Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to IAP/the spring 2024 semester. I hope you had a restful and fun winter break.
We are writing to let you know that DiOnetta Jones Crayton has decided to step down as Associate Dean and Director of the Office of Minority Education (OME).
Thanks to her 14 years of dedicated, inspiring leadership and an amazing team of staff, the OME has continued to make significant contributions to educating the whole student. Thousands of students and community members have benefitted from the office’s vibrant and evolving programming, emphasis on community building and connection, and unwavering passion for fostering academic achievement.
Of particular note, but by no means exhaustive, has been the expansion of Interphase EDGE, both in terms of participation and format; the creation of two new hallmark programs (The Standard and The CRWN) that support the academic and personal success of MIT's undergraduate and men and women of color; the expansion of key OME advisory groups (OME Faculty Advisory Committee, Industrial Advisory Council for Minority Education, and the OME Student Advisory Council); and the growth of collaborative efforts in career and professional advising, mental health support, and academic performance and success, to name just a few.
The OME has always been an exemplar—and a beacon, especially during the most challenging times on campus. The office has led the way in showing how to create inclusive and curious communities, integrate intellectual rigor with empathy, and in the words of an undergraduate, to give all students the skills and confidence to learn how to “sip from the firehose that is MIT.”
In short, the office enables MIT to become a better version of itself by not shying away from hard problems and identifying areas where we can and should do better.
DiOnetta has been a longstanding advisor, mentor, and changemaker at the Institute. She has served on numerous Institute Committees and been an essential thought partner in navigating some of the most challenging issues facing our students. I have personally valued her commitment to excellence, her strategic vision and leadership, and her ability to communicate her passion to others. I could go on, but it seems best to share DiOnetta’s own words about her time at MIT and her future plans (at the end of this email) with you directly.
Given DiOnetta’s imminent departure, we have developed an initial transition plan to ensure that the OME and its staff can continue the critical mission of supporting our students and campus community.
Starting on February 5, Dr. Diep “Yip” Luu, Associate Dean and Director of the Undergraduate Advising Center (UAC), will serve as interim Director of the OME. Diep has extensive experience in student advising and success, including supporting minoritized student populations, and has quickly gotten to know the MIT landscape at MIT over the past year.
I’m grateful to Gregory Jain, OME’s Assistant Dean for Professional Development Programs, who has agreed to serve as the point person for the OME’s day-to-day operations.
I have also asked Diep to work closely with OME staff, students, faculty, and other stakeholders to explore options for enhancing collaboration and coordination between the OME and UAC and ultimately bringing OME under the broader UAC umbrella, including into the dynamic new advising hub space being designed for the first floor of Building 11.
I want to close by reflecting on what DiOnetta said when she first arrived at MIT from Cornell. In a 2009 interview by MIT News, she shared “I think I would be remiss if I didn't mention the diversity of intellectual capital available at MIT. The diversity of thought generated here has and will continue to change the world …I'm already looking forward to seeing the great things that will come out of all of this. The truth is... I am so blessed, and my faith is so strong, that I can't do anything but look forward to the future!”
We too have been blessed by DiOnetta’s strength, commitment, and love. Please join me in thanking her for all she has done and in wishing her the best in her future endeavors.
Sincerely,
Ian
Ian A. Waitz
Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate and Graduate Education and Jerome C. Hunsaker Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics
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Subject: Next steps for DiOnetta
Dear Friends,
Many of you know that, on May 3, 2022, I had a congenital heart surgery that led to complications that had me fighting for my life; and the truth is, I almost died. I thank God every day that I have recovered and am recovering. I will always be appreciative of the support that I received, during that time, from my OVC colleagues, my office, and from MIT. Thank you all so much!
After all of this happened, and during my six months of medical leave, I felt very different. I told friends closest to me that I wasn't sure that I wanted to, or even if I should, come back to work at MIT. I guess when traumatic life events happen, your priorities can shift. Afterall, there were and are so many things that I wanted and needed to do in ministry, locally and globally, and I wanted to dedicate more time to my family (here and down South). In the end, as you know, I decided to come back to MIT, because I really needed and wanted to prove something to myself (namely, that I could do it), and I also wanted to ensure that I didn't leave the OME in a difficult situation. I am really glad that I did come back, and I am really excited about the team that is currently in the OME. I have really enjoyed working with all of them. And now that I know, without a doubt, that the office is in a good place, and that I have done all I can do, I can shift my perspective and focus back to those things most pressing on my heart and step down from my position as Associate Dean and Director of the OME (effective February 2, 2024).
It has been my honor to serve as Director of the OME for past 14 years. As a team, we have accomplished great things together, and no one can debate that. I am proud of my work, and I am especially proud of what I have done to benefit the office, the students we serve, and the greater MIT community. It has been so rewarding and such a blessing to contribute to so many lives as well as different committees, programs, events, and services over the years. The people are truly the best thing about MIT, and I will miss working with our amazing students and such great colleagues from all across the Institute.
Of course, this is very bittersweet. However, I am at peace with my decision. This will allow me to give more time to the things I care about, specifically my family and Ministry work. Of course, I will work with the OME team throughout this transition to ensure that the office is in the best position for continued success. I am just beginning to notify folks about this, so I would ask that you give me to the end of the week to get the word out.
Thank you all for making my time at MIT such a joy!😊
Sincerely,
DiOnetta
