Rilda Kissel

Rilda began her career in Higher Education at Boston University where she also earned a Masters in Higher Education Administration. She served in several student support roles at the Boston University School of Social Work and Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences before joining HGSE in 2011. She served as the Program Administrator and Assistant Director for the TIE, L&T, and LDIT programs for twelve years before transitioning to the Office of Student Affairs. In this role she supported students in each cohort through academic advising, event planning, programmatic support, and community building. 

She is also trained as a storytelling coach and has been involved in the HGSE storytelling program, Double Take, since 2016. She also certified as a Grief and Bereavement Specialist from the University of Vermont.

Rilda lives nearby with her two school age children, her husband, and her chocolate lab Frank. She enjoys running and spending time in the woods near her home with her family. 

Her responsibilities include supporting student through personal and academic challenges as well as creating programming that enables a supportive and inclusive environment focused on student well being.