Tadarrayl M. Starke

Vice Provost for Student Success

Office of the Provost

Dr. Tadarrayl Starke serves as Vice Provost for Student Success at the University of Connecticut, where he leads efforts to advance a holistic, accessible, and equity-centered approach to student success across the university. He began this role in July 2024 after serving as Associate Vice Provost for Student Success, where he helped oversee key student support areas including First-Year Programs and Learning Communities, the Academic Achievement Center, and the Center for Access & Postsecondary Success.

In his current role, Dr. Starke provides executive leadership for UConn’s student success efforts across the system. His portfolio includes undergraduate advising, first-year experience, learning communities, academic support, pre-college and TRIO initiatives, STEM success, first-generation student support, and programs that strengthen student access, transition, belonging, retention, and timely graduation.

With more than 20 years of progressive experience in higher education, Dr. Starke has dedicated his career to expanding access, educational equity, persistence, and graduation for students, with particular focus on first-generation college students, low-income students, and others historically underserved in higher education. Drawing on leadership experience across both two-year and four-year institutions, his professional background includes data-informed strategy, fiscal stewardship, grant development, student engagement programming, and collaboration across academic affairs, student affairs, enrollment, advancement, and shared governance.

Before joining UConn, Dr. Starke held senior student success leadership roles focused on supporting first-generation students and others traditionally underrepresented in higher education. His work has included oversight of pre-collegiate programs, student transition and engagement initiatives, advising and success coaching, financial aid administration, post-graduation preparation, assessment and evaluation, and the development of initiatives that support students from middle school through college graduation and beyond.

Dr. Starke earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Master’s in Higher Education, and Doctorate in Higher Education Administration. His leadership reflects a deep commitment to creating environments in which students can thrive academically, socially, and personally.