SUNY PRODiG+ Fellowship

SUNY’s recently launched PRODiG+ initiative builds on the success of the previous PRODiG efforts over the past several years. Like for the former program, the SUNY PRODiG (Promoting Recruitment, Opportunity, Diversity, Inclusion and Growth) initiative supports the growth of faculty diversity and aims to improve campus efforts to increase the number of historically underrepresented populations in faculty and women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (WiSTEM) faculty. SUNY Empire is proud to participate in this SUNY initiative and is committed to its mission.

Candidates are invited to apply for the PRODiG+ position at Empire State University. Eligibility criteria include:

• Eligible to work in the United States without a visa sponsorship.
• Ph.D. or relevant terminal degree from an accredited institution completed prior to start date.
• Demonstrate personal, academic, and/or work experience engaging with diversity, equity, and inclusion and/or a commitment to facilitating and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the campus community. Such experience may include, but is not limited to, an academic/scholarly track record focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion; work, volunteer/unpaid/community service; or related experience/expertise in serving underserved or vulnerable areas and/ or populations.

Preference will be given to candidates who are:

• Current SUNY students, alumni, and/or Fellows.
• From a low-income background (e.g., Pell-eligible as undergraduates), were first-generation college students (students whose parents have not earned a bachelor’s degree), have overcome adversity, are AmeriCorps alumni, or are veterans (i.e., consistent with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in SUNY Admissions resolution adopted by the SUNY Board of Trustees in September 2023).” 

The PRODiG+ Fellowship is open to any and all prospective candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex, and is consistent with all current governing federal and state nondiscrimination law. All application submissions will be assessed and evaluated in accordance with the required eligibility criteria. 

"The PRODiG Fellows Program exceeds expectations. With the support of faculty mentors and the college community at large, fellows are given the space to grow and thrive. This program provides new and aspiring scholars with unparalleled training, a pipeline into a competitive job market, and access to a community invested in the success of its fellows. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such an important initiative."

Naiima Khahaifa, 2020-'21 SUNY Empire State College PRODiG Fellow

"The PRODiG Fellows program is the best thing to happen to SUNY in years. It has been a joy working with our talented fellow, Naiima Khahaifa. She's smart, hardworking, and inquisitive about everything we do. I have been inspired by her, and I know our students have benefited too. Hopefully, she will be the first of many!"

Deborah P. Amory, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Department of Social Science and Public Affairs

"Serving as mentor to PRODiG Fellow, Naiima Khahaifa, has been a very uplifting and gratifying experience. Her incisive intellect and sterling curiosity have added significant value to students' learning and my teaching.  SUNY Empire's participation in the PRODiG Fellowship program is one justice-centered way in which the institution is working to change its environment - an effort that should make us all feel proud.  I hope the initiative is here to stay!"

Nadine V. Wedderburn, Ph.D.
Associate Professor/Mentor, PRODiG Fellow Coach
Department of Social Science and Public Affairs, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

SUNY Empire has locations across the state. SUNY Empire PRODiG Fellows can be based out of any of the following locations:

• Brooklyn
• Long Island
• Rochester
• Saratoga Springs
• Staten Island

SUNY Empire encourages applications for our Schools for Undergraduate and Graduate Studies, and School of Nursing and Allied Health. Both pre-doctoral and post-doctoral candidates are encouraged to apply. Pre-doctoral candidates will be supported in their efforts to complete their degree.

The School for Graduate Studies includes business programs, education programs, policy studies, liberal studies, information technologies and an Ed.D. in higher education leadership and change. The School of Nursing and Allied Health includes undergraduate and graduate programs in nursing and an undergraduate program in allied health.  The School for Undergraduate Studies is divided into five schools:

School of Arts and Humanities:

• Arts and Media
• Historical Studies
• Literature, Communication and Cultural Studies

School of Business

• Accounting, Economics and Finance
• Business, International Business and Marketing
• Management and Human Resource Management

School of Human Services

• Child and Family Studies
• Health and Human Services

School of Science, Mathematics and Technology

• Computer Sciences and Technology
• Mathematics
• Natural Sciences

School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

• Educational Studies
• Psychology and Human Development
• Social Science and Public Affairs

Other college resources:

• Center for Mentoring and Learning and Academic Innovation
• Directory
• Mission
• Empire Opportunity Program
• Office of Digital Learning, Innovation, and Strategy
• Office of Sponsored Programs

PRODiG Fellows

SUNY PRODiG Fellow for the 2021-23 academic years Bernadet DeJonge

Bernadet DeJonge joined SUNY Empire State College as the college's second PRODiG Fellow. DeJonge, who is based at the college's Syracuse location, will teach diversity in human services and the history of social welfare in the College of Human Service during the fall 2021 term, and will be at the college as a PRODiG fellow from 2021-23.

DeJonge is a recent graduate of Oregon State University, where she is on the path to receiving her Ph.D. in counseling. She holds an MA in rehabilitation counseling from Western Washington University, a BA in psychology from Western Washington University, and an associate degree from Skagit Valley College.

DeJonge has taught courses in counseling, case management, disability systems, and many other subject matters. Her research interests include suicide intervention and treatment, counseling clients with aphasia, and motivational interviewing for frontline staff, to name a few. DeJonge also possesses clinical experience, as an expanded community services clinician, care manager, and social worker, among other roles.

She is currently doing her dissertation on the experience adjunct, online faculty have with gatekeeping, which is the professional responsibility of counselors to address problem behavior in masters’ level counseling trainees.

2020-21  PRODiG Fellow

Naiima Khahaifa

In 2020-'21, Naiima Khahaifa joined SUNY Empire State College as its first PRODiG Fellow. Based in the School of Social and Behavioral Science at the college’s Cheektowaga location, her research examines dynamics of prison workforce integration and urban neighborhood change in Western New York. She is a Ph.D. candidate in geography at the University at Buffalo, SUNY (UB) and has earned an M.A. in International Trade at the University at Buffalo, SUNY (UB) and an M.S. in Global Business with Marketing Concentration from Daemen College.