CofC Faces to Know: Deronda Washington
Meet Deronda C. Washington, director of fraternity and sorority life at the College of Charleston.
Name: Deronda C. Washington
Hometown: Charleston, South Carolina
Education/Background: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Winthrop University, MBA from Webster University and currently pursing my Ed.D. in Learning and Inquiry in Practice at the College of Charleston.
Job title: Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life
How long have you worked at the College? In totality 11 years. From 2008–11 I was instrumental in starting the Office of Institutional Diversity under the leadership of John Bello-Ogunu. I have worked in the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life since 2017.
What are your job responsibilities? My primary responsibility is to direct, manage and oversee the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. I supervise amazing staff and our FSL community. I provide training and personal development in leadership, risk management and chapter operations to our FSL community. My goal is to ensure our community is filled with students who have found their sense of belonging while they contribute in meaningful ways to their campus community.
What do you like most about your job? I love being able to see my students grow in the areas of leadership. Most students come in to our community very “green” and they graduate strong confident leaders.
What question do you get asked most in your job and what’s your typical answer? I typically get asked from non-CofC individuals about the “fun and hoopla” that appears to come with the job. I assume because they often hear me talk about the fun things with students, they often miss the more serious things like leadership trainings, member development, risk management and event planning efforts.
What’s your favorite location on campus and why? My favorite location is the Higdon Center porch! No matter the time of day, the swing on the porch and the ringing of the Pi Kappa Phi bell, together with the sounds of tour guys and the busyness of Coming Street, set the stage for what CofC is truly.
What are your hobbies? I enjoying singing, crafting and being a dance mom. I own a T-shirt design company, and this is my creative outlet.
What personal and/or professional accomplishment are you most proud of? I am most proud of completing my first two semesters as a doctoral candidate in the inaugural cohort for the Ed.D. program.
Name a creative work (book, movie, performance, etc.) you enjoyed recently and why? I love the arts! I enjoy attending performances at the Gaillard Center. My hands-down favorite performance is Alvin Ailey!
What was your favorite TV show growing up? This is difficult. I loved shows like The Cosby Show, A Different World and Living Single. All these shows showed Black excellence all the while puiquing my interest in college life, because they all encouraged education and high family values.
What’s next on your bucket list? I definitely want to stamp my passport and keep a mission trip to South Africa in 2026.
What is something your campus colleagues would be surprised to know about you? OMG!! Lol. They would be surprised that I am an introvert! My job requires that I am outgoing, however it takes a while for me to refuel after being around large crowds or events that require full energy mode! lol
What was your first job? My first job was babysitting a set of twins in my neighborhood.
What’s your favorite Lowcountry restaurant? I’m a Lowcountry girl, born and raised, and I have not found a restaurant that I truly love, as I believe my mother and grandmother were the best Southern cooks ever. I love Oak Steakhouse for the best steak.
Describe your perfect day: A perfect day is cool weather and a stroll in downtown Charleston with my husband and daughter.
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