DeAgrela joins DSL's Intercultural Engagement team as assistant dean
Nina DeAgrela, M.Ed will join the Intercultural Engagement team as the assistant dean for multicultural programs. DeAgrela graduated from Bridgewater State University with a bachelor’s degree in communication. While there, she was heavily involved in residence life programs. She went on to complete a master’s of education in higher education student affairs from Salem State University.
DeAgrela comes to MIT after 13 years at Bentley University. She worked in a number of student affairs roles including student conduct and new student orientation. DeAgrela has also worked as an advocate for unrepresented populations throughout her professional career. Most recently as associate director of Bently’s Multicultural Center, she lead a number of local and national trainings and presentations on social identity, social justice, and personal/professional development. Additionally, she’s advised myriad of student groups including the Portuguese Across the Continents, Black United Body, and the Cape Verdean Student Association. DeAgrela has also been active in the LGBTQ@Bentley Steering Committee and the Student Affairs Inclusion & Diversity Committee, and last year she founded the First Generation Task Force, which helps streamline processes for Bentley students who identified as being the first in their families to go to college.
At MIT, DeAgrela will manage the Office of Multicultural Programs daily operations. She will have direct oversight of the Black Student Union and the Latino Cultural Center and their affiliated groups as well as the Native American and Asian and Pacific Islander student organizations. She will advise and provide program and leadership development opportunities to more than 70 student cultural clubs. Additionally, DeAgrela will help direct the creation, implementation, and assessment of social justice programming and education opportunities on campus through lectures, workshops, and events, and establish opportunities for structured dialogue among students.
Born and raised in southeastern Massachusetts, DeAgrela has a passion for connecting students to purpose and then helping them “thrive, not just survive.” Her concern for students managing rigorous academics and unexpected life events stems from her own experience as a first-generation college student.
