Annette Diorio
Annette Diorio will become the next vice president for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Union College. She begins her new role at Union on Jan. 2, 2023.
Diorio, a New York native, has been vice president for Student Life at Lafayette College since 2012 and in student affairs leadership at the college for more than two decades.
At Union, she will lead a broad portfolio of student-facing services and operations including the residential experience; dining; health and wellness; student activities; student conduct and athletics.
“Annette rose to the top of an extremely competitive field of candidates, and we are delighted to welcome her to Union,” said Union President David R. Harris. “She has an established track record of implementing forward-thinking programs designed to better serve students, and her experience at another highly-regarded liberal arts college with a strong engineering program makes her especially well-suited to this role.”
During her tenure as vice president at Lafayette, Diorio championed recognition of the college’s first multicultural Greek organization and was instrumental in simplifying Lafayette’s housing rate structure to promote greater equity in the residence halls. She also worked alongside students to implement a number of initiatives, including an increase in wages for student workers, redesigning the accreditation process for the college’s Greek chapters and significant renovations to student residential and social spaces. Diorio also oversaw Lafayette’s athletics program for much of her time as vice president, during which time the athletic director created a new strategic plan for the organization.
“I could not be more excited to join the Union College community,” Diorio said. “I am inspired by the Strategic Plan and by the tremendous love for Union that was conveyed by students, faculty, staff and trustees. I look forward to joining President Harris and others in continuing to strengthen the student experience at Union.”
Diorio was born and raised in the Bronx, N.Y. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education from the State University of New York at Cortland and her master’s degree from St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y. She also earned a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Kansas, where her doctoral dissertation examined the impact of internet use on the academic and social integration of first-year college students.
She and her wife, Kate, a high school math teacher and active community volunteer, enjoy hiking, biking and other outdoor activities, as well as spending time with their black lab, Chance.