DDI Good News | September 2021
A warm welcome to three new members of the Division of Diversity and Inclusion!
Theodore Adams is the new director for the Upward Bound Program. He is very familiar with the program having been a member of Upward Bound Classic and Upward Bound Math/ Science during his high school years. Theodore joins us from the Center for Youth where we was a Child and Family Therapist. Theodore holds a bachelor’s in social work from Buffalo State College and a master’s in organizational leadership from Medaille College. He is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.
Tracy Ibezim, joined DDI as the new assistant director for Upward Bound in June. Tracy is a life- long resident of Rochester, NY, and received both her bachelor’s degree and master of public administration (MPA) from SUNY Brockport. Previously, Tracy worked with Roberts Wesleyan College as the coordinator for Campus COVID-19 Testing within the Health Center.
Cliff Jacobs is the new director of the Native American Future Stewards Program. Cliff most recently worked at Columbia University where he held the position of assistant director of Special Interest Communities. He has experience working in higher education and in the social work fields with a strong emphasis on Diversity and Identity Initiatives. Cliff received his master of social work (M.S.W.) from Columbia University.
Taj Smith, director of Diversity Education, is teaching an undergraduate course, Men, Males and Masculinities, this semester. The course is sponsored by the Women, Gender and Sexualities Studies program.
Congratulations to the following on their promotions: Lorraine Stinebiser, director for Faculty Diversity and Recruitment, Office of Faculty Diversity and Recruitment, Maria Vega, faculty recruitment assistant, Office of Faculty Diversity and Recruitment and Devon Watters, assistant director for Marketing and Communications, Division of Diversity and Inclusion.
Best wishes. After a decade with DDI, Jonathan Ntheketha, former associate director of Student Success and Engagement, Multicultural Center for Academic Success, has accepted a new position, leading the Diversity Equity and Inclusion efforts at The Harley School.