Tadarrayl Starke

Vice Provost for Student Success

Dr. Tadarrayl Starke serves as the inaugural Vice Provost for Student Success at the University of Connecticut, where he leads university-wide efforts to enhance academic achievement, persistence, and graduation outcomes for all students. With more than two decades of experience in higher education, Dr. Starke is a dedicated advocate for educational equity, with a deep commitment to supporting students who are historically underrepresented in higher education, including first-generation college students.

Before joining UConn, Dr. Starke served as Director and Department Chair of the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE) at Florida State University. There, he oversaw a team of more than 300 staff and coordinated a comprehensive portfolio of programs serving nearly 1,800 students annually. His leadership encompassed FSU’s Summer Bridge Program, academic advising and life coaching, financial literacy initiatives, graduate school preparation, and support services for students from foster care and homeless backgrounds. He also directed several federal TRIO programs and cultural honor societies. During his time at FSU, Dr. Starke secured more than $8 million in external funding and managed a $3 million annual budget to advance student success and access.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Starke held leadership roles at Tallahassee Community College, Florida A&M University, and the City of Tallahassee, where he focused on pre-collegiate outreach and support for low-income and underserved students.

Dr. Starke earned his Doctor of Education and Master of Science degrees in Higher Education, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in African American Studies. He also holds certificates in Institutional Research and College Teaching. A proud first-generation college graduate, Dr. Starke is guided by a personal and professional mission to build inclusive support structures that promote academic opportunity and student success for all.

He is supported by his wife, Tiffany, and their two daughters, Trinity and Tristen.