DSLI Steering Committee

Zulaika Rodriguez-Awoliyi serves as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Executive Recruitment and Leadership Development at the State University of New York (SUNY) where she leads the system’s presidential and senior executive recruitment and leadership development strategy across the nation’s largest public higher education system. With more than 20 years of experience in system-level administration, Zulaika is widely recognized for her expertise in identifying, supporting, and advancing transformational leaders.

Her portfolio spans the full executive leadership cycle, including presidential and senior executive searches, onboarding and transition planning, leadership development, performance evaluation, and succession planning. In this role, Zulaika serves as a trusted strategic advisor to the Chancellor, Boards of Trustees, campus presidents, and search committees, guiding high-stakes decision making and ensuring search and evaluation processes reflect SUNYs mission, values, and long-term strategic priorities.

Zulaika also provides leadership for SUNYs system-wide leadership development ecosystem, overseeing the Hispanic Leadership Institute (HLI), Black Leadership Institute (BLI), Disability Support Leadership Institute (DSLI), and the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Leadership Institute (AANHPI-LI). Through these programs, she has helped cultivate robust leadership pipelines and expand pathways to advancement for emerging leaders across SUNYs 64 campuses.  

Since joining SUNY System Administration in 2004, Zulaika has served under multiple Chancellors, Provosts, and Boards of Trustees in a variety of leadership roles, including Director of Operations and Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff. This breadth of experience has given her a deep institutional knowledge of SUNYs governance, policy environment, and operational complexity, as well as a reputation for discretion, sound judgement, and steady leadership in moments of transition. 

A proud first-generation college graduate, Zulaika was born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico and raised in Brooklyn, NY. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the College of Saint Rose and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University at Albany. Her personal and professional journey continues to inform her commitment to public higher education as a powerful engine for opportunity, mobility, and community impact.   

Known for her exceptional organizational skills, integrity, and human-centered systems thinking, Zulaika brings a strategic yet relational approach to executive leadership work. Her contributions have helped shape SUNYs leadership infrastructure and advance a cohesive, equity-driven approach to developing and identifying the next generation of public higher education leaders.  Beyond SUNY, Zulaika serves as a board member of 518Elevated, a College Access and Success organization serving Albany, Schenectady, and Troy, NY, where she supports efforts to connect local students with mentorship, resources, and pathways to higher education and long-term success.

Lauren P. Rodriguez is the Director of Resources for Students with Disabilities in the Office of University Life at the State University of New York. With over 15 years of experience, she leads initiatives and supports for students with disabilities across the SUNY System and guides the 64 campuses in adopting best practices to mitigate barriers to access for disabled students in all institutional programs, services, and activities. She also assists in developing programs and policies to support equity for students with disabilities. Dr. Rodriguez is the Director of the Universal Design for Learning Project at SUNY, co-founded the SUNY Accessibility Advocates & Allies Faculty Fellowship Program, serves as a Co-Chair of the SUNY Electronic Information Technology (EIT) Accessibility Committee, and collaborates on many other accessibility initiatives.

Dr. Rodriguez completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University at Buffalo and earned a Psy.D. in School Psychology from Alfred University. She is a school psychologist and licensed psychologist in New York, as well as a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) through IAAP. Dr. Rodriguez has been honored for exemplary leadership in public service and the advancement of disability equity, receiving The Chancellor’s Award for Excellence (2020) and the New York State Empire Star Public Service Award (2019).

Ailayia serves as the Assistant Director for Presidential Searches and Leadership Initiatives at State University of New York (SUNY), where she collaborates with search firms and senior leadership to identify, recruit, and secure top presidential candidates for SUNY’s 64 campuses and other Board-appointed roles.

In addition to supporting executive searches, Ailayia works closely with SUNY Leadership Institutes. The Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Institute (AANHPILI), the Black Leadership Institute (BLI), the Disability Support Leadership Institute (DSLI), and the Hispanic Leadership Institute (HLI) — programs designed to empower emerging and established leaders across the nation’s largest public higher education system in the United States through professional development, collaboration, and mentorship.

In her previous role as Executive Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer, she provided strategic administrative and operational support at the highest level—managing complex calendars, coordinating cross-functional projects, and serving as a trusted liaison between the COO’s office and internal and external stakeholders. She ensured priorities stayed on track, information flowed smoothly, and day-to-day operations aligned with executive goals and system-wide initiatives.

