Meet the Fellows

Johanna Boutcher has served at SUNY Suffolk County Community College for more than a decade. With over eight years of experience managing the Help Desk, Johanna has led significant improvements in customer service, operational efficiency, and data-driven decision-making —resulting in unified, expanded, and strengthened support services across the college. Passionate about leveraging technology to drive organizational success, she is committed to fostering innovation and collaboration across teams.

Johanna’s leadership philosophy emphasizes integrity, continuous growth, adaptability, and shared purpose —building trust and synergy within teams while fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and respected.

With bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia, and a master’s degree in Technological Systems Management from Stony Brook University, Johanna brings a strong analytical foundation, a global outlook, and a commitment to diversity, innovation, and productivity to her work.

Outside of work, Johanna enjoys reading, traveling, hiking, biking, baking, and spending time with family and friends.

Raymond Feliciano is the Associate Director of Student Accounts and at SUNY Maritime College, a position he has held since April 2023. In this role, he oversees student billing, collections, and volunteers as the chair of the Academic Year Scholarship Committee. Born and raised in Spanish Harlem, Raymond has had to overcome many barriers to obtain his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and carve out a career in student finance.

Prior to Maritime, Raymond served in progressive leadership roles in higher education. First at the Metropolitan College of New York; beginning as a work-study student at the age of 19 years old and progressing to the institution’s collection’s manager. This was followed by serving four and a half years at the Brooklyn Law School where he honed his expertise in student accounts and finance.

Currently, Raymond brings over a dozen years of experience to SUNY Maritime college. He leads a team of four dedicated staff members who all place a strong emphasize on providing outstanding customer service to students and families across the campus. Raymond is also a dedicated volunteer, serving as the chair of SUNY Maritime’s Academic Year Scholarship Committee, guiding the equitable distribution of merit and need-based awards that directly impact retention and graduation rates.

Juan Pablo Galvis is Associate Professor and Chair in the History and Philosophy Department at SUNY Old Westbury. He joined the faculty at Old Westbury as an Assistant Professor in 2013 and teaches courses on Geography, Latin America, and Environmental Studies. He has a PhD in Geography from the University of Washington in Seattle and BA’s in History and Economics from the Universidad de los Andes in Bogota, Colombia. His specialty is in urban geography, exploring how planning policies reinforce social inequities in Latin America and beyond. He focuses on policies that appear rooted in social and environmental justice—such as those governing public spaces and urban environmental regulations—but often depend on the exclusion of already marginalized populations. His work has been published, among others, in the International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, the Journal of Latin American Geography, and Key Thinkers on Cities. Having led the creation of Old Westbury’s Environmental Studies program, he currently serves as its main advisor. Among other service commitments, he also currently serves in the advisory boards for El Conuco: The Latinx and Ibero-American Center and the Campus Environmental Education Center.

Xiomara J. Giordano serves as the Assistant Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at Empire State University, where she leads comprehensive diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across the institution. With more than 12 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education administration, she brings cross-functional expertise spanning academic affairs, student services, human resources, and enrollment management.

Xiomara holds a Master of Science in Educational Policy and Leadership with a focus on higher education from the State University of New York at Albany and received her BA in Spanish and Portuguese literature from Smith College. As a proud multilingual, first-generation student, she brings deep expertise in supporting first-generation, underrepresented, and international student populations.

Her leadership extends to the national level, where she serves as a board member for the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE), on the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity (NCORE) Advisory Council, the Insight into Academia Editorial Board, and as the Red Region Representative for the Consortium of Higher Education LGBTQ Professionals.

Previously, Xiomara served as director of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Bennington College, where she developed transformative programs and established strategic partnerships with community organizations. She also has volunteered as a guiding scholar with the Adirondack Diversity Initiative, collaborating on comprehensive DEI curriculum development for small businesses.

Throughout her career, Xiomara has championed culturally relevant pedagogy, equitable access to higher education, and restorative practices within learning environments, demonstrating her commitment to creating meaningful, data-informed, and lasting institutional change.

Steven Posada serves as the Coordinator of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) at Dutchess Community College, where he leads initiatives that advance access, equity, and student success for economically and educationally disadvantaged students. A proud first-generation college graduate born to immigrant parents, Posada’s commitment to this work is grounded in his own experience as an EOP student at SUNY New Paltz, a community that helped him find belonging, confidence, and pride in his identity while navigating higher education.

With more than a decade of experience in admissions, residence life, student support, and diversity initiatives, Posada has dedicated his career to creating pathways for historically underrepresented students. Prior to his current role, he served as a Diversity Admissions Counselor and later as Assistant Director of Admissions for Diversity & Equity Initiatives at DCC, where he developed bilingual outreach strategies, strengthened partnerships with opportunity programs, and expanded support for undocumented, ENL, LGBTQ+, and non-traditional student populations.

His leadership extends across the institution, where he serves as Co-Chair of Dutchess Community College’s Diversity Council and contributes to committees focused on onboarding, curriculum development, and student conduct. He has also facilitated workshops and conference presentations on access, the NYS Dream Act, and inclusive recruitment practices.

