The Faculty Diversity Fellowship is designed to support faculty research interests that align with the mission of the Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (OEDI). Though a similar program existed pre-Covid, the 2023-24 academic year saw the first fellows since the pandemic, with Chief Diversity Officer Damita Davis leading the revitalized program.
This past year, OEDI supported two fellows whose projects have had a notable impact on the campus community. Selected fellows received a course release for one academic year, as well as a small stipend to use towards project expenses.
Associate professor of history Michael Kramer conducted a project on Fannie Barrier Williams, the first black woman to graduate from SUNY Brockport. Kramer utilized his undergraduate classes to conduct a deep dive into Williams’ life, highlighting her contributions to civil rights and women’s suffrage.
“[Kramer] wanted to expand beyond what we typically hear about Fannie Barrier Williams, looking at the totality of her life, from birth to when she passed away, and the type of work that she did across the country,” explained Davis. “Being able to have documented information through conducting historical research to look at the totality of this person’s life, we can add depth to the story of who she was.”
The second fellowship recipient, Jennifer Ratcliffe in the Department of Psychology, focused on supporting the transgender community at SUNY Brockport. Her project aimed to understand students’ sense of belonging based on their gender identity and develop bystander intervention strategies for addressing trans bias. Ratcliffe’s work will continue through the 2024-25 academic year as she conducts focus groups to gain more in-depth information about what makes students feel that they belong.
“[This research] provides Brockport a baseline for of information about members of the LGBTQ community, particularly trans individuals, and how they’re navigating being at Brockport. It helps us determine if we have the right resources and support services available.” Davis said. “Then part of my role would be to advocate for the resources needed if gaps are identified.”
Davis notes that not only does the fellowship program provide the university with valuable information and insight into campus diversity efforts and culture, it also aids in forming partnerships between OEDI and the academic departments they work with.
“We’re demonstrating that, while we have a focus on equity, diversity, inclusion, and we are also supporting the academic side of the enterprise by financially funding and providing the time faculty need to work on these projects.”