Statements of that sort are meant to be acknowledgement that systemic racism is universal and perpetuates through us at the individual level, and usually in ways far more subtle than police brutality or the use of racial slurs.

One of the most anti-racist things that one can do is acknowledge the racism in themselves, and keep that in mind and in check when making decisions that affect others. Never trust when someone says they are absolutely not racist - it's something we all struggle with because of our shared conditioning.

A Dean saying they are racist and a "gatekeeper of white supremacy" is just acknowledging that through the power of their position, thet exercise a system that furthers white privilege.

If anything, that Dean should be applauded for confronting and acknowledging their own role in racist systems.

All the same, I can acknowledge that part of me becomes somewhat racist when walking through a less white part of town at night (and I'm not white).