Feb. 5, 2016
Community
the Racquette
5
Message from DIAC Dr. Jennifer Mitchell Contributing Writer
To the SUNY Potsdam Community: The Diversity and Inclusion Action Coalition is appointed by the president. We’d like to introduce you to the members of our Steering Committee which leads DIAC. DIAC’s purpose is to support and initiate conversations, events and reflection on the social diversity of and inclusion for all kinds of people on campus. Please visit www.potsdam.edu/diac to learn more. Below, you can learn more about our Steering Committee members. Please contact them to share concerns, or ask questions or email diac@potsdam.edu . See the current activities of the subcommittees in our Fall 2015 update at http://www.potsdam.edu/about/ diversity/letters.cfm Latesha Fussell, DIAC Chairwoman: fussells@potsdam.edu, 267-3178 As an EOP Counselor, I provide advising and programming for students in the Educational Opportunity Program, which, “provides academic support and financial aid to students who show promise for mastering college-level work, but who may otherwise not be accepted and who qualify both academi-
cally and financially. Students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds are given priority.” I personally like to see everyone notice that we are different, and through our differences we are stronger as a campus community. I want us to strive for equity and inclusion. I want us to have an understanding that we don’t share the same privileges therefore, we need to assist people from where they are. Amanda Grazioso, Chairwoman of DIAC’s Campus Climate, Outreach, and Bias Response Subcommittee: Residence Life, Draime Extension. 315-2672350, grazioaj@potsdam.edu As Assistant Director of Residence Life, I supervise the full time professional staff in the department —Area Coordinators, Residence Directors— and organize the training and development of the RA staff. I also coordinate the residential First Year Experience and work closely with faculty and staff from across campus to foster student learning and retention. At SUNY Potsdam, I would personally like to see a stronger focus on conflict mediation and resolution, not just around issues of diversity, but all difficulties that students — as well as both faculty
and staff — face. Oscar Sarmiento, Chairman of DIAC’s Diversity Planning and Training Subcommittee: Morey 228, 267-2034, sarmieod@potsdam.edu I am the Chairman and a Professor in the Department of Modern Languages. At SUNY Potsdam, I would personally like to see interdisciplinary courses that students take both in their first and last semesters at the college. Actual diversity thinking is fully interdisciplinary. Lonel Woods, Co-chairman of DIAC’s Professional Development and Curriculum Subcommittee. Bishop Hall C325, 2672465, woodsl@potsdam.edu I am an Assistant Professor of Voice and Co-Chair of Performance Department. Libbie Freed, Co-chairwoman of DIAC’s Professional Development and Curriculum Subcommittee: Satterlee 321, 267-2561, freedlj@potsdam.edu I am an Associate Professor of History. Jennifer Mitchell, Chairwoman of DIAC’s Communication and Membership Subcommit-
tee: mitchejk@potsdam.edu My job on campus: I teach courses in composition and applied writing as an Associate Professor of English and Communication. I also direct the College Writing Center. At SUNY Potsdam, I would personally like to see sustained education and dialogue designed to develop the skills and understanding to learn, live, and work in very diverse communities. Jay Pecora, Chairman of DIAC’s Community Outreach Subcommittee 225 PAC, 315-26725457 or pecorajw@potsdam.edu — on sabbatical Spring 2016 I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance and Director of the Theatre Education program. At SUNY Potsdam, I would personally like to see an inclusive greater Potsdam area that is reflective of the national demographics. Susan Stebbins, Member of Community Outreach Subcommittee: Anthropology Department 125 MacVicar Hall, 315267-3372, stebbisa@potsdam.edu I am a Professor in the Anthropology Department. My teaching and research primarily focuses
on the Native peoples of North America, especially gender, education and images in popular culture. At SUNY Potsdam, I would personally like to see the community of SUNY Potsdam think more critically about the broad spectrum of diversity. Louise Tyo, Member of Campus Climate, Outreach, and Bias Response Subcommittee: Center for Diversity, Sisson Hall 223, 315-267-2184, tyola@potsdam. edu I am the Interim Director of the Center for Diversity. The Center for Diversity exists to assist all students, with an emphasis placed on students of color and diverse backgrounds, in their educational and personal transition and development at SUNY Potsdam. At SUNY Potsdam, I would personally like to see continued campus-wide support of our students from underrepresented groups. I’d also like to see increased, interactive faculty and staff training and follow-up assessment to the effectiveness of this training. Juwan Murphy-Rodriguez is currently serving as the Student Representative to the Steering Committee.