Initiatives & Programs
Welcome to the Initiatives and Programs page of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) at Empire State University. Our purpose is to foster a more inclusive, equitable, and diverse campus community through a variety of targeted programs and strategic initiatives.
This page serves as a landing page and resource for our ongoing efforts to create positive change within Empire State University and beyond. Here, you'll find detailed information about our current initiatives, upcoming programs, opportunities for funding and engagement.
We believe that progress towards a more inclusive environment is a collective endeavor. This resource is designed to support and inform all members of the Empire State University community—students, faculty, staff, and alumni—in our shared commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Whether you're looking to participate in a program, learn about our latest initiatives, or find ways to contribute to our mission, we invite you to explore this page and become an active part of our journey towards a more inclusive future at Empire State University.
Together, we can create a campus community where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential.
ODEI Funding
Welcome to Empire State University's Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) Funding Opportunities page for the 2024-25 academic year. We're excited to share with you our commitment to fostering an inclusive campus environment through financial support for innovative DEI initiatives. On this page, you'll find information about two key funding programs:
These grants are designed to support research projects that advance our university's diversity, equity, and inclusion goals. We encourage you to explore these opportunities to conduct meaningful research that can be shared with our community at conference events. Whether you're a faculty member, staff member, or student, we invite you to join us in making a positive impact on our campus through these funding initiatives. Applications for 2024-2025 will be accepted from February 7-March 21st, 2025.
Reason and Respect
Tackling Tough Topics With Open Conversation
SUNY Empire launched Reason & Respect in 2020, a year fraught with sociopolitical turmoil. The series was created as a way for our community to explore sensitive subjects, while allowing for diverse perspectives. The series has since expanded and evolved into a broader forum that explores and reflects the diversity of our world.
We encourage our students, faculty, and staff to participate in these gatherings and to lend their voices to the conversation. We invite you to see the programming that has come before and to explore the resources that underlie our commitment to this important initiative. And we urge you to share your ideas for future topics in this series. Click the dropdown for past events.
April 9, 2025
Neurodiversity: Celebrating Our Unique Strengths and Differences
NeuroDiverse Collective in celebrating neurodiversity and Autism Acceptance Month! This presentation will promote a deeper understanding of neurodiversity, challenge stigmas, and celebrate the strengths and contributions of neurodiverse individuals. By exploring the different ways in which our brains work, we can foster understanding and acceptance in our communities.
*Please excuse the audio quality in this video due to technical difficulties.
Watch a recording of this session
March 19, 2025 - Woman Who Have Served
Join us to hear from SUNY Empire students and alumni who have served in the military
This session will focus on the experiences of women in the military, aiming to raise
awareness and break down barriers. Learn about their personal stories and challenges
and gain insights into what it means to be a woman in the military.
Deidre Tomlinson is a 2023 SUNY Empire alumna and a dedicated mother of three. Deidre served in the Army during Desert Storm. After her military service, she earned an associate degree in nursing and worked in healthcare. Her passion for lifelong learning led her to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Allied Health at SUNY Empire.
Mary Potter is an Air Force Veteran and MVOP participant, is pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching at SUNY Empire. She works at BOCES, supporting students with disabilities and mental health issues. Passionate about helping others, she also rehabilitates abused or neglected horses on her farm in her free time.
Michele Johnson is a 2019 SUNY Empire alumna and an Army Veteran. She began her military service in 1978 as a Unit Supply Specialist in Germany and later became a Drill Instructor. After her military career, she worked as a Corrections Officer and Deputy Sheriff and held various case management roles. She also mentors and supports Veterans and First Responders with PTSD on their healing journeys.
Watch a recording of this session
February 28, 2025 - Black History Month: The Impact of Positive Representation
Join the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in welcoming Dana Brown, assistant provost of student academic success, and Gabby Damis, social media coordinator for the Office of Communications, for a conversation about meaningful and impactful representation and the potential it has to empower and uplift individuals and communities. This conversation will be moderated by Dariana Reyes, a student in the School of Business.
Watch a Recording of the Session
Friday, January 31, 2025 - Counteracting Ableism in Higher Ed
This month's Reason and Respect session, which will provide ideas and strategies for working against systemic ableism. We will define ableism and describe examples of subtle and overt ableism against individuals with disabilities in higher education. We'll be joined by panelists Aley O’Mara and Sine Rofofsky, who will share their experiences with ableism as students, professionals, and academics. We will open the conversation to participants to brainstorm, troubleshoot, and strategize ways to dismantle ableism in our professional and academic practices.
This Reason and Respect is co-hosted by the Center for Autism Advocacy: Research, Education, and Supports (CAARES) and the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services.
Sine Rofofsky, Ph.D. is a SUNY Empire student and a librarian at SUNY Schenectady. He is an active facilitator in the Peer2Peer mentorship program.
Aley O’Mara, Ph.D. is the incoming program associate and training coordinator for CAARES. They are a neurodivergent educator, union advocate, and organizer in the Central New York disability community.
