Rachael Lapidis

Rachael leads the Student Affairs, OAR², and Admissions teams.

• Oversees student recruitment, outreach, admissions, retention, wellness and success
• Strategizes and collaborates to further graduate wellness and growth 
• Serves as primary contact for escalated graduate conduct and academic integrity matters 

If you need assistance with a student of concern, please submit a Triton Concern Form as the first step and also review resources provided by Student Affairs Case Management Services.

Rachael joined GEPA in 2025 after 15 years of UC San Diego experience in student affairs, education innovation, and student data analytics. Rachael relishes being part of an academic community, uplifting student voices, and furthering programs and practices that efficiently support our graduate and professional students' holistic growth and well-being. She received her A.B. in Linguistics and Psychological & Brain Sciences from Dartmouth, and is a proud Triton alum, having received her M.A. in Psychology in 2006.

Rachael reached a life goal of singing in a Disney musical when she was part of the choir in the La Jolla Playhouse's U.S. premiere of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" in 2014 (which featured future Tony winner Michael Arden as Quasimodo and future Hades from "Hadestown" Patrick Page as Frollo among an astounding cast). Further fun fact - her daughter was 2 weeks old at the time of the first rehearsal!