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“SUNY Niagara is committed to creating a diverse environment for all of the valued stakeholders within our institutional community. We endeavor to create an atmosphere where people are emboldened to stand up and speak up because their voices will not only heard but respected and responded to.”
– Dr. William J. Murabito, President
Cultivating Diversity in the Classroom and the Workplace
Are you a student who is interested in applying to the SUNY Student Assembly and its EDI task force?
Inclusion Initiatives
The SUNY Niagara Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee was created in September 2016. It serves as an initiative to actively engage the whole college community in recognizing the importance of diversity for assuring the success of all members of our college community, including students, staff, faculty, and administration, in an ever-increasingly global environment.
The 2020-2021 committee members consist of Jonathan Bellomo, Will Brinson, Catherine Brown, Suzanne Buffamanti, Allyson Knuutila-Clark (student), Erika Grande, Chris Herbeck, Angela Jackson, Maurice Jackson (student), Micah Jones, Kareen Klettke, Karen Kwandrans, Pamela Lange, Monica Lopoyda, Brian Marrales*, Arianna Morales (student), Julia Pitman, John D Strong, Rhonda Bivins-Talley, Heather Trumble, Lydia Ulatowski
*Brian Marrales will join us for the remainder of the academic year as a guest member from Niagara University.
Are you interested in contributing to the SUNY Niagara EDI Committee?
Contact John D Strong
Diversity Dialogues
Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15 – October 15
September 15 to October 15 is celebrated nationwide as National Hispanic Heritage Month. It traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans as we celebrate heritage rooted in all Latin American countries. More than 500 years of Hispanic and Latino history and heritage can be found in national parks or shared through National Park Service programs and partners in communities across the country.
Hispanic refers to a person who is from, or a descendant of someone who is from, a Spanish-speaking country.
Latino/a or Latinx refers to a person who is from, or a descendant of someone who is from, a country in Latin America.
During this month and throughout the year, we, and our partners, share history, heritage, and accomplishments of Hispanic and Latino Americans of past and present. Join the conversation on social media by sharing your own inspiration and learning more about Hispanic and Latino heritage by using #HispanicHeritageMonth and #FindYourPark / #EncuentraTuParque.
Clubs & Organizations
Black Student Union
A club where the African American Student can obtain assistance, guidance, and direction concerning their transition to college life. Open to any student. Advisors: Will Brinson, G-242A, 716-614-6258 and Angela Jackson, G-225, 716-614-5979.
Cru at SUNY Niagara
The purpose of this chapter is to build movements of people who are transformed by Jesus Christ. The student-led movements seek to introduce students to Christ, help them to grow in faith, encourage them to passionately live life in a manner consistent with belief in the God of the Bible, and inspire commitment to advancing the purposes of God in the world. Advisor: Ryan Sessman | D-201 | 716-614-6724
Pride Alliance
Provides informal peer group support to discuss concerns of sexual minorities. Advisor: Jesse Goldberg, D-102N, 716-614-6741 and Laurie Johnston-Stickney, E-130, 716-614-6750.
Veterans Association
The veterans club is open to all students and host events such as the Veterans Day Ceremony, overseas care packages, and fundraising to upgrade our Veterans Memorial Park (located near the main entrance of the campus). Advisor: Joseph Potalivo, B-103, 716-614-6283.
Course List
| Course | Attribute | Credits | Semester | Faculty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COM 210: Intercultural Communication | 3 | Spring 2021 | Surdyke | |
| HIS 210: Native American History | OW / AH | 3 | Fall 2021 or Spring 2022 | Fisher |
| HIS 255: Holocausts: From Rome to Rwanda | SS | 3 | Spring 2021 | Clarcq |
| HON 103: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion | 1 | Spring 2021 | Lange | |
| HUS/EDU 120 Disabilities: Birth Through Adolescence | 3 | Spring 2021 | Oberjosh/Hamilton | |
| HUS/EDU 210 Anti-Bias in Early Childhood Education | 3 | Spring 2021 | Gress | |
| HUS 122 Disabilities & Aging | OER | 3 | Spring 2021 | Oberjosh |
| HUS 217 Diversity in Chemical Dependency Counseling | OER | 3 | Spring 2021 | Oberjosh |
| LIT 222: Contemporary World Literature | H | 3 | Spring 2021 | Pietrzykowski |
| LIT 231: African American Literature | H | 3 | Fall 2021 | Varies |
| LIT 233: Native American Literature | H | 3 | Spring 2021 | Sharma |
| MUS 130: Urban Music: BeBop to Hip-Hop | AR | 3 | Fall 2021 as CAP course in Lockport HS | |
| SOC 203: Social Problems (spring ’21 by A. Pollard) | SS | 3 | Spring 2021 | Pollard |
| SOC 260: Sociology of the Family | SS | 3 | Spring 2021 | Pollard |
| SOC 270: Community Studies | SS | 3 | Spring 2021 | Johnson |
| SSC 111: Gender, Sexuality and Culture | Spring 2021 | Oberjosh | ||
| THA 110: Black Drama and Film | AR / H | 3 | Fall 2021 | Buffamanti |
Highlights
Topic: Mindfully Resolving Cross-Cultural Conflicts in the Classroom recording
Description: So often, our educators, counselors, and administrators want to learn how to mindfully resolve cross-cultural conflicts, but are stuck in trying to answer some very familiar questions, “How do we create an atmosphere where every member is seen and valued? What if a cross-cultural conflict escalates and polarizes everyone in the room? What if I’m part of the problem? If I don’t even know about my own culture, how can I help someone else discover and celebrate theirs?” What if it starts to get really emotional, what should I do? It’s time we move beyond the simplicity of thinking that diversity awareness can only be expressed through our foods, costumes, and dances, to understanding that it is our spiritual, emotional, and traditional differences that are the untold and uncharted territory begging to be honored, valued and integrated into our classrooms, counseling and administrative practices.
