Jump to Footer

Two Colleges to Host North Country Diversity Conference


A call to increase global experiences and multicultural competencies, as well as to build community connections has resulted in a new event: The More Things Change: North Country Diversity Conference.

The conference — which had its genesis in the competencies and connections called for by SUNY Plattsburgh's new campus plan — is a joint effort between SUNY Plattsburgh at Queensbury and SUNY Adirondack.

It will be held June 19 and 20, in the J. Buckley Bryan Regional Education Center at 640 Bay Road in Queensbury and will bring together community and academic leaders from business, law, health, social services, education and nonprofits.

The inaugural conference is designed to study the current state of diversity, multicultural competencies and community relationships. Future conferences will focus on the development of new strategies for growth.

Questions asked will include the following: “What changes in demographics do we expect in the North Country?” “How are government and non-profit agencies adjusting to diversity?” “What type of leadership is needed in North Country?” “Can we integrate people with developmental disorders like autism?” “How can we research diversity to improve practices?”

Speakers include Deputy Secretary of State for Local Government Dierdre Scozzafava, who will discuss trends in diversity; Dr. Elie Chrysostome, CEDIMES USA director and SUNY Plattsburgh business professor, who will speak of the importance of entrepreneur-immigrants; Heather Hickland and Sheileen Landrey of the World Awareness Children’s Museum with a look at multicultural knowledge and artistic expression in childhood education; Dr. Doug Huntley, Queensbury school superintendent talking about poverty and diversity in upstate New York schools; Dr. J. W. Wiley, of SUNY Plattsburgh's Center for Diversity, Pluralism and Inclusion, looking at the use of discriminatory language, and Dr. John Rugge, founder and CEO of Hudson Headwaters Network, who will join a panel discussion on economic diversity.

The event will also include information-sharing tables from the Warren Washington Mental Health Association, Community Work and Independence and the Family YMCA of Glens Falls Area.

Costs will be covered by the Plattsburgh College Foundation's Grant and Sally Webb Endowment Fund.

Individuals wishing to join in the discussion should register for the conference by contacting Lynn Hughes at 518-792-5425 or [email protected].

Back to top