HLI Team and 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.

Dr. Leonardo Falcón works as a tenured Assistant Professor of History and Latin American Studies at Nassau Community College since 2019. At NCC he also serves as the Founding Director of the Latin American Center for Academic Success and Achievement, which he created as his capstone project for the Hispanic Leadership Institute in 2023. Dr. Falcón also serves as the advisor to the Student Organization of Latines and as the First Vice-Chair of the Academic Senate at NCC. He has over 20 years of experience organizing and managing educational and cultural programs at the local and statewide levels. As part of his community engagement, he supports the Long Island Latino Teacher Association and the New York Dream Foundation as a board member.   

He was born and raised in Cuba and came to the US in 1994. In 2000 he earned a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from the University of North Texas with a concentration on Maya history and cultural traditions. In 2002 he obtained an M.A. in Latin American and Caribbean Studies, and in 2019 he received a Doctorate in Latin American History from Florida International University.

Dr. Falcón is a huge proponent of Rooted Engagement. This approach departs from the premise that understanding your students’ background as well as your own, leads to honest interactions and to respectful recognition of your students’ skills and struggles. This turns educators into effective facilitators of students’ success. He believes that only by sincerely embracing your students’ dreams as a reflection, continuation, and realization of our own, can we honestly advocate for equity, equality, social mobility, and the fulfillment of their plans. His ultimate goal is to influence the formation of authentic, educated, independent, engaged, hardworking, and productive leaders who will in turn contribute to the betterment of our global community.

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.

Alberto Cardelle began his role as the ninth president of SUNY Oneonta on Sept. 6, 2021. President Cardelle has made clear his belief in the transformative role of public higher education, a commitment to equity and a strong sense of optimism about the potential future generations hold to continue to improve our world. As president, his first goal is to work with every constituency to foster a nurturing community that prioritizes inclusion, health and wellness.

Before coming to SUNY Oneonta, Dr. Cardelle served as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Fitchburg State University in Massachusetts. Prior to his career in higher education, Dr. Cardelle spent a decade working in health care with the World Health Organization, the American Medical Student Association, UNICEF and Oxfam America.

A first-generation American citizen from Miami, Florida, Dr. Cardelle earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Latin American Studies from Tulane University in 1986, Master of Public Health degree from Boston University in 1989, and a doctoral degree in international studies from the University of Miami in 1999.

He and his wife, Dr. Rachel Frick-Cardelle, have three grown daughters.

Bryan is presently the Director of Support Programs at Farmingdale State College.  In this capacity, he serves as the primary supervisor for the institution’s TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) federal grant program and New York State grant-funded Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP).  He is grateful to have also assumed several leadership positions on Farmingdale’s campus such as Co-Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Council, Co-Chair of the First-Generation College Student Celebration Planning Committee, and Founding Member of the college’s Leadership Academy.  

Prior to joining Farmingdale State College in 2019, Bryan held several positions at America Needs You over six and a half years where he oversaw national career development and mentorship programming for first-generation college students.  In the past he also provided counseling services for adolescents for several nonprofit organizations and has taught a wide range of undergraduate Human Services courses at the New York City College of Technology since 2014. 

Bryan earned his master’s degree in Juvenile Studies and the Study of Drug and Alcohol Abuse from John Jay College and received his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Temple University.  He is also a certified Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Practitioner.  

In his free time Bryan loves to spend time with his two daughters, read novels, and compete in triathlons.  Bryan successfully completed the SUNY Hispanic Leadership Institute in 2023 and is a proud alumnus! 

Alfredo Medina, Jr., serves as the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - College Diversity Officer. A strategic thought leader, Dr. Medina is a higher education professional with more than 20 years of experience working in the areas of diversity, inclusion, and equity, civic and public engagement, and risk management and compliance. Dr. Medina joined Bennington College in June 2021.

Prior to his appointment at Bennington, Dr. Medina was the Executive Director of the Office for Public Engagement and Associate Director of the Office for Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Albany. Dr. Medina previously served as Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, Risk Management, and Compliance at Siena College. In addition, he gained extensive experience in the nonprofit sector at the grassroots and executive level for agencies such as the New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. and the Urban League of Northeastern New York, Inc.