Ailayia holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from St. John Fisher University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from Le Moyne College. Ailayia is known for her hard work, leadership, and operational process. She is deeply committed to supporting SUNY's mission of inclusive excellence, integrity, and institutional effectiveness across New York State.

Reginald Celestin serves as the Program Manager and Special Assistant for Executive Recruitment and Leadership Development at the State University of New York (SUNY) where through project management, database building, and website maintenance, he provides essential operational and logistical support for numerous high-impact initiatives such as coordinating presidential and executive search processes, supporting evaluations efforts for state-operated campus presidents, and assisting the Office of the Chancellor as needed.

Alongside supporting executive searches, Reginald works closely with senior leadership to oversee the development of the SUNY Leadership Institutes; The Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Institute (AANHPILI), the Black Leadership Institute (BLI), the Disability Support Leadership Institute (DSLI), and the Hispanic Leadership Institute (HLI). These programs are designed to develop and empower emerging leaders across the SUNY System’s 64 campuses, the nation’s largest public higher education system in the United States, through professional development, mentorship and expanded pathways to advancement.

Reginald also collaborates with other committees within SUNY such as the Association of Council Members and College Trustees (ACT), an organization that supports the governance, the promotion of higher education, and the quality of SUNY’s institutions; the SUNY Internship Program, an initiative that provides professional development, networking and paid learning opportunities for SUNY students; the Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence, the highest honor bestowed upon a student by the University, that acknowledges students for outstanding achievements that have demonstrated the integration of SUNY excellence into many different aspects of their lives; and the Norman R. McConney, Jr. Awards for EOP Excellence, that honors students who have demonstrated extraordinary perseverance, resilience, and commitment to personal and academic growth.

Reginald began his career at SUNY System Administration in 2022 as a Graduate Student Assistant and was promoted to Program Coordinator in 2024, the same year he earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University at Albany. A proud first-generation college graduate, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from SUNY Old Westbury.

Born and raised in Long Island, NY, Reginald is known for his hard work, creative portfolio, and process-oriented mindset. His critical and strategic contributions that serve to showcase his deep commitment to supporting SUNY's mission of inclusive excellence, integrity, and institutional effectiveness across New York State.

Dr. Mary Bonderoff serves as the eleventh President at SUNY Delhi. She has been leading the college since May 2022. Previously, Dr. Bonderoff was a special advisor to the Chancellor at SUNY Delhi while continuing to fulfill her responsibilities as Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer at SUNY Morrisville.

Dr. Bonderoff began her career at SUNY in 1989 at the Oneonta campus, serving in roles with increasing responsibility, including Director of the Center for Multicultural Experiences, Director for Student Diversity, and then as Director of Diversity Education and Community Outreach. She went to SUNY Morrisville to serve as Chief Diversity Officer and Title IX Coordinator and has been Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer for the past two years. As Chief Diversity Officer for SUNY Morrisville, she did not shy away from leading difficult dialogues around issues of diversity, equity and inclusion at a series called “Critical Conversations with the CDO” and additionally assisted in developing policy initiatives within the university, including a Racial Profiling Police Policy, Gender Inclusive Housing, a Preferred Names Project, and Gender-Neutral Bathrooms on campus. She is a member of the SUNY Disability Task Force, which was established in 2021, and has been serving as special advisor to the Chancellor at SUNY Delhi.

Dr. Bonderoff has worked closely with a number of partners in the community, including the Cooperstown Board of Education, Chamber of Commerce, Oneonta and Cooperstown Central School Districts, and has been a member of the United University Professions for twenty-eight years, as well as a member of the NAACP. She has extensive experience in human resource policies, specializing in areas of diversity and inclusion, search and hiring, and reasonable accommodations. Dr. Bonderoff earned a doctorate from Northeastern University; two MS degrees and a BS in education, all from SUNY Oneonta. One of Dr. Bonderoff’s first jobs while she was a graduate student was at SUNY Delhi as a Residence Hall Director. Her immediate family is also a part of the SUNY family, as her husband and three sons all attended a SUNY campus for their higher education.   

At SUNY Delhi, Dr. Bonderoff will continue to approach campus issues with balance, sourcing opinions and assistance from all perspectives, fostering teamwork to achieve the common goal of a more inclusive campus experience for all, while also supporting and inspiring our students every step of the way.

