Brittany Frederick, a historian of higher education with over a decade of experience in student affairs, has been appointed Director of Multicultural Education and Community Engagement in WPI’s Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME).  

Frederick joined WPI in February from the Pennsylvania State University, where she was associate director for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Fox Graduate School, overseeing education, training, and workshops for faculty, staff, and students that supported a culture of inclusion and belonging. There, she collaborated with campus partners to develop and implement impactful programming to promote student engagement and foster a greater sense of belonging within the graduate student community. 

“As I join the vibrant educational community at WPI, I am most excited about the institution’s hands-on approach to addressing complex social and economic problems around the world. Inclusion should be at the heart of this work, and I am happy to be in a position that supports and promotes these values on campus,” she says. 

Frederick received her bachelor’s in history and her master’s in public history at the University at Albany, and her PhD at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. While at UMass Amherst, she served as a graduate assistant in the Graduate School’s Office of Inclusion and Engagement, where she spearheaded social, academic, and professional initiatives designed to support underrepresented graduate students. 

Throughout her career, Frederick has built collaborative relationships within her unit, across her university, and with external partners. Her efforts have enhanced student success and strengthened community awareness around critical topics that affect individuals within systems of higher education. 

Emily Perlow, assistant vice president and dean of students, says, “I’m truly energized to have Brittany join ODIME and elevate its successes in engaging our many communities within the university. Most critically, whether someone identifies as a member of our BIPOC, ALANA, first-generation, religious/spiritual, LGBTQIAP+ communities, or any other group, every person on this campus can benefit from ODIME’s programs, resources, and services. Brittany’s expertise and vision are exciting, and I’m proud to have her leadership in supporting student engagement, well-being, and belonging efforts on our campus.”