Anthony Baird
Anthony Baird
Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion & Student Transitions
(315) 792-3310
DEI Collaborative
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Collaborative is a collective of over 18 voluntary task and action groups. Under the leadership of and with support from the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion & Student Transitions, each group is led by a faculty member, a staff member, and a student, who work in tandem with their respective volunteer members to effectively implement their intended initiatives on campus.
Although the action groups cover a variety of areas, from campus beautification to intra-cultural competency training, the DEI Collaborative is engaged in ongoing work that increases the awareness and appreciation of diversity on campus and in society at large. Through the implementation of programs, activities, and events, the Collaborative endeavors to build a sense of unity within and across cultures.
Originally called the Multicultural Program Committee, the group was formed in 1990 on the heels of the University’s first Unity March in 1989. The Unity March was an expression of racial unity and positive, proactive action by Utica University students at a time when racial tensions were particularly explosive throughout the nation and on many college campuses. A full history of the March can be found on our Unity March webpage.
The mission of the DEI Collaborative has expanded over the years to include issues of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, abilities, etc.
Want to get involved? Contact the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at diversity@bianlifan.com to learn about joining the Collaborative.
The DEI Collaborative was established as the “Multicultural Program Committee” in 1990. After a series of incidents at Utica University, other local colleges, and in the Utica community drew attention to the divisions that still existed between members of our community based on race and ethnicity, Utica University spearheaded the first Unity March in 1989.
The initial Unity March was sponsored by the Black Student Union as an expression of racial unity, with the intention of bringing together members of the Utica University community to proactively address issues of race and ethnicity on campus and in our community. Members of local colleges, including SUNY Morrisville, Colgate University, Hamilton College, MVCC, and SUNY Tech participate as well.
One of the outcomes of the many discussions that occurred that year was the establishment of the “Multicultural Program Committee” in 1990. In 1991, the “Program” part of the Committee name was dropped, and it became the Multicultural Committee and an integral part of the governance system at Utica University. The focus of the committee also broadened to include issues of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, abilities, etc. The name of the committee was changed to the Diversity Committee and later the DEI Collaborative, and it continues as a University committee with membership that includes faculty, staff, and students across disciplines and offices.
One of the activities most associated with the Multicultural/Diversity Committee/DEI Collaborative is the Unity March. Some information about Utica University Unity Marches follows:
- First Unity March occurred in 1989. This event was a response to incidents that had occurred on several campuses in the area, and was both a protest that such situations continued to occur and an expression of the belief in our ability to live together in harmony.
- Unity Marches initially were called “Candlelight Unity March for Racial Harmony”, and participants marched in the evening from Oneida Square to City Hall.
- In 1991, Unity March was advertised as the “Unity March: A Celebration of Diversity”, but primarily addressed racial and ethnic diversity. By 1992, the focus of the march had broadened, and co-sponsors included not only student organizations such as the Black Student Union and the Latin American Student Union but newly formed groups such as the Womyn’s Resource Center and the Gay and Lesbian Student Alliance.
- Every Unity March included members of local colleges and the community; some came because they were explicitly invited, while others would see the March was occurring and simply join us.
- Other activities that took place at some of the marches included banner contests, marching with candles (or lighting candles at end of march), and guest speakers or presentations before or after the march.
- Eventually the format for Unity Marches evolved into a pre-march rally with speakers, then the march from Oneida Square, a gathering and speak-out after the march and, occasionally, post-march activities (such as a play, panel discussions, etc.). The route for marchers took students, faculty/staff and community members from Oneida Square through the surrounding community and back to Plymouth Bethesda Church for the post-march speak out. The final Unity March in 2003 ended at Pratt Institute as part of a collaborative effort between Pratt and Utica University students.
- Unity Marches became a powerful expression of the belief in the gifts diversity brings to our campus and our communities, but also affirmed the need to talk with each other and understand each other in order to better support each other. You can see those concepts expressed in the eventual banner design that was used for several years, in which the words “Community” and “Unity Through Diversity” encircle the words “Peace and Justice” Include design here
- The Unity March began to lose its relevance as a student-initiated event, and eventually became less representative of a strategy for the campus community to express our belief in the value of cultural diversity. As a result, the Diversity Committee suggested that the campus move towards a Multicultural Retreat in the spring of 2005 in order to bring members of the Utica College community back together to take a look at the ways in which Utica University is diverse, what the climate at Utica University is like in terms of being inclusive and welcoming, and raise issues that still need to be addressed.
The DEI Collaborative has been involved in a number of other activities in response to needs of the Utica University campus. Such activities include:
- Peer leadership program (1992) – was intended to develop, implement, and assist in programming related to issues of diversity and multiculturalism on the Utica University Campus. The intention was for this group to serve as a liaison, when their assistance was requested, between students, faculty, and the administration at times of racial or cultural crisis or tension. This program does not currently exist at Utica College.
- Train-the-trainer programming with Hamilton College and Colgate University (1995)
- Funding creative programming focused on cultural diversity (2002-2003)
- Other programs, such as a flag presentation day and a multicultural fair, were initiated by the Diversity Committee and incorporated into regular programming planning by offices such as the International Programs office and Student Activities.
The DEI Collaborative welcomes the participation of any member of the Utica University community - students, staff, or faculty!
To become a member, contact Mark Kovacs at mkovacs@bianlifan.com.
