Lizette Alvarado currently serves as Associate Director of the SUNY Oswego Office of International Education and Programs where she oversees and supervises projects related to recruiting and promoting study abroad to students at SUNY Oswego, including study abroad fairs, class/residence hall presentations, etc. Lizette Alvarado holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Spanish from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Cortland and a Master of Arts in Anthropology from the University at Buffalo. In the Fall semester of 1990, Ms. Alvarado served as an Exchange Student for the University of Puerto Rico and conducted anthropology fieldwork in the summer semester of 1993 and 2000 in Yucatan and Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Meylin Andares is the Director of Enrollment And Student Success, responsible for creating new strategic initiatives to help targeted populations including but not limited to African-American males, transfers and first-generation low-income students. Ms. Andares holds a Bachelor of Arts, Latin American and Caribbean Studies and a Master of Arts in Social Studies from the University at Albany and a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from Stony Brook University. Meylin received a letter of recommendation from Board Chair, H. Carl McCall.
Maria Boada is Associate Dean of Academic Affairs of Dutchess Community College where she works with the Provost, Dean of Academic Affairs and other Associate Deans to supervise instructional support services for the college, assisting the Dean of Academic Affairs to coordinate faculty searches as well as the promotion and tenure process. Maria also serves on the Administrative Staff Council, Department Affairs Council, Program Chairs Council and other committees as assigned. Maria Boada holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the Universidad de Oriente, Venezuela and a Master of Science in Physics from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. Additionally, Maria is in the process of earning her Doctorate in Executive Leadership, expected in May of 2019.
Antonia Custodio describes herself as a strong effective visionary leader with 15 years campus operational experience overseeing facilities and 29 years' experience working in a multi-cultural and diverse environment. Born in Utuado, Puerto Rico and raised in New Jersey she owes a debt of gratitude to her mother and father her role models who taught her the value of hard work, staying true to yourself, being humble, and the importance of a good education. Qualities she has instilled in her two boys. In her role, Antonia manages the day-to-day Administrative and Operational deliverables of the Downtown Campus. She is responsible for the oversight of office, classroom, common area space usage and scheduling for the campus. Her responsibilities also include academic course scheduling and Project Manager for construction projects at the Downtown Campus. Ms. Custodio holds an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts from Monroe Community College, Bachelor of Science in Organization Management and Master of Science in Strategic Leadership from Roberts Wesleyan.
Dr. Karen Ferrer-Muñiz, PhD has more than 30 years of experience as an educational administrator, faculty and academic advisor, specializing in student life development, retention and enrollment management, developmental education, and academic support services, currently serving as Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of Massachusetts, Boston (UMass Boston). Previously, Karen was the Vice President of Enrollment Management & Dean of Students at Utica University, the Dean for Academic Support Services & Retention at Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC), and the Associate Dean of Students/Director of Minority Student Affairs & HEOP at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, NY.
As a transformational intentional servant Leader and in this capacities her responsibilities have included recruitment, admissions, financial aid, advisement, onboarding students, orientation, campus safety and police, health services, campus student activities, counseling services, religious affairs, multicultural affairs, learning centers, advising centers, college preparation programs, students' athletes' persistence, developmental learning, faculty development, instructional support services, and retention programs. Her accomplishments are based on combining both areas of academic and student affairs to promote student success and retention on campus. She is in involve in institutional accreditation processes, promoting educational excellence and quality assurance as a peer evaluator, in the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Karen received her bachelor’s degree in political sciences from the Inter American University of Puerto Rico. She also received her master’s degree and a PhD from State University of New York at Albany in Social Sciences and Latin American Studies. In addition, Karen is the 2019 SUNY Hispanic Leadership Institute Fellow in Residence. She has worked as a board member with several professional associations, including SUNY Council on Assessment, Centro Civico Hispano-Americano Inc., co -founder of Upstate New York Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Ibero Inc., Girl Scouts of America, Tech Valley High School Business Alliance Board, Educational Opportunity Center Advisory Board and the Children's Museum of Science and Technology.
Karen's personal interest and mission is to provide tools for success to underrepresented and under-served students, especially in higher education. She came from the Island of Puerto Rico 34 years ago and since then she has volunteered and dedicated her time to work with community-based organizations throughout the US northeast region.
Dr. Oscar Gomez-Duarte completed his undergraduate education in 1979 earning a Bachelor in Science from Camilo Torres National College in Bogota Colombia. Dr. Gomez-Duarte leads SUNY University at Buffalo's efforts of conducting excellence in infectious diseases research, patient care and teaching.