Posada holds a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Stony Brook University and a Bachelor’s in Spanish with minors in Black Studies and Latin American & Caribbean Studies from SUNY New Paltz. He is a devoted husband to Sandy and father to Silvia and Samir, who inspire his ongoing commitment to uplifting future generations.

Elena Romero is Assistant Chair and Tenured Assistant Professor in the Marketing Communications department of the Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology at the Fashion Institute of Technology (SUNY) and an Executive Committee Member of United College Employees (UCE) of FIT. She sits on the NYSUT Women’s Committee and attends NYSUT’s Members of Color Affinity and Action (MOCCA)’s annual Members of Color Conference.

An award-winning journalist for over 30 years, Romero is a former TV Correspondent and Producer for LATiNAS, airing on CUNY TV, and freelances regularly covering stories about Latine culture, hip hop, and fashion. Romero has served as co-curator of “Fresh Fly Fabulous: 50 Years of Hip Hop Style” (2023) for The Museum at FIT and curator of “Fly Girls: Women, Hip Hop, and the Power of Style” (2025) for FIT’s Gladys Marcus Library.

Since 2024, Romero has been an All-Star Mentor for the PVH x Misa Hylton Fashion Academy (MHFA). A firm of public education, Romero was Co-Vice President and Secretary for the Community Education Council (CEC) District 15 in Brooklyn and as a Brooklyn Borough President Community Education Council District 15 Appointee under Eric Adams. As a CEC member (2013-2019), she was a parent representative for public schools spanning from Boerum Hill to Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Currently a PhD student, Romero’s research interests include Latina madres and educational movements; diversity, and equity in public schools; and school choice in New York City.

Romero has received numerous professional and academic awards including the 2023-2024 SUNY Chancellor’s Award in Scholarship and Creative Services; 2023 Community League of the Heights Lucile Bulger Service Award; 100 Hispanic Women 2023 Graduate Scholarship; the 2020 Comité Noviembre Josefina Aguado Scholarship for Single Parents; the 2017-2018 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching; as well as six Telly Awards and three Emmy nominations for her broadcast work.

She is the co-editor of Fresh Fly Fabulous: 50 Years of Hip Hop Style (Rizzoli, 2023) and author of Free Stylin: How Hip Hop Changed the Fashion Industry (Bloomsbury, 2012). Romero holds a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication and an MS in Publishing, both from New York University. Romero is a PhD student studying Urban Education at The CUNY Graduate Center.

Camilo Salazar is a professor of marine sciences and environmental studies at Suffolk County Community College, NY. With over two decades of experience, he is an educator, scientist, and environmental advocate specializing in coastal resilience, sustainable development, marine science, water quality, and community outreach. Born and raised in Ibagué, Colombia, and a first-generation college student, Camilo graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Biology from the Universidad del Tolima, earning a national award from the Colombian Association of Biological Sciences for his thesis on phytoplankton ecology. After relocating to New York in 2002, he volunteered at the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead, serving as an interpreter and information resource, especially for the Hispanic community.

Beginning as an ESL student, he went on to earn a Master’s in Environmental Studies from C.W. Post (2008) and a Master’s in Marine and Atmospheric Sciences from Stony Brook University (2015), where he researched geochemical processes and groundwater dynamics in coastal marshes, contributing to the understanding of salt marsh hydrology and resilience. For 15 years, Camilo worked as an Environmental Analyst for Suffolk County Government, leading water quality and coastal resilience initiatives and securing millions of dollars in federal, state, and county funding for environmental restoration and climate resilience projects such as marsh restoration, water quality improvement. He also established a federally and county-funded internship program for Suffolk County Community College students, providing hands-on experience in marsh restoration and monitoring.

Camilo has taught at Suffolk County Community College since 2013, first as an adjunct and, since 2023, as a full-time Associate Professor at the Grant Campus. In 2025, he was appointed Assistant Academic Chair of the Department of Natural Sciences, coordinating programs, faculty, and curriculum development. Beyond his professional roles, Camilo serves his community as a member of the Patchogue Zoning Board of Appeals (since 2022) and the Community Development Agency (since 2021), advocating for sustainable development, effective zoning implementation, and housing equity. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island (CRESLI) (since 2024), advancing research, conservation, and education on local marine mammals and coastal ecosystems awareness.

Dr. Joanna Santos-Smith is a higher education leader and equity advocate with more than a decade of experience advancing strategic initiatives, student success, and community engagement across SUNY institutions. She currently serves as the Assistant Dean for Strategic Initiatives at SUNY Geneseo, where she leads efforts to expand non-traditional programming—including youth camps, adult education, and workforce development—and to create innovative pathways for lifelong learning.

Joanna earned her Doctorate in Educational Administration with a specialization in Higher Education from the University of Rochester, building on her academic foundation at SUNY Geneseo. Her career includes leadership roles focused on access, equity, and student success, such as directing rural campus operations and implementing community-based programs. Her work is informed by research on alternative programming and developmental education, emphasizing the removal of barriers for underrepresented and underserved learners.

