Raphaella Prange, Ed.D.

Vice President of Student Life

Maryville University

With over 27 years of professional experience in Higher Education, Raphaella Prange is a trailblazer in the field, driven by her unwavering commitment to removing barriers to student success. As a first-generation college student and the child of a Latin-American immigrant, Raphaella’s passion for education is deeply rooted in her personal journey. Raphaella’s academic achievements include a B.A. in Interpersonal Communication from DePauw University, an M.S. in Student Affairs Administration from Indiana State University, and an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Maryville University. These experiences laid the foundation for her remarkable career, which began at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and flourished during her 24-year tenure at Millikin University.

At Millikin, Raphaella made an indelible impact, serving in various roles within Student Affairs, including as Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs. Her visionary leadership led to the implementation of groundbreaking initiatives, including the Gallup Strengths Campus Initiative, the development of a student retention strategy and predictive model, and the supervision of the university-wide Marketing and Communications division. Raphaella’s unwavering dedication and expertise were particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, as she skillfully navigated the university’s response to this unprecedented challenge. Additionally, she served as Title IX Coordinator for over a decade, ensuring a safe and equitable environment for all students.

Since joining Maryville University, St. Louis in June 2023, Raphaella has continued to make significant strides. She has built a thriving student affairs team that has successfully increased campus engagement and fostered a strong sense of belonging among students. Under her guidance, a comprehensive student wellness strategy has been developed and implemented, and the residential program has grown significantly.

Raphaella is also a passionate servant leader within her community and in movements and organizations that serve youth and address disparities. Her involvement includes PK-12 school boards and committees, energy-efficiency organizations, children’s museums, housing corporation boards, and boards of higher-education master’s programs.

Raphaella’s dissertation, “Familismo and Latina College Graduates: How Cultural Norms and Capital Influence Collegiate Experiences and Outcomes”, was successfully defended in December 2025. Her research focuses on how post-secondary institutions can use the Latin American construct of familismo to improve the experiences and outcomes of Latina college students.

Raphaella is the mother of two college-aged children and the matriarch of her extended family. She is a fashionista, animal lover, avid gardener, theatre geek, and will travel anywhere with a beach.