Current Members
| Name | Title |
| Andrea Casuras | Assistant Director, Center for Student Success |
| Anthony Baird | VP & Chief Diversity Officer, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion & Student Transitions |
| Ashlea Schad | Director of Development, Advancement |
| Brian Gleitsmann | Senior Assistant Director, Admissions |
| Cara Patterson | Student |
| Christine Leogrande | Director of Media Relations, Marketing & Communications |
| Ciara Parrish | Assistant Director - Alumni & Student Engagement, Advancement |
| Cicily Talerico | Professor of Practice, Occupational Therapy |
| Civita Allard | Associate Professor of Nursing |
| Corinne Murphy | Student |
| Corinne Tagliarina | Adjunct Instructor of Government |
| Crystal Santiago Cora | Student |
| Deborah Wilson-Allam | Executive Director, International Education |
| Dorothy Obernesser | Assistant Professor of English |
| Dymond Howell | Counselor/Tutorial Coordinator, Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) |
| Dylan Bennett | Student |
| Edward Yeboah | Student |
| Elizabeth Nassar | Director, Academic Business Development |
| Ellen Smith | Associate Professor of Nursing |
| Jasper Wojtach | Retention/Tutoring Coordinator, TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) |
| Jessica Amerosa | Assistant Director, Office of Learning Services |
| Jillian Szeliga | Benefits Coordinator, Human Resources |
| John Ossowski | Clinical Counselor |
| Kathleen Cullen | Associate Professor of Education |
| Kelly Minerva | Assistant Professor of English |
| Kira Maddox | Communications, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion & Student Transitions |
| Kyle Mitchell | Student |
| Laurah Klepinger | Assistant Professor of Anthropology |
| Lisa Green | VP, Human Resources-Personnel Development |
| Lynne Ferrara | Adjunct Lecturer of Music |
| Mark Kovacs | Executive Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion & Student Transitions |
| Mathew Vincent | Assistant Director, TRiO Student Support Services |
| Margaret Hemstrought | Assistant Professor of Wellness & Adventure Education |
| Meghan Jordan | Program Manager, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion & Student Transitions |
| Nina Nguyen | Project Manager & Senior Administrative Assistant, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion & Student Transitions |
| Olivia Kodsy | Student |
| Patrice Hallock | Professor of Education |
| Rayna Orsino | Assistant Director, Admissions |
| Sam Berry-Sullivan | Reference Librarian |
| Samantha Marocco | Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy |
| Shakha John | Network Administrator, IITS |
| Stacy Phelps | Coordinator, International Education |
| Tegan Kurucz | Student |
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Additional Resources
DEI Collaborative's Recommended Web Links
American Association of Colleges and Universities
Since 1971 AAC&U has developed initiatives that bring together faculty and institutions of higher learning to provide national leadership that advances diversity and equity in higher education, and the best educational practices for an increasingly diverse population. AAC&U understands diversity and equity as fundamental goals of higher education and as resources for learning that are valuable for all students, vital to democracy and a democratic workforce and to the global position and wellbeing of the United States.
Americans with Disabilities Act
The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division provides information about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
College Guide for LGBTQ Students (bestcolleges.com)
Bestcolleges.com features resources designed to inform LGBTQ prospective students about LGTBQ-friendly campuses.
Campus Pride serves LGBT and ally student leaders and campus organizations in the areas of leadership development, support programs and services to create safer, more inclusive LGBT-friendly colleges and universities. It exists to develop, support and give “voice and action” in building future LGBT and ally student leaders. Campus Pride envisions campuses and a society free of anti-LGBT prejudice, bigotry and hate. It works to develop student leaders, campus networks, and future actions to create such positive change.
Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals
The combined vision and mission of the Consortium is to achieve higher education environments in which lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni have equity in every respect. Our goals are to support colleagues and develop curriculum to professionally enhance this work; to seek climate improvement on campuses; and to advocate for policy change, program development, and establishment of LGBT Office/Centers.
Diversity Inc is the leading publication on diversity and business. Its mission is to bring education and clarity to the business benefits of diversity.
Higher Education Recruitment Consortium
Diversity is integral to institutional excellence. HERC understands the need to remove barriers to the recruitment, retention, and advancement of talented faculty and staff from historically excluded and underrepresented populations. HERC maintains a list of higher education and related publications, websites, associations, organizations, and professional societies that serve diverse constituents and publish diverse content.
Human Rights Campaign
As the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, the Human Rights Campaign represents a force of more than 1.5 million members and supporters nationwide — all committed to making HRC's vision a reality. Founded in 1980, HRC advocates on behalf of LGBT Americans, mobilizes grassroots actions in diverse communities, invests strategically to elect fair-minded individuals to office and educates the public about LGBT issues.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination. The vision of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race.
Noah is a transgender male who will shift our understanding of gender. During his TEDx Flour City Talk, "What's Left? Our Rights." he'll share his personal journey to help us empathize with how something so basic as identity can be challenged daily. Also view his YouTube video, made while he was a student at Nazareth College.
The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Throughout our history, the YWCA has been in the forefront of most major movements in the United States as a pioneer in race relations, labor union representation, and the empowerment of women.
Need information on a particular holiday found across the world? Want to find out when to celebrate? The Earth Calendar is a non-profit website to which individuals submit information about the world's holidays and celebrations.
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