Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Newsletter

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Dear Golden Eagles,

As we approach the Thanksgiving break, I have several updates I’d like to share with you. First, after months of searching, OEDI has a new assistant director! Please help me welcome Charlotte Wade to the SUNY Brockport community.

Charlotte is an experienced DEI practitioner and educator with nearly ten years of experience in higher education. Their background includes roles in disability services, multicultural life, and LGBTQ+ life. Prior to this role, Charlotte served as the Assistant Diversity Officer at SUNY Cortland. They hold an MA in Higher Education Administration from Stony Brook University, a BA in Gender Studies from Mount Holyoke College, and an AA in Liberal Arts from Cottey College. Charlotte grew up in the Binghamton area and has spent most of her adulthood living in and around Rochester. Charlotte will join the Brockport community on Thursday, December 5, 2024.

I’d like to thank Drs. Catie Lalonde, Jennifer Ratcliff, Janee Slade and Mr. Don Bigelow for serving on the search committee. I appreciate the time and hard work you have given in this process.

Here are additional items of note:

EDI Strategic Plan Ratification Process:

On behalf of the OEDI and the EDI Strategic Plan Committee, I have begun the ratification process for the new 2024-2029 EDI Strategic Plan with our shared governance bodies. I have already met with and received support from the Cabinet. I have also presented the plan to Brockport’s University Senate and look to conclude the ratification process with them in December. This Friday, November 22nd I will present the new plan to Brockport Student Government. I’ll wrap up the ratification process with the College Council in December with the goal of having the plan ratified by the end of the semester.

Annual Diversity Conference:

The 23rd Annual Diversity Conference Planning Committee began the planning process for next year’s Diversity Conference on Wednesday April 2, 2025. The theme for the conference is “Uniting our Communities for an Inclusive Brockport.” If you are interested in serving on the planning committee, please contact Susan Osher at: sosher@brockport.edu. Additional information to follow.

Faculty Diversity Fellows:

Faculty Diversity Fellow Dr. Carl Davila Associate Professor of History is seeking participants for his Crisis in the Middle East: Every Story to Be Heard Project.

The expanding war in the Middle East has taken a terrible toll in lives and livelihoods. At times like these, it is important to remember our humanity. The Every Story to Be Heard Project is designed to do just that.

Has the war touched your life in some way?Do you have a personal connection to one of the countries affected by the crisis in the Middle East (Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, and Iran)? Dr. Davila is looking for community members - students, faculty, staff, and administration - who have a story about the human side of the conflict they are willing to share.

If you’re interested in participating and would like more information, contact Faculty Diversity Fellow Carl Dávila at: cdavila@brockport.edu, or 585-395-5699.

PED Grant Deadline:

Proposals for the PED Grant are due by November 25, 2024. To learn more about the grant and/or to apply, please go to the PED Grant page on the OEDI website.

Brown Bag Lunch and Learn:

On November 22, 2024, the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion will be hosting a Brown Bag Lunch and Learn presentation, Self-Care for Faculty and Staff: A Restorative Practices Framework.

Participants will experience a community building circle focused on self-care. Participants will be engaged in activities of self-reflection and learn ways to gain work-life balance. The goals of the Self-Care Circle are to make a difference in

• participants feeling less stressed and anxious

• participants sense of overall wellbeing

• participants feeling more connected

• participants feeling more hopeful

If you’re interested in attending, please Register Here!