Spartan Echo News
10
By Carlos Tankard
Dean Marable Retires
After over 40 years of service, Michelle Marable retired as the Norfolk State University Dean of Students on February 1st, 2024.
As the Dean of Students, her responsibilities included helping students navigate university processes, policies and procedures as well as helping students eliminate obstacles that might impede their progress. She strived to reduce the obstacles facing students and clear every student’s path toward to reach graduation. “I do everything, to be honest, because this job requires a lot of collaboration across the entire campus and I love it,” stated Dean Marable.
With a background in communications, she began her journey working at Norfolk State as an admissions counselor. “The university was looking for someone to help with marketing and recruitment.” stated Marable. From there, she collected several hats, serving as the Assistant Director of Admissions, Associate Director of Admissions, Director of Admissions, Director of New Student Orientation, and Customer Care, Director of Student Advocacy, and finally her latest role as the Dean of Students. “My broad background really helped me become a jack of all trades when it comes to helping students be successful,” she stated
Her love for Norfolk State guided her to bring her career to the university. As a Norfolk State University alumni, she had a passion for being the change for others and knew that NSU was the place for her. “We never know in life where God will lead us, but I know that this is a passion and I know that this is where I was supposed to be in terms of making a difference in the lives of others,” Marable stated.
Marable was a very active member of the spartan community. As Miss Norfolk State University, she made sure to reach out to the outside community. After undergraduate studies, she left Virginia and attended Ohio State where she then went on to work as a Women's News Editor and General Assignment Reporter.
Eventually, she returned to Norfolk State to begin her career with the university. She attributes her family's ties to the university as fueling her desire to work at6 NSU. “We are at Norfolk State University Family… everyone has attended there and everybody supports NSU full fledge,” stated Dean Marable.
Retirement will not stop Marable from giving back to her community. “I still plan on giving back to the youth and helping them to reach their goals.” She plans to volunteer with her church to help with the Freedom Academy through the Children's Defense Fund.
She hopes her legacy here at NSU continues through the Student Ambassador program which she started 40 years ago. She wants this to continue because it has made a lasting impact on student decisions in deciding where they want to go to school.
“We find that students listen to what other students have to say. It is really the deciding factor in students making the decision to go here [Norfolk State],” States marable.
She also wants to continue the “Ideal Spartan” which is a student who is selected each semester who represents the values of an ideal spartan. This consists of: pride, integrity, engagement, curiosity, and excellence.
“I feel that all of our students are Ideal Spartans and it is a wonderful thing to acknowledge and reward them for their achievements. It gives that something extra,”
Dean Marable wants NSU to know that it is a wonderful institution, in helping students see their path forward and to help them realize their goals.
“Keep helping them [Students] lean into hope. Let them know that they can go from limping to leaping. Because sometimes when you are down you can bounce back even higher. Behold, the green and gold.”