Dr. Marcella Runell Hall serves as the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students and Lecturer in Religion at Mount Holyoke College.  Her roots at NYU began as a graduate student working with residential leadership.  Marcella is the co-editor of a new book entitled UnCommon Bonds: Women Reflect on Race & Friendship with Kersha Smith; more resources can be foundL www.uncommonbondsbook.com.

In the Division of Student Life, Marcella oversees Athletics, Residential Life, Health, Counseling, Religious & Spiritual Life, Community & Inclusion and Student Programs. She has co-created programs and initiatives such as the MoZone Diversity Peer Education program, Be Well Mount Holyoke, worked with her team to revamp New Student Orientation. Recently she developed and taught a first year seminar course on The Meaning of Friendship.

Prior to coming to Mount Holyoke Marcella was the founding Co-director for the Of Many Institute for Multifaith Leadership at New York University with Yael Shy. She was also the recipient of the NYU 2013–2014 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Faculty Award. The prestigious award recognizes faculty members who exemplify the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through their excellent teaching, leadership, social justice work, and community building. Marcella served as the program advisor/founder for the minor in multifaith and spiritual leadership. 

Marcella has edited three books which focus on social justice curriculum, The Hip-Hop Education Guidebook: Volume 1 (2007) with Martha Diaz,