About the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The office works with community organizations, businesses, school districts, and other partners to help develop collaborative relationships within Hudson Valley Community College and the surrounding community, both on and off campus.
Our office coordinates a variety of initiatives and services at the college including:
- serving as a resource for education and training on diversity
- providing guest lecturers on diversity topics
- promoting student enrollment and retention initiatives
- promoting employee recruitment and retention initiatives, and
- promoting student engagement and mentoring initiatives.
The office collaborates with the college's Physical Plant and other offices to ensure facilities are both welcoming and supportive.
Meet the ODEI Team
Ainsley Thomas
Chief Diversity Officer
Ainsley came to the college in 2017 after working for Albany County, where he served as Director of Affirmative Action for four years and oversaw the county-wide development, implementation and monitoring of anti-discrimination, equal employment opportunity, sexual harassment and ADA compliance policies.
He has a M.A. from SUNY Albany and a B.A. from LeMoyne College.
Goals
- To create a campus environment where diversity and inclusion are valued and divergent points of view can be presented
- To ensure a healthy and respectful space for everyone on campus
- To promote inclusive and respectful interactions among the college's faculty, staff and students
- To ensure that programs are reflective of diverse races, political views, ethnic groups, religions, sexual orientations and cultures
- To build opportunities that will raise awareness of diversity by educating the college community on how to embrace and value diverse backgrounds
- To celebrate diversity in the college community by providing support to individuals who are underserved based on their socio-economic background, disabilities, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or other factors
- To afford members of the college community opportunities to advocate for themselves and direct them to appropriate campus services and resources
- To assist in the advancement of the college-wide appreciation for diversity, pluralism and multiculturalism