SUNY Chancellor King Announces Fourth Cohort of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Fellows
September 18, 2026
Fellows Will Provide Support for Continued Implementation of SUNY's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion General Education Requirement
Albany, NY – State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today announced the fourth cohort of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Fellows (DEISJ). The fellows will use their interdisciplinary expertise to update and develop courses within SUNY's diversity, equity, and inclusion general education requirements, as well as strengthen the community of practice in the DEISJ field across SUNY's 64 colleges and universities.
"Diversity, equity, and inclusion are foundational values to SUNY's mission to remain an engine of upward mobility and student success for people from all backgrounds," said SUNY Chancellor King. "The essential work of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Fellows ensures students receive a well-rounded education. I extend my sincerest congratulations to this year's fellows."
SUNY Trustee Marcos Crespo, Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, said, "The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Fellows epitomize SUNY's commitment to providing access to an excellent education that upholds inclusion and diversity. The fellows' vast expertise and continued collaboration will advance the success of our students throughout their academic journeys and beyond."
The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Fellowship Program is open to all SUNY full-time faculty regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability status, or any other protected class. All application submissions are assessed and evaluated in accordance with the required eligibility criteria.
The fellows selected for the fourth cohort are:
- Asif Ahmed: Associate Professor of Engineering Technology at SUNY Polytechnic Institute
- Jessica Best: Professor of English and Diversity Initiatives Coordinator at SUNY Adirondack
- Tokeya C. Graham: Full Professor of English and Philosophy at Monroe Community College
- Jaime Nicole Hartless: Assistant Professor of Sociology at Farmingdale State College
- David Jacome: Accounting Lecturer and Accounting Area Coordinator at SUNY Brockport
- Saundra Liggins: Associate Professor of English at SUNY Fredonia
- Sonja Ann Miller: Tenure Track Education and Social Sciences Instructor at Hudson Valley Community College
- Lubna Omar: Anthropology Instructor at the State University of New York at Binghamton
- Jodi Scondras: Director of Human Service Careers and Education at Genesee Community College
The 2026-2027 cohort of DEISJ fellows will:
- Develop an individual or collaborative project to support the teaching of DEISJ courses and topics.
- Gather and amplify resources for the development and teaching of General Education DEISJ courses to provide support for faculty across various disciplines System-wide.
- In coordination with the SUNY Office of the Provost, continue to survey the implementation of the DEISJ General Education requirement across the system and provide recommendations to the SUNY Office of the Provost.
- Offer directed support to faculty and campuses for developing and teaching courses that meet the DEISJ General Education requirement.
- Host regional workshops at community colleges to support the teaching of DEISJ.
- Facilitate other workshops or offer consultations upon campus and/or System Administration request.
- Participate in sustaining and growing a DEISJ community of practice.
- Collaborate with other Academic Affairs Fellows Programs to support intersections among the scope of responsibilities for each.
State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, said, "Over the years, SUNY has developed the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion General Education requirement. Courses in this area give students an opportunity to learn about the many communities that make up New York and to think carefully about questions they will encounter throughout their lives and careers. The fellows announced today bring experience from campuses with different missions across the system, and I look forward to the courses they develop. I thank Chancellor King and the SUNY Board of Trustees for their continued attention to this work, and I thank the fellows for taking it on."
State Assemblymember Alicia L. Hyndman, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Higher Education, said, "As a Member of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Legislative Caucus, I am a big supporter of SUNY’s diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice fellow program. As DEI initiatives are being attacked around the country, I am proud that SUNY is implementing them at its 64 campuses. Congrats to the fellows of the fourth cohort who were selected for the program."
State Assemblymember Karines Reyes, RN., Chair of the NYS Assembly & Senate's Puerto Rican / Hispanic Task Force said, "Access to higher education means shaping classrooms that reflect the students they serve. These educators are doing that meaningful work, building courses and communities grounded in equity and inclusion, and preparing our students for the world they'll enter. I congratulate this fourth cohort of DEISJ Fellows, and I thank Chancellor King for continuing to prioritize this work across our public university system."
State Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, Chair of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus, said, "Building a stronger New York means ensuring that the next generation of leaders reflects the communities they serve and understands the barriers New Yorkers face. SUNY's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Fellowship gives students an opportunity to turn their education into meaningful public service and gain firsthand experience shaping policy. I congratulate the fourth cohort of fellows and look forward to seeing how they use this experience to expand opportunity and strengthen communities across our state."
The DEISJ Fellows program is open to all current SUNY full-time faculty. Preference is given to applicants who are scheduled to teach a DEISJ-designated course during the 2026-2027 academic year; have experience with General Education curriculum approval or assessment; have a record of working with organizations or initiatives on their home campus that demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; and professional experience with Title VI protections against discrimination and harassment.
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and annually one in three New Yorkers who earn a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.
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