Educación / Education AIC Appoints Bianca Figueroa-Santana as Director of New DEIB Office

SPRINGFIELD, MA | AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE |

January 18, 2023 – American International College (AIC)-is taking a major step toward implementing its diversity and equity objectives with the establishment of an Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB).

The College also announces the appointment of Bianca Figueroa-Santana as director of this newly created office, effective February 1, 2023. In her former role as AIC’s assistant director of Diversity Education, Figueroa-Santana demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the work and principles of DEIB.

Bianca Figueroa-Santana will lead AIC’s new Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Coordinator

Figueroa-Santana says she is eager to get to work with faculty, staff, and students to assess the College’s current DEIB infrastructure, look at perceived barriers, and author a DEIB plan that includes initiatives for strengthening the College’s infrastructure as outlined in its new five-year strategic plan AIC Reimagined. “I am excited to step into the role of Director of the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. This is a pivotal moment for the College in its journey to ensure our diverse community feels a sense of inclusion on campus. This new office not only reaffirms the College’s commitment to DEIB but also empowers us to make positive changes on campus through thoughtful programming and targeted initiatives.”

AIC President Hubert Benitez, DDS, PhD Hubert Benitez congratulates Figueroa-Santana on her new role, and adds, “We look forward to supporting Bianca as she takes on this new and important responsibility. By continuing to work together, we will transform the AIC climate to ensure we create an environment where we all belong and can thrive.” The creation of the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is made possible, partly, by two recent grants; One for $30,000 awarded to AIC by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, and another for $35,000 from the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation

Founded in 1885, American International College (AIC) is a private, co-educational, doctoral-granting institution in Springfield, Massachusetts comprising the School of Business, Arts and Sciences, the School of Health Service, and the School of Education. AIC supports and advances education, diversity, and opportunity for its students and the community.