Vrinda Varia
Associate Chief Diversity Officer for Intercultural Student Life
(she/her/hers)
Vrinda Varia is from Princeton, New Jersey and attended Bryn Mawr College for a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, with a concentration in Peace, Conflict, and Social Justice and she had minor in Spanish. Vrinda later obtained her Master’s degree in Social Work with a macro focus from the University of Pennsylvania. In her free time, Vrinda enjoys reading or “binge-watching some obscure TV show.” She is also a big fan of sending snail mail and cooking up meals for friends and family with “non-judgmental taste buds.”
For Vrinda, the best part of Grinnell College is the people. She adds that she is “so appreciative to be working with and amongst a group of wildly thoughtful and critical students, faculty, and staff.”
Vrinda’s main areas of responsibility include overseeing the PCPOP (Peer Community Pre-Orientation Program) and First-Year Impact program as well as providing leadership for identity-based support and mentoring groups. Vrinda also works as a part of the Academic Advising team, and meets with students to develop plans and strategies for success.
Vrinda's office is located on the third floor of the Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center, but Intercultural Affairs is also located on the second floor of the Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center, in the Multicultural Suites. There are various student groups who use the area to meet and plan for events. For more information, stop by the office Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or call 641-269-3700.