Christopher serves as the Associate Dean and Associate Director of Student Support Services at Brown University, rejoining the university in September 2024 after a previous role here from 2021 to 2022. With over twelve years of experience in higher education and non-profit organizations, Christopher is dedicated to student advocacy, crisis management, and fostering inclusive support systems for diverse populations. He has held leadership positions at San Francisco State University, Cornell University, San Diego State University, and the Los Angeles LGBT Center. Originally from Los Angeles, Christopher now enjoys living on the East Coast with his husband and their dog, Harley. He is thrilled to be part of the Brown community and looks forward to connecting with students.
Division of Campus Life
Student Support Services
Our Staff
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Sean Rice, Jr. M.S.
Assistant Director, Triage and Case CoordinationSean Rice serves as Assistant Director, Triage and Case Coordination for Student Support Services at Brown University. He assumed this role in 2023.
Sean is deeply passionate about student engagement, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), relationship-building, marketing, and creating inclusive communities. His dedication to supporting students and amplifying marginalized voices has shaped his career across various roles, including Multicultural Affairs Coordinator, DEI Intern, Resident Counselor, Resident Director, Student Support & Residential Life Coordinator, and most recently, Associate Director of Student Support & Outreach at Goucher College.
Sean is actively involved in national professional associations, serving as the Awards Co-chair for The Pan African Network within ACPA and contributing to the work of HECMA. Originally from Portland, Oregon, his academic and professional journey has taken him across the country to Memphis (TN), Ft. Lauderdale (FL), Xenia (Ohio), Plattsburgh (New York), and Baltimore (MD).
Outside of work, Sean enjoys karaoke, video games, the arts, creative writing, and critiquing food, TV, and movies with gusto. He brings both warmth and enthusiasm to every community he joins.
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Ashton Darrett, M.S.
Associate DeanAshton has a 12 year career in higher education which includes advising, career services, community support, financial aid, admissions, study abroad, and internship programming. Before coming to Brown, Ashton was the Associate Director of Advising at the College of Saint Rose. His interests lie within the realm of mentoring students through holistic support and teaching. Mental health is his jam and providing a calming environment that is open to freedom of thought and expression is what he desires all students to feel when working with him. Ashton was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He is a huge fan of fitness, anime, travel, performing arts, poetry, philanthropy, and supporting education. If he's not writing or at the gym, you can find him on a beach or in a museum. Ashton considers himself a life long learner and forever student! -
Cynthia Ellis, Ph.D.
Associate DeanCynthia Ellis has served as an Associate Dean in Student Support Services at Brown University since January 2015. She began her work at Brown as a psychologist with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), bringing a deep commitment to student well-being. Before joining the University, Cynthia was a Clinical Associate and Instructor in Psychiatry at Dartmouth Medical School.
Cynthia enjoys connecting with students, creating a safe space where they can share their experiences, and helping them develop a plan. Outside of her work with students, Cynthia enjoys hiking, biking, yoga, cooking, gardening, and spending quality time with family and friends.
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Anja Lee, M.Ed.
Associate DeanAnja began working at Brown in April 2017 and held a couple of positions in the College before joining Student Support Services in March 2022. Prior to that, she was a mental health clinician for adolescents and an academic advisor at a community college. Anja has a deep interest in helping students develop wellness and self-care practices that they can use in their daily life at Brown and beyond. Anja was raised in the Republic of the Marshall Islands and calls this home. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors (only when it's warm), and trying different fitness classes. -
Christine Bailey
Administrative CoordinatorChristine worked in investment banking and as a paralegal prior to coming to Brown. Christine's heart and soul are by the ocean and she likes to walk her rescue dogs on the beach almost every day.