Date: Wednesday, September 1, 2021
Links: https://youtu.be/NxsbFVSo0s4, The Art of Mindful Inquiry, Conflict Facilitation Training Handbook
Topic: Observing Juneteenth
Description: Juneteenth commemorates our country’s second independence day on June 19th, 1865. Although it has long been celebrated in the African American community, this monumental event remains largely unknown to most Americans. The historical legacy of Juneteenth shows the value of never giving up hope in uncertain times. The National Museum of African American History and Culture (link below) is a community space where this spirit of hope lives on. A place where historical events like Juneteenth are shared and new stories with equal urgency are told.
Date: Saturday, June 19, 2021
Links: ADL Texas Juneteenth Celebration 2021 Video, Historical Legacy of Juneteenth, Celebrating Juneteenth
Topic: Faith and Facts Fireside Chats
Description: An important conversation with Grammy-Award-winning recording artist, Regina Belle, CEO of the Black Coalition Against COVID-19, Dr. Reed Tuckson, and faith leaders from around the country to discuss balancing faith with facts as we navigate our COVID-19 vaccination journeys.
Start Time: Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 7pm ET / 6pm CT / 4pm PT
Registration: RSVP at bit.ly/AARPCall
Topic: Diversity Dialogue #3: 3 Lessons of Revolutionary Love in a Time of Rage with Valerie Kaur
Start Time: Friday, April 16th at 12pm
Meeting Recording:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/bVnVOlAS7PGdo5_iQQ7oha8XXeWSYjNxiVpMZBfIc3IbTAgCf_D9wf5CwplgB3AM.jwv7Id_ZQQrfWwWl
Access Passcode: $*@n20SD
Topic: Present Day Freedom Seekers and The Power of our Stories
Start Time: Feb 17, 2021 12:08pm
Meeting Recording:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/DIs8hCIwMhyqAiDQH-bPp7emv6CjHOos0aWtes_3D9Gi2-ZNeYVxKiMN5mhjG7eo.59USx8M2OHTgOZUu
Access Passcode: z@14kDUo
Topic: A Non-Binary Transition with Sage Skyler
Start Time: Oct 30, 2020 01:45 PM
Meeting Recording:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/aGicJWMN7InxKE6HugufzR8iR7b1RWhVO8Kf82ViqlnkX9yDGXLHimcP_e8Qns7L.R7JEmQtb9pzWIKAx
Access Passcode: 1&sV0g7#
Topic: Diversity Dialogue #1: My Identity is My Superpower!
Start Time: Sep 29, 2020 12:25 PM
Meeting Recording:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/Yrv0KfpFuthqwLItSfvdotIreSn5dXRIQ1joXLr_9aicr6zKxb8Om7PU-uHywPkC.B1K3Yk0vtBx7scGc
Access Passcode: j4!rQdhi
Mission, Vision, & Core Values
- Mission – The EDI Committee strives to ensure that underrepresented and economically disadvantaged populations will be recognized and connected to the SUNY Niagara community. Through intentionally designed strategies, academic offerings, policies, and practices, the College will work to empower these groups toward successful outcomes. The Committee supports the College in building a diverse and inclusive space where historically marginalized populations are valued.
- Vision – SUNY Niagara’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee aspires to build lasting partnerships between students, employees, and the Niagara County community in the journey of education both inside and outside of the classroom. Through these efforts, our College will continually strive to support inclusiveness, celebrate diversity, and insist on equity for all.
- Core Values – Constancy, integrity, transparency, cultural fluency, student-centeredness, accessibility, collegiality, and lifelong learning inform our institution’s work to ensure that SUNY Niagara graduates demonstrate global awareness, civic engagement, appreciation of differences, and diversity, civility, ethics, and aesthetics.
Scholarships
Workforce Development Program
Services provided to eligible Native Americans
The NACS Workforce Development Program is committed to assisting tribal members in finding meaningful jobs through counseling, education, and training, as well as small business development and technical assistance to achieve economic self-sufficiency and improve quality of life. The services we provide include:
- 6-week Work Experience program.
- Assistance in identifying barriers to employment.
- Career counseling/exploration.
- Case Management related to workforce activities.
- Educational resources and information.
- Entrepreneurial/Small business technical assistance training information.
- Follow-up services.
- Interviewing preparation.
- Job search and placement assistance.
- Occupational skills training/Skills upgrade.
- On-the-job training.
- Referral and linkage services.
- Referrals to SEASONS Program.
- Status Card/Tribal documentation assistance.
- Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) classes—formerly GED.
- Tuition Assistance.
Resource links
- The State Education Department: Request Native Am Aid 2017 (nysed.gov)
- Native American Western Consortium: Native American SUNY: Western Consortium | Fredonia.edu
- Native American Community Services: Workforce Development Program (nacswny.org)
For further information on scholarships, please visit our ‘How to apply‘ for scholarships webpage.
Spotlight
Spotlight
Collin Lacki ‘21
Music major at SUNY Niagara
“…the shift to online is difficult with a lot of platforms not being accessible.” However, Collin does note that SUNY Niagara is providing him with the support he needs to overcome these challenges. Lacki is a student advocate on our SUNY Niagara campus. He was elected to the SUNY Niagara Student Government Association, serves as secretary/treasurer for the New York State Association of Blind Students and serves on the newly formed SUNY Student Voices Action Committee, which is working towards accessibility across New York state. Listen to his cares and concerns, along with the rest of his WBFO interview. We applaud his passionate advocacy.
John D Strong
Chief Diversity and Equity Officer
Phone: 716-614-5900
Email: jstrong@niagaracc.suny.edu
Location: H-162
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