Dianna Graves ’98 will serve as Claremont McKenna College’s Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students, President Hiram Chodosh announced this week.
“When she comes to work every morning, Dianna brings it—the rigor of higher learning, the joy of fierce competition, the loyalty of a lifetime friend—to support our students in all they aspire to achieve,” Chodosh said.
Since 2016, Graves has served as the Assistant Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, collaborating with students, faculty, staff, and trustees on CMC’s institutional priorities. In that role, she worked directly with the Dean of Students office for the past six months.
“There is no work I enjoy or value more than working with CMC students,” Graves said. “I am honored to join Vice President Sharon Basso’s leadership team and my faculty and staff colleagues who are truly invested in making sure every student has the opportunity to thrive.”
As a CMC student, Graves earned 11 varsity letters, received the prestigious Dickinson Award, served as Head Resident Assistant, and won the Berger Prize as one of two outstanding students in her graduating class.
A biology major, Graves worked as a research associate in the Molecular Genetics Department at City of Hope, investigating the genetic processes underlying cancer.
In 1999, Graves returned to CMC as the head coach of women’s volleyball. In 2010, she became Director of Academic Planning at CMC. In that role, she oversaw federal grant administration, institutional accreditation, and external program review. She played a lead role in establishing the Personal and Social Responsibility Initiative, working with the Dean of Students and the Dean of the Faculty on issues related to sexual assault, drug and alcohol use, academic integrity, and campus climate. Graves also served as CMC’s institutional liaison to the Western Association of Schools and Colleges for the past seven years.
In 2015, the College recognized her leadership with CMC’s Exceptional Service Award.
Graves holds a Ph.D. in education from Claremont Graduate University, is a member of multiple professional organizations, and serves on the Board of the Claremont Educational Foundation.