1990s: Laying the Groundwork
The 1990s marked the beginning of a purposeful journey toward institutional equity. Much of the foundational work during this decade was led by the Office of Multicultural Affairs (ōMA) under the visionary leadership of Denise Belén Santiago. Through advocacy, education, and community-building, ōMA's efforts created a vital framework for the Division’s future initiatives. This era laid the groundwork for a more inclusive and socially conscious campus culture.
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Provost Marilyn Jaffe-Ruiz leads the University Committee for Diversity (formally known as the Task Force on Diversity), which was made to retain and recruit diverse faculty, ensure students have a sense of belonging, and maintain open communication between the President's Office and all areas invested in diversity.
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The Office of Multicultural Affairs is housed under the Counseling Center.
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Shanelle Henry and Cornell Craig lead the Westchester Diversity Team.
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Dr. Denise Belén Santiago leads the Coalition on Diversity, a group comprised of faculty, staff, and students from the NYC campus focusing on programming. The Coalition brought in numerous consultants to foster a diverse campus community.
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Starting Fall 1999, a mandatory, one-semester Diversity 101 course is offered to incoming students.