It is with deep gratitude that I share bittersweet news about one of our remarkable leaders. Rochelle T. Dickey ’83, P’19, dean of students/vice president for student life, will retire in Spring 2023.
Rochelle has made a powerful impact on members of our CC community for generations. Since 1990, she has worked to improve the lives of students by fostering constructive conversations and building bridges. Her commitment to antiracism, diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging have been steadfast through the decades.
Rochelle shared, “It’s hard to put into words the immense gratitude I feel for the tremendous opportunities I’ve been given during my journey here at Colorado College. I could not have asked for a more welcoming and nurturing environment or better colleagues, and building impactful and lasting relationships with our students has truly been the ultimate joy!”
I am grateful for Rochelle’s leadership, wisdom, and support during my time at CC. She has shared her understanding of students and their well-being, a wealth of institutional knowledge, and much insight into our community and our shared values.
Rochelle has been deeply involved in outreach and partnership efforts that meaningfully connect CC to the greater Colorado Springs community, such as the community-wide Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration, including the All People’s Breakfast, and serving on the African-American Youth Leadership Conference’s Board of Directors.
The Butler Center established the Rochelle T. Dickey Award for an Outstanding Event Contributing to the Empowerment of Communities of Color in her honor. She was also the recipient of the Gresham Riley Award in 2017, which recognizes faculty and staff who have made a significant difference to the Colorado College community through outstanding service, commitment, and accomplishment.
Rochelle also shared, “I have to borrow from Serena Williams here; I look at this retirement as more of an evolution to a new phase of life. In the meantime, I’m wholly committed to the work of the college during the remainder of my time here. It’s been an honor to serve.”
Rochelle grew up in Colorado Springs and was a first-generation student, earning a bachelor’s degree in drama from CC and a master’s in educational counseling and human services from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. She joined CC in 1990 and has served as senior associate dean of students, associate dean and director of minority student life, and director of minority and international students.
Her involvement in community projects has focused on enhancing education and access for youth so that they might have the kind of support she received as a first-generation college student.
Please join me in congratulating Rochelle on her remarkable career and decades of dedication and service to CC and our entire Colorado Springs community.
Sincerely,