Lisa Gonzalez is a fundraising professional currently working as the Associate Director for Annual Giving at the University at Albany. During her career at UAlbany, Lisa has worked in an academic unit, development research, advancement operations, major giving and corporate and foundation relations. She manages annual and leadership giving programs for special constituencies, as well as the UAlbany Fund Call Center. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public and Criminal Justice from SUNY Oswego and Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University at Albany.
Hector Graciano, is the Associate Dean of Adjunct Services, Professional Development and Online Education for Westchester Community College. In this capacity, Mr. Graciano develops initiatives to advance professional development, oversees the recruitment and hiring practices for adjunct faculty, collaborate with faculty to develop procedures and guidelines for online education courses and assist with the development and implementation of college-wide training initiatives for assessment, academic scheduling, applicant tracking systems and data analyses. Hector possesses a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature/Rhetoric from and Latin American Studies, Binghamton University as well as a Master in Arts in Instructional Technology and Media from Teachers College – Columbia University.
Claudia Hernandez is serving as the first Director-in-Residence of the SUNY Hispanic Leadership Institute since February of 2021. In this capacity, she plays a key leadership role in assisting the Executive Director and Project Coordinator in the development and implementation of the HLI.
Claudia is the Education Abroad and Financial Manager for the Office of Global Affairs (OGA) at SUNY System Administration. In this capacity, she serves as a liaison between SUNY System Administration and the offices of International Education at each SUNY campus regarding policies, procedures and financial issues related to education abroad. She is responsible for the review and approval of all SUNY education abroad programs and data collection on student participation for those programs. As the Financial Manager, she administers the OGA budget and serves as a liaison to the Research Foundation’s Office of Sponsored Programs as the global affairs grant manager. Claudia joined OGA in 2004, following eight years of a successful career as a lawyer in Colombia. Claudia earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations with a concentration in Latin America from SUNY New Paltz; a Graduate degree in Finance from the Universidad del Rosario, School of Economics, Bogota, Colombia; and a JD from the Universidad Externado de Colombia, School of Law, Bogota, Colombia.
Ti bisay Hernandez is the Manager of DEI Solutions at Grand River Solutions consulting firm. She has over fifteen years of experience in educational program creation for early childhood and higher education institutions. She is a certified implicit bias facilitator for the National Training Institute for Racial Equity who has trained over 1500 NYC Department of Education educators. Tibisay was elected as Eastern Association’s Colleges and Employers (EACE) 2021 – 2023 Board Director for DEI and a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society.
In her previous roles, Tibisay served as the Assistant Director for Employer Relations, University at Albany, where she coordinated employer recruitment efforts and provided students with career development programming and advisement. Tibisay recently served in a dual role as Assistant Director for Diversity and Inclusion where she trained faculty and staff on implicit bias, inclusive search practices, and operationalizing diversity strategies.
Dr. Sebastian Purcell is an award-winning researcher in Latin American philosophy, ethics and logic. Beyond his professional research, Dr. Purcell uses his training in analytical techniques to make a positive on the world. Dr. Purcell advocates on behalf of marginalized groups and has received grant funding to support local non-profit organizations in education endeavors. Sebastian earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from The University of Dallas; a Master of Arts and PhD in Philosophy from Boston College.
In his capacity as department chair of the Romance Languages and Literatures Department of the University at Buffalo, Dr. Read proved his leadership potential by bringing the department faculty together and developing a coherent and innovative plan for the department’s future. Dr. Read holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Latin American Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, Master of Arts in Comparative Literature, University of Michigan and Doctorate in Comparative Literature, University of Michigan.
Dr. Torres is an experienced Assistant Professor with a demonstrated history of working in higher education. Dr. Torres is skilled in instructional design, academic writing, student development science and statistics. He is a strong research professional with a Doctor of Philosophy focused in Exercise and Physical Activity Behavior from Ohio State University.
Denise Valdés serves as the Director of the Educational Opportunity Program at Onondaga Community College. Denise holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and English as a Second Language education, from Utica College, a Master of Arts in Linguistics with a concentration in Language, Culture and Society from Syracuse University and a Masters of Philosophy in Composition and Cultural Rhetoric also conferred by Syracuse University. Denise is a second generation Puerto Rican born in New York City. Her grandparents are from Ponce, Santurce, and Manatí, Puerto Rico.