Dr. Dianna Washington
I lead and support initiatives that enhance UNCW’s ability to serve its diverse student population by aligning college-level data with national research and institutional insights on effective practices, emerging trends, and programs that foster student success and retention. I engage in cross-divisional collaboration to evaluate and strengthen retention-focused strategies particularly in areas such as academic advising, orientation programs, student engagement, and support systems. These efforts aim to reduce undergraduate attrition, increase graduation rates, and promote student efficacy, belonging, and holistic wellbeing and success.
• Ph.D. Urban Education Studies Indiana University, Indianapolis
• M.S.Ed. Educational Psychology Indiana University, Bloomington
• M.A. Community Counseling Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion
• MBA Business Administration Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion
• B.A. Psychology Harding University, Searcy, Arkansas
• Consortium for Student Retention Data Exchange
• National Academic Advising Association (NACADA)
What do you attribute your success to?
I contribute my success to resilience, preparation, and a steadfast belief in the transformative power of education. I have learned to navigate systems by pairing strategic thinking with relational leadership, valuing both outcomes and people. Mentorship, continuous learning, and a commitment to serving have guided my path and shaped my approach to leadership.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was to lead with purpose but always invest in relationships. Early in my career, I focused intensely on achieving results and building programs, but I realized that sustainable impact comes from the people around you, including students, colleagues, mentors, and community partners. By cultivating trust, listening deeply, and collaborating across divisions, I’ve been able to implement meaningful change while supporting others’ growth.
It also reminded me to stay grounded in my values, equity, integrity, and service, so that every decision I make is guided by purpose, not just process. That advice has shaped how I approach leadership, mentorship, and problem-solving throughout my career, helping me balance strategic goals with human-centered leadership.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise a young woman entering the higher education workforce to lead with both confidence and curiosity. Learn the culture of your institution, but do not feel pressure to assimilate in ways that silence your voice or diminish your values. Your perspective matters especially in spaces where equity, access, and student success are central to the mission.
Seek out mentors and sponsors early, and don’t limit them to people who look like you or work in your unit. Be intentional about building relationships across divisions, because higher education moves through collaboration. At the same time, invest in your own professional development understand policy, budgets, data, and governance structures so you are prepared for leadership opportunities when they arise.
Be patient with your growth, but not passive about your goals. Advocate for yourself, ask for stretch assignments, and learn to articulate your impact. There will be moments when the work feels slow or the systems feel resistant; in those moments, stay anchored in your purpose and the students you serve. Protect your wellbeing, set boundaries, and remember that sustainability—not burnout—is the foundation of meaningful leadership.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in higher education today is navigating demographic shifts, resource constraints, and heightened expectations for equity and accountability while remaining student-centered. Institutions face enrollment pressures and increasingly complex student needs, requiring new, holistic approaches to academic, financial, and wellbeing support.
At the same time, there is an opportunity to better align institutional mission with practice by moving beyond siloed efforts toward integrated, data-informed, and equity-centered systems. Institutions that succeed will be those that balance innovation with care, accountability with empathy, and efficiency with purpose, leading with adaptability and a clear focus on who higher education serves and why.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are integrity, equity, service, and authenticity. I believe in leading with integrity being transparent, accountable, and consistent in my decisions and actions. Equity is central to how I show up in my work; I am deeply committed to creating systems and environments where access, dignity, and opportunity are not dependent on background or circumstance.
Service grounds my purpose. Whether supporting students, colleagues, or my community, I am motivated by contributing in ways that have meaningful and lasting impact. I also value collaboration and respect, recognizing that sustainable change happens through relationships built on trust and shared responsibility.
In my personal life, authenticity and balance are essential. I strive to live and lead in ways that align with my values, protect my wellbeing, and honor the relationships that sustain me. These values guide how I make decisions, how I treat others, and how I measure success—not solely by outcomes, but by the integrity and care with which the work is done.
