Armstrong was the vice chancellor for student affairs at the University of Colorado at Boulder and held senior student life roles at the University of California at Berkeley. Bradley-Armstrong is a nationally recognized leader in higher education who served on the board of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and chaired its 2025 national conference.
“Throughout my career, I have partnered with high-achieving students across multiple institutions and understand that extraordinary achievement must be paired with strong investments in well-being, mental health, and belonging,” says Bradley-Armstrong. “I’m particularly energized by MIT’s large graduate student population, having worked with graduate students on housing, childcare, and student support, while also teaching a graduate course at CU Boulder. I’m equally drawn to MIT's residential house system, which clearly plays a critical role in the lives of students.”
Bradley-Armstrong has extensive experience leading institutions through periods of change and responding to complex student issues. She has collaborated with campus partners to develop policies and programs that promote dynamic campus communities. Grounded in her background as a first-generation college graduate, student-athlete, and sorority member, Bradley-Armstrong has earned a reputation for leading with deep integrity and an unshakeable commitment to student success.
“I am honored to join MIT and to serve alongside its students, faculty, and staff to support an exceptional student experience,” Bradley-Armstrong says. “MIT has a remarkable tradition of innovation, excellence, and community. I look forward to listening, learning, and building on the Institute's strong commitment to helping every student thrive.”
Nobles notes, “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.”
Bradley-Armstrong earned a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of California at Davis. Her doctoral research examined how universities respond to tragedy as well as the support systems that help administrators navigate crisis response and recovery. She also holds a Master of Education in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration from the University of Vermont, and a bachelor's degree from Mansfield University.
“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,” says Nobles.
