Our Team

Rob Mack joined The New School as Vice Provost for Student Success and Engagement in August 2022. In this role, he is responsible for strategically leading the area of Student Success and Engagement and supporting and improving New School students' experiences outside the classroom, in close collaboration with the colleges and academic experience. This includes oversight of the areas of Academic Advising and Career Development, Student Affairs, and Student Health Services.

Rob brings with him over 20 years of higher education experience and a background in clinical psychology. Before joining The New School, he served as associate provost and chief diversity officer at Tufts University, providing diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice strategic consultation and vision for the senior leadership. Working closely with faculty, staff, and students, Rob helped foster a culture of belonging grounded in best practices, education, and support. He led and supported projects such as the Tufts Anti-Racism Initiative, the institutional inclusion climate survey, education learning opportunities focused on oppression, and programs for the university community centered on dialogue.

Rob’s background in the areas of student success and student engagement is both deep and broad. At Tufts, Rob also served as associate dean for the Office of Student Success and Academic Advising in Student Affairs; earlier he served as the associate dean for Undergraduate Education in Academic Affairs. He is very proud of his work launching and directing the Bridge to Liberal Arts Success at Tufts program for students who are the first generation to attend college, students on financial aid, and students with undocumented status.

Rob received his EdD in Educational Leadership & Supervision from American International College, his MEd in Counseling in Mental Health from the University of Massachusetts, and his BA in Psychology from Westfield State University.

Shondrika Merritt was appointed Associate Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students in October 2022. She had served as the interim associate provost for Student Success since January 2022. She joined the New School community in August 2019, initially serving as the senior director of Student Advocacy. In her current role, Shondrika is responsible for overseeing the area of Student Affairs, which promotes excellence in students' learning, academic achievement, and personal growth. As the Dean of Students, Shondrika strives to meet students' needs holistically by strengthening relationships between students, faculty, staff, and community members to create a sense of belonging among the community. Ensuring students' success, growth, and wellness is the ultimate goal.

Shondrika brings with her 18 years of progressive student affairs experience. She also served as a Residence Education professional at St. Joe’s University and University of Dayton.

Shondrika received her bachelor's in Business Administration from Shawnee State University, her MS in College Student Personnel from the University of Dayton, and her Doctorate of Education from Temple University. Her research explores how race, history, and culture have influenced the attitudes and perceptions of African American women regarding sexual violence. Through her research, Shondrika has given voice to African American women and their experiences.

Tracy Robin currently serves as associate provost for Student Health Services. In this role Tracy provides oversight to a comprehensive range of Student Health Services, including medical and counseling services, wellness and health promotion initiatives, the student health insurance plan, and immunization and COVID compliance.

Tracy’s journey at the university began in 2000 when they joined as a therapist at the counseling center. Over the years, Tracy’s dedication and expertise led them to take on increasing administrative responsibilities, gradually leading to their current position. Tracy sees health and social justice as inextricably linked, and with their team has created and supported programs and services over the years that integrate equity, inclusion, and social justice.

Prior to joining The New School, Tracy worked for over 10 years as a therapist and clinical supervisor in NYC hospital-based trauma programs serving survivors of childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence. Tracy’s work draws from a rich blend of feminist, anti-oppressive, multicultural, trauma-informed, and psychodynamic perspectives.

Tracy received their MSW from New York University and their BA in Sociology from Ithaca College. Tracy went on to get a certificate in Gender Conscious Psychoanalytically Oriented Psychotherapy from The Women’s Therapy Centre Institute, and has received intensive training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and EMDR. Tracy is also a Reiki practitioner and an Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist. Tracy co-wrote an article published in the Journal of American College Health titled “Provision of Auricular Acupuncture and Acupressure in a University Setting”, which created a path for colleges around the country to introduce this wellness practice on their campuses.

Lorenley Báez joined The New School in January 2020 as Assistant Vice President in Student Success. She was later appointed Associate Provost for Academic Advising and Career Development in Student Success. Previously, she was at the College of Mount Saint Vincent, where she served as Associate Dean for the Oxley Center for Academic Advisement, providing strategic oversight for career education, internships, academic advisement, TRiO Student Support Services, Mount Access Program, Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program, Academic Resource Center, and Office of Disability Services.  She was also an adjunct instructor in the Department of Sociology, where she taught race and gender identity theory.

Lorenley is also the principal consultant for Lorenley Báez Consulting, where she works with nonprofit organizations, colleges, and universities to support the student experience by providing an array of support services in the following areas: team development and professional coaching; curriculum and co-curricular design and assessment; organizational development and strategic planning; and equity, inclusion, and social justice education, awareness, and competency.

She is a graduate of American University (AU) where she earned a bachelor’s degree in print journalism and two master's degrees in organization development and public administration.  Lorenley co-founded the first Latino Student Conference in the Washington Metropolitan area intended to provide community, support and an array of opportunities for college-age Latino students. Additionally, as a former AU employee, she co-created the university’s first Latino affinity alumni group that was later recognized as the first Latino Alumni Chapter for Latino alumni of American University.

Brian Fuller joined The New School in November of 2022 as Associate Provost for Strategy and Operations within Student Success. In this role, Brian is responsible for leading the development and execution of the operational, financial, and strategic visions for Student Success. He also oversees the Communications, Career Development, and Veteran Services departments within the division.

Prior to joining The New School, Brian worked at the New York City Department of Education, where he helped manage the NYC Community Schools’ initiative, was Chief of Staff to the Deputy Chancellor, and served as Chief Strategy Officer for School Planning and Development. Brian also consulted for various school districts and non-profit organizations, most notably LearnLaunch, where he developed and facilitated equity and strategy workshops for hundreds of educational leaders across Massachusetts. Earlier in his career, Brian launched the Philadelphia region of an educational non-profit, The DREAM Program, serving youth living in low-income housing across the city of Philadelphia. He was awarded a “Community Celebrity” Award by Cabot Creamery for his work. He also taught 3rd grade at Success Academy Charters in New York City.

Brian is the author of a forthcoming book outlining the inherent racial and social injustices within our American education system titled Being Black in America's Schools. The book will be released in the summer of 2024.

Brian received his undergraduate degree at Emory University and later received his M.Ed. in School Leadership and Development from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. During his time at Harvard, he was awarded membership into the Harvard Graduate School Leadership Institute through the Harvard Kennedy School's Center for Public Leadership.