Expert and Author, Tia Brown McNair helps kick-off Opening Day

SUNY Ulster Opens Faculty/Staff Professional Development Day with
National Higher Education Equity Expert and Author, Tia Brown McNair

August 28, 2023 – Stone Ridge, NY – To kick-off SUNY Ulster’s 2023-2024 academic year, SUNY Ulster President, Alison Buckley, Ed.D., invited Dr. Tia Brown McNair, Vice President in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Student Success and Executive Director for the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) Campus Centers at the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) in Washington, DC, to join the College community for professional development and engagement centered on equity and purposeful action.

Focusing on Am I a Student-Ready Leader? Vision, Purpose, and Practice for Student Success, McNair highlighted promising strategies for designing and leading student success efforts that are guided by the question, “What does it mean to be a student-ready leader, and why does it matter?” The goal is for SUNY Ulster to promote a shared vision with a defined purpose that translates into practices that are relevant, transparent, and effective for our students who represent a diversity of identities.

“I am honored to have Dr. Tia Brown McNair join us as our keynote speaker.  I know she will help our institution focus our work this academic year on strategic planning, accreditation and diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice, through the examination of: Are we doing the right thing?; Are we doing it well?; and Why does it matter?, said, Alison Buckley, Ed.D., President.

SUNY Ulster’s community of faculty and staff had access to two of McNair’s publications, “From Equity Talk to Equity Walk: Expanding Practitioner Knowledge for Racial Justice in Higher Education” and “Becoming a Student Ready College: A New Culture of Leadership for Student Success,” for advanced reading and reflections.

Following her address, college-wide discussion groups reviewed key principles from the second edition of Becoming a Student-Ready College and From Equity Talk to Equity Walk. Faculty and staff then identified key steps for examining and establishing equity-centered goals that support student engagement, retention, and success.

As the College enters its 60^th anniversary year this September, utilizing Dr. McNair’s work among our resources for strategic planning as we plan for the growth and future of the College will provide a wealth of information in the area of DEI and facilitate more robust conversations with colleagues.

President Buckley stated, “SUNY Ulster serves as an important public higher education partner in Ulster County, and it is paramount that we meet the changing workforce needs in emerging industries by serving the citizens of Ulster County through upskilling and on and off-ramps to affordable access to higher education, leading to successful employment in a career with family-sustaining wages. We look forward to supporting students as they attain their educational degrees/certifications and meet their employment goals.”

For more information, contact Jenn Zell, Chief of Staff at 845-687-5049, or zellj@sunyulster.edu.

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