November 21, 2024- Veterans Serving Veterans
In honor of Veterans and Military Families Month, our November Reason and Respect connects military-affiliated students with fellow student veterans and alumni to share support, guidance, and resources through a panel discussion. Panelists will share their career journeys, highlighting the challenges and successes they faced while transitioning from military to civilian life, as well as what led them to seek careers serving veterans.
This program is a collaboration between the offices of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Opportunity Programs, Alumni Engagement, Career Services, and the Veteran and Military Resource Center.
Watch a recording of the session
October 24,2024-Polish American Heritage
Melissa Zgliczynski, Director of Accessibility Resources and Services; Alexandra Rush, Assistant Professor in the School of Socialand Behavioral Sciences in a conversation around what it means to be Polish American. This Reason and Respect we will cover topics such as family, work, education, and cultureand how heritage influences each of these aspects.
Watch a Recording of the Session
October 18, 2024-Disabilities in the Workplace; How to Best Navigate the Accommodation Request Process
Andrea Piazza, assistant director of Accessibility Resources and Services, Laura Decker, benefits and leave administrator, Ariane Garwood, assistant director of Career and Experiential Learning Services, Kyle Weisman, SUNY disability ambassador, and Rachel Sproule, Community and Human Services student, for a conversation about disability in the workplace. This Reason and Respect will provide valuable insight into how to navigate the accommodation request process and advocate for yourself here at SUNY Empire and in the workplace beyond.
*Due to technical issues the first few minutes of this session were not recorded.
Watch a Recording of the session
Resources
Students with Disabilities- Career Services Empire State University
New York State Recruitment Resource Center
OurAbility Access to Opportunity
Empowering Neurodivergent Voices: A Voter Preparation Webinar
Year Round Employer Strategies for Advancing Disability Inclusion
October 7, 2024- Celebration of Hispanic and Latine Heritage Month
This panel discussion features Silvia Mejia, Director of Spanish Language Programs; Luis Camacho, Assistant Professor in the School of Business; Maria Vega, Bilingual Student Success Coordinator; Kaity Altu, Student in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences; and be moderated by Liv Thygesen, Disability Specialist. This discussion will focus on the language and labels used to refer to the Hispanic and Latine community and how this relates to identity and culture. Join us for an engaging and insightful conversation that celebrates the richness of Hispanic and Latine heritage while fostering understanding and respect within our community.
Watch a Recording of the Session
August 26, 2024 - The Power of Civil Discourse: Understanding Its Importance and Making It Part of Your
Life
This month’s Reason & Respect explores the idea of civil discourse — why it matters,
what it is, and how to practice it regularly.
Join Dan Greer, executive director of University Student Services, and Ade Byron, program manager in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, for a conversation about what civil discourse looks like at Empire State University and beyond as we prepare for the upcoming election season.
Watch recording of the session
July 25,2024 - We Want a Life Like Yours
As a university, we seek to empower our community through our Reason & Respect series. This month’s Reason & Respect event will be presented by the Veteran and Military Resource Center and the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services and celebrate Disability Pride Month.
During this presentation, we will highlight the significance and the impact of the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). You will hear from a panel of students, alumni,
and veterans who will share their experiences as they relate to the ADA, Disability
Pride, and their impact on SUNY Empire.
Watch recording of the session
June 24, 2024 - Finding Your Face
In honor of Pride Month, June’s Reason & Respect will explore how "drag" fosters community, inclusivity, and social change. Panelists will share personal experiences and insights into drag as a tool for self-expression, resilience, and solidarity. Attendees will learn about the intersections of drag with identity and culture and how it challenges societal norms and creates supportive networks. Whether you're a drag enthusiast or a curious newcomer, this event promises to inspire and educate you on the role of drag in building diverse and inclusive communities.
Nov. 21 - A Conversation about Indigenous Land Acknowledgements: Their Meaning and Significance
A growing number of higher education institutions are acknowledging that their land once belonged to Indigenous peoples. Land acknowledgments are an effort to redress the past, make amends for the present, and shape the future of a location as it relates to Indigenous peoples. Even so, these statements are too often crafted without reflecting on the region's history and why the acknowledgement matters.
Please join Executive Director Joseph Bruchac and Language Director Jesse Bruchac (both Abenaki) of the Ndakinna Education Center in Greenfield Center, NY as they guide us in a conversation about the meaning and importance of acknowledging and honoring Indigenous people who have inhabited our lands, now and in the past. This event commemorates National Native American Heritage month.
The Reason and Respect Speaker series grew out of SUNY Empire's dedication to the free exchange of ideas and the uplifting power of education to enlighten. The monthly series explores and reflects the diversity of our world.
Oct. 19 - Exploring the Layers: The Intersection of LGBTQiA+ and Other Identities
In conjunction with SUNY Schenectady Community College, and in celebration of LGBTQ History Month, October's Reason and Respect will seek to better understand the vital role that intersectionality plays in the fight for LGBTQiA+ justice and the importance of rallying together to foster community and drive change.
