Dietra Trent. Photo provided.
Dietra Trent will serve as Chief of Staff at George Mason University during President Anne Holton’s tenure.
Trent is an accomplished public official who brings a wealth of experience in public policy, government and education to George Mason University, including having served as Secretary of Education under Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Deputy Secretary of Education under Gov. Tim Kaine, and Director of Constituent Services under Gov. Mark Warner.
Trent holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University’s College of Humanities and Sciences and a Ph.D. in public policy from VCU’s Wilder School. After her tenure in state government, she returned to the Wilder School to be the Center for Public Policy’s Director of Equity Research and Training.
“Throughout her career, Dr. Trent has been an advocate for inclusivity and equity,” Holton said. “She excels at bringing people together, engaging in important conversations and getting everyone to think about the impact of their work.”
Trent begins her new role Aug. 26. She replaces Frank Neville, who is leaving to become the chief of staff at Georgia Tech.
Trent will work closely with Holton, the leadership team and the Board of Visitors to ensure that Mason continues its extraordinary progress and remains one of the best public research universities in Virginia.
“I am excited to be a part of the wonderful things that are happening here at the commonwealth's most diverse university,” Trent said.