In the wake of ongoing protests, followed by a string of police brutality cases against unarmed Black men and women in 2020, colleges and universities began spotlighting racial injustices on their campuses.
Although perhaps not directly prompted by the summer’s protests, higher ed institutions also began hiring chief diversity officers in droves to help address diversity, equity and inclusion – and other related matters – on campus.
John Strong was appointed chief diversity and equity officer (CDEO) at Niagara County Community College in New York, which is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system.
SUNY had agreed that its campuses needed diversity officers in 2016, Strong said, but the responsibilities of such officers were placed on other people, such as a vice president for human resources.
However, after the protests of summer 2020, NCCC created an official chief diversity officer position, with Strong appointed as the school’s first in August.
Since starting, Strong has implemented NCCC’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) plan and helped create the school’s hub for DEI resources – such as course listings and clubs – and a monthly calendar that includes guest speakers.
Under his tenure, NCCC is also working to improve relations between its community and law enforcement, emulating the Peaceful Guardians Project from Kingston, New York, Strong said.