Join Interim Chief Diversity Officers Audi Matias of SUNY Empire State College and Alicia Richardson of SUNY Schenectady County Community College in a discussion with panelists from both institutions. The panel will include SUNY Empire student Em Vainella and Sandra Pérez '17, executive director of NYC Pride.
The Reason and Respect Speaker Series was launched at the end of 2020. The monthly series grew out of SUNY Empire's dedication to the free exchange of ideas and the belief in the uplifting impact of education to bring civility to discussions around delicate topics.
Sept. 26 - Building Prosperous and Healthy Communities: Contributions of Hispanics/LatinX to Science and Public Health
Reason & Respect resumes with a panel recognizing and celebrating the contributions of Hispanics/LatinX to science. We've benefited from the many contributions of Hispanic scientists working in labs across the country to help fight COVID-19 and prevent environmental diseases. In this panel discussion, three scholars will share how their research, which includes studies of lung function, the impact of race and ethnic differences on physical activity and sedentary behaviors, and the use of digital health technologies, help advance public health and improve living standards. They'll also discuss the benefits that intersectional identities bring to their work.
The event commemorates National Hispanic Heritage month, which is September 15 to October 15.
June 27 - Without Shame: The Transgender Experience
Please join Officer in Charge Nathan Gonyea on Monday, June 27, as he welcomes Connelly Akstens, Ph.D., a long-time faculty member and mentor at SUNY Empire. Akstens will read excerpts from her memoir, Without Shame: Learning to be Me. She will discuss her journey as a transgender person and invite participants to ask questions. Akstens has taught at SUNY Empire for 24 years on subjects as diverse as gender studies, literature, music, and film.
From the preface of her book:
"For most of my life, I lived the shadow of shame. From the age of three or four, I was perplexed about whether I should be a boy or a girl. When I was fifty-five, I decided to change that...the past two decades have been a process of coming out of hiding, letting myself be known and leaving shame behind. The process has led me to write this book. "Read more about Connelly Akstens.
May 23 - How Do We Handle This? Perspectives on Mental Health Crises in the Community
In this month’s Reason & Respect conversation, mental health professionals and a person directly impacted by the mental health system will discuss concerns about safety, empathy, and justice in community responses to mental health crises. Panelists will draw on their personal and professional experiences to explore alternative models for crisis response. SUNY Empire student Em Wasserman Vaianella, NY Certified Peer Specialist, and Rebecca Bonanno, Student Mental Health Faculty Fellow, will be included among the panelists.
April 4 - Neurodiversity in the Workplace
The session will focus on neurodiversity in the workplace and will include an overview of the benefits of neurodiversity to job seekers and employers, systems and supports to increase numbers of neurodiverse employees in the workplace, and the role of higher education in this initiative. Autistic or neurodiverse self-advocates and professionals in these areas will participate in a panel discussion related to the current state of employment for autistic and neurodiverse job seekers/employees and ways to improve outcomes. The session will close with an opportunity for attendees to ask questions of the panelists.
March 28 - Attribution Bias: "Us" and "Them"
Samuel Caldwell, chief diversity officer and associate vice president at the University at Albany will lead a discussion on implicit bias, focusing on how the biases individuals hold toward various dimensions of diversity (gender, gender identity, race, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and more) impact how we engage with others in work and social settings.
Feb. 14 - Slavery in New York State
Officer in Charge Nathan Gonyea and Presidential Fellow for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Frances Boyce invite you to attend a discussion on the true history of slavery in New York state. The event features William Seraile, professor emeritus at Lehman College and will be moderated by David Fullard, SUNY Empire State College visiting associate professor and coordinator for the Black Male Initiative. Their conversation will examine the history of slavery in New York state, including sites that are historically significant but are unmarked or recognized, as well as the role of Manumission Society and discriminatory treatment following emancipation in terms of public accommodations, employment and voting rights.
Jan. 24 - Back to Basics: The First Amendment
Free speech rights have never been more vital to our democracy and institutions. Join us as we resume our Reason & Respect speakers series with an important conversation about the constitutional legal framework of the First Amendment and sub-topics, including the intersection of speech and anti-discrimination laws, faculty academic freedom, and issues relating to student and group speech.
Panelists will include Cara Palumbo-Schrantz, assistant deputy general counsel for the State University of New York; Elise Rosen Puzio, associate campus counsel at the University at Albany; Will Versfelt, associate campus counsel at Downstate Health Sciences University; and Adam Haney, assistant deputy general counsel and campus counsel to SUNY Empire State College.
Reason & Respect is guided by the following SUNY Empire commitments:
Critical reflective inquiry that encourages active engagement in the local and global community
Promoting social justice and a sustainable world through responsiveness to human and social circumstances
Ensuring a healthy democracy that recognizes and respects diversity in all its forms
Fostering respectful, creative and vibrant learning environments for students, faculty and staff
