Dr. Dottie Morris Named SUNY Plattsburgh Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

After a national search this past spring semester, Dr. Dottie Morris, associate vice president for community and equity at Keen State College, Keen, N.H., was chosen SUNY vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion, effective July 6.

“Dr. Morris brings extensive experience as a higher education leader, scholar and advocate whose work has focused on fostering inclusive excellence, student success and community engagement,” said President Alexander Enyedi. “We are excited to welcome her to our campus community and look forward to the leadership and perspective she will bring to this important role.”

Enyedi also expressed appreciation to Dr. David Fryson, who joined the university as interim vice president for DEI Aug. 25, 2025.

“Dr. Fryson’s leadership, guidance and commitment to the university helped ensure continuity in the division while supporting ongoing programs, initiatives and campus engagement efforts,” he said.

Morris brings to campus a wealth of experience in equity and diversity initiatives having served in various roles during her tenure at Keene, including associate vice president for institutional equity and diversity, and as chief officer for diversity and multiculturalism.

As a member of the president’s cabinet, she worked closely with administration, ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion were considered decision-making processes.

Associate Professor of Psychology

Morris, who holds a doctorate in clinical psychology, has never been far from the classroom, maintaining the rank of associate professor of psychology for more than a dozen years at the New Hampshire institution. She has taught at Dartmouth College, Youth Leadership School for International Training Graduate Institute in Brattleboro, Vt., and at Antioch University New England in Keene, N.H., among others.

SUNY Plattsburgh first caught Morris’ eye during the search process because of its “commitment to continue to use the terms diversity, equity and inclusion given the current social and political climate,” she said.

“I wanted to continue to work in an environment where the principles, spirit and values associated with those terms continued to be embraced. I wanted to be a part of an organization that continues to realize the diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are essential to academic excellence,” she said.

‘Effective Leaders in Communities’

She said that when students acquire the skills necessary to meet the needs of those they will serve, “they are able to be effective leaders in their communities with a consciousness rooted in the understanding of how their actions will have an impact on others.”

While Morris said she wants to honor the things done at SUNY Plattsburgh in the past, she also wants to build on that foundation.

“In some places I am sure the foundation is firm, while other places there may need to be some repairs, and other places we might have to reconstruct,” she said. “The principles, spirit and values will be used to guide the process since effective outcomes must be congruent with process of getting to those outcomes.”

Will Ask ‘Clarifying Questions’

To help accomplish this, Morris said she’ll ask “clarifying questions to make sure I have an understanding of what is being said; I will need to meet with campus partners — students, staff, faculty, administrators — to learn about what has been done and gain perspectives of what needs to be done than co-create a plan to move forward. Open dialogue and clear communications are key elements.”

The Louisiana native and self-professed “very proud GRITS” —  Girl Raised in the South — said she enjoys being around people, which gives her opportunities to learn from others, whether over coffee, tea, a meal or something bigger.

“My favorite thing is to travel to other countries and experience other ways of being in the world,” she said. “I am amazed by all the things I have learned about myself when I am able to step out of my comfort zone.”

Committed to having an open door in her office in DEI in the Angell College Center, Morris said she plans to attend campus-wide events “in order to get a picture of the culture of campus. I want to learn about traditions and how these traditions contribute to belonging.”

— Story, Photo by Associate Director of Communications Gerianne Downs