The House Assistant Dean (HAD) serves on a team responsible for developing, optimizing, and implementing operational policies and procedures for the West Campus House System in cooperation with other units and departments that support the West Campus House System. The HAD works in close partnership with the House Professor-Dean to realize the House mission. The HAD works to advance the educational mission of the West Campus House System through effective partnerships with faculty, University departments, and community organizations, and s/he directs the multiple functions of one House within the West Campus House System.
Perdita Das
House Assistant Dean
106 Hans A. Bethe House
607-255-7019
Perdita grew up in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and immigrated to the U.S. in 2008. While her family settled in Chicago, she attended the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut and earned her B.S. and M.B.A degrees in International Business and Accounting. After college, Perdita served as an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), in Connecticut, North Carolina, and New York. She joined Cornell as the Residence Hall Director of Balch Hall in 2017. Perdita has been serving as the HAD of Bethe House since July 2020 and lives in McFaddin with her two cats, Jasper and Rosemary.
Perdita is excited about working with students of diverse backgrounds, helping them grow as leaders, and bridging their classroom and extracurricular experiences. She is also deeply passionate about sexual violence prevention and survivor advocacy. At Bethe, she works with staff and students to continue to foster an inclusive, engaging, and curious community.
Perdita loves all things Harry Potter and Doctor Who, is fond of eating and cooking spicy food, and absolutely adores animals- especially cats, dogs, and elephants, and is a tattoo enthusiast. And yes, she is a raging Swiftie.