Brian Hamluk has served as Vice President for Student Life at the University at Buffalo (UB) since the summer of 2021, bringing with him a vision of innovation and transformational leadership. Since his arrival, he has played a pivotal role in redefining the student experience, helping to usher in one of the most dynamic and impactful periods for the Division of Student Life in recent decades. In his role, Hamluk leads a broad portfolio of departments, programs, and services that shape and enhance the university experience outside the classroom for over 30,000 UB students. His leadership focuses on ensuring that every student feels supported, engaged, and empowered to thrive—academically, socially, and personally—throughout their time at the university. Under Hamluk’s guidance, Student Life has advanced numerous initiatives that strengthen campus culture, improve access to essential resources, and foster a greater sense of belonging and well-being. His strategic approach emphasizes collaboration, student-centered programming, and the continuous development of support systems that meet the evolving needs of a diverse student body. Hamluk’s commitment to student success and holistic development reflects his broader vision for UB as a place where all students can flourish both inside and outside the classroom. His leadership continues to shape a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive campus environment that prepares students for lifelong achievement.

Dr. Todd Marshall serves as the Executive Director of Equity and Inclusion at Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC), a role he has held since 2020. In this capacity, he leads the college's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, collaborating with various departments to coordinate training and programs that engage and support faculty, staff, and students. He also co-chairs MVCC’s Diversity Council and the Center for Inclusive Teaching Excellence (CITE), and serves as the college’s affirmative action officer and a Title IX advisor. Dr. Marshall earned both his Master of Arts and Ph.D. in Slavic Linguistics from Cornell University. Prior to his current role, he taught French, Spanish, and Russian at several colleges and universities across New York, Arkansas, and California. He returned to Utica in 2012 to teach ESL and French at MVCC. In 2019, Dr. Marshall was honored with MVCC’s “Heart of the Hawk” award, recognizing his dedication to the college community. He has also been involved in community outreach, serving on the board of a local refugee center and leading DEI workshops for organizations in the region.

Dr. Laura E. Ortiz serves as the Provost and Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC), a position she has held since July 2023. In this role, she oversees the Division of Academic & Student Affairs, which encompasses Academic Affairs, Instruction, and Student Affairs, all aimed at promoting student learning, well-being, and success. Dr. Ortiz earned her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from Benedictine University, a Master of Arts (M.A.) from Roosevelt University, and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Iowa State University. Prior to her tenure at FLCC, she held significant academic leadership positions, including serving as the Dean for Faculty Development and Engagement at Waubonsee Community College from 2018 to 2023, and as the Associate Dean of Humanities and Speech Communication at College of DuPage from 2011 to 2015. Dr. Ortiz's leadership at FLCC has been instrumental in initiatives such as the establishment of a streamlined transfer agreement with Hobart and William Smith Colleges, facilitating a smoother transition for FLCC students pursuing bachelor's degrees.

Dr. Suzanne Smith became the 18th president of SUNY Potsdam in April 2023. She brings extensive leadership experience from her previous role as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Georgia Southwestern State University, where she oversaw academic affairs, initiated new degree programs, expanded partnerships to secure over $2 million in funding, and led the university’s post-pandemic strategic efforts. Prior to that, she served in multiple academic leadership positions at Washington State University Vancouver for over 20 years, including interim chancellor and vice provost. With more than 25 years of experience teaching sociology and human development, Dr. Smith is recognized for her excellence in teaching and scholarship. She has published numerous works, including a family theories textbook. She holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Georgia, a master’s degree in sociology from Virginia Tech, and a bachelor’s degree from Erskine College. Additionally, she has completed prestigious leadership programs at Harvard University and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.

Adiam Tsegai is an alumna of SUNY Erie Community College where she earned her associate’s degree in liberal arts and social science. She went on to study at the University at Buffalo, where she earned her B.A. in Psychology and African American Studies, her M.Ed. in General Education, and her Ph.D. in Educational and Leadership Policy and Social Foundations. Dr. Tsegai joined SUNY Erie as the Dean of Engineering and Technologies in 2018. She then served as the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs of Health Sciences, Engineering, and Technologies. In 2021, she was appointed to the position of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs for the college. Then in 2022 she served as the college’s Officer- in-Charge and was appointed president on Dec 5, 2023.