Christine Bailey
Administrative Coordinator
Christine 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.
Katie Boin, M.A.
Senior Associate Dean & Director
Katie joined Brown as the Director of SSS in August of 2022. Prior to her arrival, she worked at Georgetown University where she was the founding director of the office of Student Outreach and Support (SOS). Katie has been a longtime member and contributor to HECMA, the Higher Education Case Managers Association, and is a leader on issues of student care coordination, behavioral intervention, crisis response, student support and case management. Katie is excited to lead the SSS team, driven by commitments to equity, inclusion, antiracism, integrity in practice, and deep respect for the complexity of the student, and human, experience. Katie and her family are adjusting to life in Rhode Island, but will always call Washington, DC home.
Ashton Darrett, M.S.
Associate Dean
Ashton 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!
Amanda Dickinson Beirne, M.Ed.
Associate Dean & Associate Director
Amanda Dickinson Beirne brings nearly fifteen years of higher education experience in individual student support and intervention, residence life, student conduct, and crisis management. Most recently, Amanda has worked at Bard College, University of Chicago, and Georgetown University in Residence Life and non-clinical case management and sailed with Semester at Sea as part of the Student Life team on the Fall 2022 voyage. Amanda holds a BFA from the School of Visual Arts and calls New York and Washington, D.C. home. Outside of work, Amanda can be found spending time enjoying art and good coffee, volunteering, and exploring Providence.
Cynthia Ellis, Ph.D.
Associate Dean
Cynthia joined Student Support Services as an Associate Dean in January of 2015. She originally started at Brown in the role of psychotherapist at CAPS. Prior to coming to Brown she was a Clinical Associate & Instructor in Psychiatry for Dartmouth Medical School. In her spare time Cynthia enjoys hiking and biking as well as yoga, cooking, gardening and spending time with friends and family.
Anja Lee, M.Ed.
Associate Dean
Anja 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.
Sean Rice, Jr. M.S.
Assistant Director, Triage and Case Coordination
Sean has a passion for connecting with students, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, belonging, fostering relationships, marketing/advertising, and building community. He was able to showcase he passion and talents as a Multicultural Affair's Coordinator, DEI Intern, Resident Counselor, Resident Director, Student Support & Residential Life Coordinator and most recently transitioning from Goucher College as the Associate Director of Student Support & Outreach. He is also heavily involved with HECMA and ACPA where he is the Socials Chair for The Pan African Network. He is originally from Portland, Oregon and has relocated on his academic and professional journeys to: Memphis, Ft. Lauderdale, Xenia- Ohio, Plattsburgh-NY, and Baltimore. He Enjoys karaoke, video games, the arts, writing, and amplifying marginalized voices. He is a certified foodie and TV/movie critic.