Dr. Medina has spearheaded numerous coalition-building initiatives with public and private institutions to strengthen higher education access and partnerships. Due to his success, Dr. Medina has been recognized for his work as a 40 Under Forty Award recipient by the Albany Business Review, 40 Under Forty Rising Latino Star recipient by the Hispanic Coalition of New York, and the Excelsior Award by the Albany Latin Festival Association.

Dr. Medina holds a doctorate in educational policy and leadership and master's degrees in educational administration and policy studies as well as educational psychology and statistics from the University at Albany. He has a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Utica College of Syracuse University and earned a certificate in the Management Development Program from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Tanhena Pacheco Dunn, Esq., assumed the role of Associate Vice President for Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion in August 2016 and became Vice President for Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion on Jan. 1, 2022.

In this role, Pacheco Dunn oversees the areas of human resources and Title IX, creating a more intentional and integrated organization charged with broad responsibility for supporting and developing the people who form our community and are our most valued resource.

In addition, Pacheco Dunn serves as the Chief Diversity Officer. In this capacity she co-chairs the Diversity & Inclusion Council with a member of the faculty and leads the Bias Response Team. A member of the President’s Cabinet since 2017, she partners cross-divisionally to advance the University’s commitment to antiracism, diversity, equity and inclusion. Pacheco Dunn advocates for the practice of institutional decision making through a lens of equity and the importance of sustained engagement in diversity equity and inclusion work to effect meaningful cultural change at all levels of the institution.  

Pacheco Dunn was appointed as the first executive director for compliance & campus climate in 2012. In this role, Pacheco Dunn is responsible for monitoring the University’s compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures as they apply to: Title IX provisions that deal with sexual assault, sexual harassment, and hostile workplace issues; affirmative action; and New York State ethics legislation. This includes resolving complaints, making policy recommendations, designing and facilitating training for students and employees (with support from Student Affairs and Human Resources, respectively), developing and administering the University’s affirmative action plan, and serving as the point of contact on relevant compliance questions from state, federal or other regulatory agencies.

Prior to her appointment at New Paltz, Pacheco Dunn served as the assistant director of human resources at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, where she was responsible for employee relations issues including compliance, performance management and staffing needs for more than 1,100 employees. She partnered with the EEOA office to support continued training in the areas of harassment, non-discrimination and Title IX. In addition, Pacheco Dunn managed the Worker’s Compensation, Family Medical Leave and Disability processes; had administrative oversight of three collective bargaining agreements; and assisted with drafting policies and responses to legal matters. Prior to her position at Vassar College, Pacheco Dunn was an alumni recruiter for the Albany Law School in Albany, New York.

Pacheco Dunn holds her juris doctor degree from Albany Law School of Union University and her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Vassar College. She is also certified as a New York State mediator.

Christina Vargas is the Chief Diversity Officer and Title IX Coordinator at Suffolk County Community College. She has responsibility for leading strategic efforts to build a more equitable and diverse academic community and inclusive college climate. She leads and advises senior leadership using values and skills such as respecting, understanding and honoring differences; continuous improvement; lifelong learning; and building trust. Ms. Vargas has designed and implemented the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) professional development institute for faculty and staff, is a facilitator for the Braver Spaces LGBTQ+ allyship program, provides oversight of faculty and staff diversity recruitment, and oversees anti-discrimination and sexual violence prevention programs.

She spent 20 years of her career at Stony Brook University, serving as the Director of Diversity and Affirmative Action/Title IX Coordinator. She is past President of Stony Brook University's Alumni Association and co-founder of the Black and Latino Alumni network. She is an adjunct lecturer for the Master's Program in Higher Education Administration at Stony Brook University and was the recipient of the program's Faculty Excellence Award in 2018. Ms. Vargas is a recipient of SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service. She serves on the Board of Directors for ERASE Racism, Inc. and was its co-chair for five years. In 2020-2021 she served on the Suffolk County Police Reform and Reinvention Task Force. In 2022, She received the Long island Business News Diversity in Business Award.

Ms. Vargas received her Bachelor of Science in Business Management and her Master of Science in Management and Policy from Stony Brook.  She holds a Diversity Management Certification as an Advanced Practitioner from Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations.

A proud Boricua, born and raised in Brooklyn, she was given the honor of serving as the 2018 Grand Marshal of the 52nd annual Puerto Rican/Hispanic Day parade of Long Island. She was a member of the 2020 cohort of the SUNY Hispanic Leadership Institute.