Guided to Action by a Clear Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Founded in 1868 as the Cortland Normal School, the State University of New York College at Cortland (SUNY Cortland) is an academic community dedicated to diverse learning experiences.

Students at SUNY Cortland grow as engaged citizens with a strong social conscience fostered by outstanding teaching, scholarship and service. For a six consecutive years, SUNY Cortland has received federal recognition for its community service by being named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.

Vice President C. Gregory Sharer leads the Division of Student Affairs, comprised of 110 full-time and five part-time staff members across many departments in the division, including the Academic Support and Achievement Program, the Campus Activities and Corey Union Office, the Educational Opportunity Program, the Multicultural Life and Diversity
Office, and the Student Development Center, among others.

The mission of Student Affairs at SUNY Cortland is to enhance students’ experience and facilitate their development and growth. For Sharer, the institutional mission cannot be achieved “without a clear commitment to diversity and inclusion.”

As an outgrowth of that commitment, Sharer says he believes, “Student affairs has a responsibility to model the way
for our students and colleagues across the institution.”

Whether focused on the SafeZone Training initiative to promote inclusion of their lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, questioning, intersex, or asexual (LGBTQIA) community members, or the creation of their Multicultural
Council that brings together Cortland faculty, staff, students and community members in relation to diversity and inclusion, student affairs at SUNY Cortland demonstrates their commitment through action.

The Division of Student Affairs also supports diversity and inclusion efforts by focusing on building a healthy bridge between student affairs and academic affairs. Noelle Paley, director of multicultural life and diversity,
provides leadership on issues of diversity and inclusion for the institution.

When reflecting on the programming and services students receive at SUNY Cortland, Paley shares, “The Office of
Multicultural Life and Diversity works toward diversity and inclusion by training students to be peer diversity trainers, providing an annual diversity retreat and an annual student conference on diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.”

In addition to these student-focused activities, the Office of Multicultural Life and Diversity hosts professional development workshops for faculty and staff that center on issues of diversity and inclusion.

Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion is what makes the Division of Student Affairs at SUNY Cortland one
of this year’s “30+ Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs.”