Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Inclusive Excellence is an intentional effort that is made to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into the core efforts, programs, policies, and practices in higher education. SUNY Plattsburgh is committed to centralized diverse structures and equitable practices that promote the success and wellbeing of each member of our community. 

As originally articulated by the Association of American Colleges & Universities in 2005, the dimensions of the “Inclusive Excellence Framework” that have been adopted by SUNY Plattsburgh include: 

Access & Success

Identification and Removal of Barriers — As reflected in the recruitment and retention of students, faculty, staff, vendors, donors, etc.

Climate & Intergroup Relations

Climate — As evidenced by how members of the campus feel about, and are supported in, their educational pursuits, work environment, local and regional community. 

Education & Scholarship

Curriculum and Research — The core of the university’s mission as evidenced by its commitment to truth-telling, diversity, equity and inclusion, and dismantling of false and harmful narratives. 

Infrastructure & Investment

Structure and Accountability — Strategic planning initiatives, critical investments, scholarship and grant opportunities that are steeped in ethical practices and social justice frameworks and reinforced by campus and community partnerships. These structures must provide equal access and opportunity to all community members including populations that have been historically marginalized. 

Community & Partnership

Innovation and Partnerships — Intentional collaborative practices designed to increase capacity-building of SUNY Plattsburgh and our local community in the hopes of spurring our local economy to make us stronger and well-positioned to prepare graduates and their families for the dynamic and diverse world in which we live. 

At SUNY Plattsburgh, we know that diversity is more than race, sex, gender, and sexual orientation. It is the full range of human experiences.

Diversity includes age, class, ethnicity, race, gender identity, gender expression, romantic orientation, nationality, (dis)ability, religion, sexual orientation, language, personality, communication style, work style, veteran status and more.

Mission

At SUNY Plattsburgh, it is our mission to promote equity for all members of the campus community by leading efforts and creating partnerships that cultivate an inclusive academic institution.

Vision

SUNY Plattsburgh will promote equity through:

• Access to learning experiences that include the development of programs, policies, and initiatives with alumni, faculty, staff, students, and the external community. 
• Increasing the recruitment and retention of diverse students, faculty and staff who feel they are valued and visible. 
• Creating data sets and effectively managing equity gaps to assist in developing holistic initiatives that have a positive impact on our campus culture, student and employee success.

Community

SUNY Plattsburgh recognizes that building and fostering a healthy community is vital in enhancing diversity and inclusive practices, on and off-campus.

Academic Enrichment

We embrace academic achievement which helps our students build awareness of the diverse world in which we live. As a liberal arts institution, we encourage diverse learning experiences while offering different perspectives in and outside of the classroom to contribute to student, staff, and faculty development. We also embrace and promote faculty scholarship and research designed to promote the truth and to dismantle false narratives. 

Respect & Integrity

Respect compels us to exercise integrity and the recognition of the human dignity of all despite a broad range of individual experiences and perspectives. We vow to exercise each, despite our differences.

Diversity

SUNY Plattsburgh makes a commitment to expand opportunities to broaden the diversity of faculty, staff, students, and visitors to our campus. We commit to the importance of offering diverse educational opportunities that recognize multiple backgrounds, learning styles, and work to offer learning that bridges gaps of misunderstanding. We also commit to understanding our own limitations as it relates to understanding unconscious and hidden bias.  

Inclusion

We recognize that our campus is composed of students, faculty, and staff from a wide range of diverse and unique backgrounds. We embrace our community members and pledge to provide a campus environment that celebrates the intersection of identities and experiences that make us all unique and worthy.

New Visions

SUNY Plattsburgh recognizes that each new year brings new energy, ideas, and members to our campus community. We vow to stay open to new ideas and opportunities to continue to expand and enrich our services and educational opportunities.

Accountability & Responsibility

SUNY Plattsburgh holds an expectation that we have a responsibility as individuals and as an institution to uphold campus values and exercise power with good intent. When a member of the campus community or the institution fails to do so, we make a commitment to hold one another accountable with a focus on social justice, restoration, and healing.

Leadership

SUNY Plattsburgh understands that a major component of student and employee success is connected to positive and transformative leadership. We commit to making an effort to expand upon opportunities for mentorship, positive role-modeling, and sustainable leadership which fosters trust, growth, and resilience.

Student Centered (Sustainability)

SUNY Plattsburgh strives to put its students first when making decisions that will leave a lasting impact on their education and experiences. SUNY Plattsburgh strives to lay a strong foundation that will continue to adapt and support future students’ ever-changing needs.

We honor the original caretakers of this and surrounding lands and offer respect to the Haudenosaunee, who are still here. 

• David M. Fryson, Esq., Interim Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Jennifer Bleaux, Administrative Assistant II
  • Michael Thompson, Affirmative Action Officer/Special Projects Coordinator
  • Kim Irland, Interim Manager of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion/Title IX Coordinator/Interim Title VI Officer
    • Chris Chamars, Coordinator of Multicultural Initiatives
    • Vacant, Multicultural Student Success Coach