The Office of the the Dean of Students is pleased to announce the appointment of Avani Rana to the position of Assistant Dean & Director of Leadership. Avani will join our staff on April 1, 2013.
Prior to arriving at TCNJ, Avani served as Assistant Director of Leadership at Rutgers University, where she spearheaded development of a new leadership department, including co-curricular leadership programs and workshops. She has taught leadership seminars and courses on such topics as emerging leaders, transfer students, and women’s leadership. Avani also gained significant experience in student affairs and leadership through student life positions in the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership at Douglass College, Rutgers University, and in the Office of Student Activities at New York University. As a graduate student she completed a prestigious public policy internship in Washington, DC at the National Association for Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) headquarters.
At TCNJ, Avani will be responsible for developing a comprehensive leadership program, coordinating leadership training for both emerging and experienced student leaders, as well as recruiting, training and advising a Leadership Advisory Board. She is also charged with maintaining and communicating information to the campus community about leadership opportunities, events and programs. Avani looks forward to collaborating with partners in Academic Affairs to develop and enhance a leadership curriculum, including an assessment of learning outcomes, and will consult with other departments on campus regarding leadership opportunities for students. Avani will teach a leadership-focused First Seminar course, and drive the selection and implementation of a co-curricular transcript.
Avani holds a master’s degree in Higher Education from the Steinhardt School of Education at New York University and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with an International Studies certificate from Douglass College, Rutgers University. She is currently a doctoral candidate in Education, Culture and Society at Rutgers. Please join me in congratulating Avani on her new position and thanking the members of the search committee.
Magda Manetas
Associate Vice President & Dean of Students