A first-generation college graduate and former opportunity program counselor, Joanna is deeply committed to fostering inclusive educational environments and driving institutional growth through strategic initiatives. Her vision centers on access, innovation, and equity, ensuring that educational pathways remain open and future-ready for all learners.

Raquel Schmidt, Ph.D., is the Associate Dean in the School of Education and Applied Professions at Buffalo State University. She brings more than 30 years of experience in higher education, teaching in p-12 schools, and collaborating with various community agencies and organizations. She is a lifelong educator and is proud to be the daughter of a first-generation immigrant who modeled and instilled the values of hard work, learning, and community service.  She is currently the chairperson of the board of trustees of Westminster Community Charter School, vice president of the board of directors of the Community Action Organization of WNY, and a board member of Cradle Beach Camp. Dr. Schmidt’s life work is grounded in her Hispanic heritage, her family’s values of service and perseverance, and her deep connections to the western New York community. She believes strongly in the transformative power of education and is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of leaders who are culturally inclusive, equity-minded, and public-service oriented.

Since joining the Exceptional Education faculty in 1996 as an adjunct instructor,  Dr. Schmidt has worn many hats at Buffalo State, including co-directing the Bilingual Inclusive Education program and being elected chairperson of the Exceptional Education department, a position she held for 5 years before moving to the dean’s office in 2023. She currently teaches a foundational course in academic skills for university freshmen. Her teaching emphasizes inclusive pedagogy, identity development, and community-engaged learning—values that reflect her deep commitment to strengthening educational pathways for first-generation, underrepresented, and diverse students. Dr. Schmidt’s professional interests center on social emotional learning, mindfulness, and enhancing the overall well-being of the individual as an integral component of the larger community. She is particularly dedicated to supporting new and aspiring students as they navigate the academic and emotional demands of the classroom, workplace, and pursuit of higher education.  She regularly facilitates workshops on breathwork, meditation, yoga, and mindfulness integration.

She holds a B.S. in education (special education k-12 and elementary education 1-6) and M.S.Ed. in Bilingual Special Education from Buffalo State University, and a Ph.D. in Learning and Instruction from the University at Buffalo.

Dr. Geraldo "Gerry" Vasquez is a Tenured Associate Professor of Accounting in the Department of Business Management (AACSB-accredited) of the School of Business. Dr. Vasquez teaches financial and managerial accounting, business statistics, accounting data analytics, and auditing courses. Dr. Vasquez is also a co-advisor to the Accounting Club and Business Society, the chair of the Strategic Planning Committee of the Department of Business Management, and a recipient of the 2024 President's C.A.R.E.S. Award.

His research on the going concern opinion, auditor behavior in the presence of venture capitalists, blockchain technology, and the technological skills gap of accounting graduates are published in academic and professional journals. Dr. Vasquez’ research on a T.E.C.H. framework that provides guidance to educators on how to embed technology into the accounting curriculum is forthcoming. A redesigned accounting curriculum that provides accounting graduates with the technological skills demanded by the profession is in progress. His co-authored research on IT audits was featured in The Trusted Professional on November 14, 2019.

Dr. Vasquez is a former member of the Auditing Standards, Digital Assets, and Future of Accounting Education Committees of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants. He is also the former Founding Chair of the Board of Trustees of Emblaze Academy Charter School, Inc. (a hybrid middle school start-up). Dr. Vasquez serves on the Editorial Review Board of the Journal of Global Business Insights, the Advisory Board of the Association of Global Educators (AGE), the Scientific Advisory/Paper Review Committee of the Global Conference on Education and Research (GLOCER), and is a peer reviewer for The CPA Journal.

He previously served in various positions in the private and public sectors. Dr. Vasquez has considerable accounting, financial and administrative management, technology project management and auditing experience. He served as the Chief Financial Officer of Sustainable South Bronx, Inc., the Founding Director of Finance and Administration/CFO of the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY (a higher education start-up), and a Senior Auditor for the Office of the New York State Comptroller in the public sector. In the private sector, Dr. Vasquez was responsible for accounting, budgeting, real estate finance, and technology project management functions as a Vice President of Merrill Lynch and Co., Inc.

Dr. Vasquez’ leadership approach is rooted in transformational and participative leadership principles. He articulates goals and objectives with clarity and leads by example. Dr. Vasquez fosters an open-door communication policy, encouraging frequent and meaningful engagement across the college community. While detail oriented, he empowers teams by avoiding unnecessary micromanagement. Dr. Vasquez prioritizes in-person communication over e-mail whenever possible, building strong partnerships and trust across the organization. He believes that every colleague plays a vital role in an institution’s success. Dr. Vasquez’ decision-making approach is data-informed and transparent, promoting diversity of thought and equity.

He holds a DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) from the Fox School of Business and Management (AACSB-accredited) of Temple University. Dr. Vasquez also holds a M.Sc. and B.A., cum laude, in Accounting from the City University of New York-Queens College. He is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society.