The Finance & Administration Alliance for Culture, Diversity & Inclusion has been hard at work since the start of the new year, planning and hosting several events on campus aimed at uniting the division’s employees and celebrating the unique cultural makeup of each of the 1,200+ staff members.
In January, the group kicked off the new year with a cultural exploration through film, lunch and learn event. Participants were led by Zebulon Vance Miletsky, associate professor of Africana Studies, as he guided an interactive discussion weaving in the film Judas and the Black Messiah with the complex dynamics of racial justice, political resistance and state surveillance in 1960s America.
On February 12, the group hosted a Global New Year’s Traditions lunch in the Charles B. Wang Center to celebrate the last day of the Chinese New Year. The luncheon included plates representing traditional New Year’s foods from around the world and provided Stony Brook staff with an opportunity to connect with colleagues, expand their cultural horizons and try new foods in a fun and friendly atmosphere.
Jed Shivers, senior vice president for Finance and Administration at Stony Brook, spoke at the lunch about Stony Brook’s rich history of championing diversity.
“One of the hallmarks of our university is celebrating what makes each member of our Seawolf community unique,” he said. “Each of our Finance & Administration teammates has a rich and diverse cultural background that they infuse into their work each day. In addition to this, our teammates represent incredible diversity in the roles we hold here on campus. From our grounds crew, to accountants, to police officers, lab technicians, fire marshals, financial planners, custodians, budget officers, construction crews, bus drivers, human resources professionals, facilities technicians, our team in the lock shop, and our staff protecting our institutional data and all of our digital assets in DoIT, we’ve assembled talented teammates, and through events like this, we ensure that everyone feels welcome. That’s what makes us special, that’s what makes us different, that’s what makes us unique. That’s who we are as Seawolves.”
Alexandra Rose, operations specialist in the Office of Communications and Marketing at Stony Brook, spoke of the positive impact diversity initiatives have had on her family.
“Both of my parents are from Haiti,” she said. “I was born and raised in Connecticut, and I’ve built the most monumental relationships in my life here at Stony Brook. All of us at Stony Brook have such an opportunity to make a change, to bring unity, to bring collaboration and positivity. We are all facing a challenge, and we all have something that’s keeping us up and stressing us out. But we’re lucky to be on this beautiful campus surrounded by great people. We are all going through life, right? And that’s what makes us the same.”
The Alliance is now working to plan a women’s workwear clothing donation during the month of March, in honor of Women’s History Month. Donations will benefit a local Dress for Success chapter, an organization dedicated to empowering women with professional attire and interview skills as they launch or advance their careers (including SBU students as they prepare for the next phase of their lives). They will be accepting workwear clothing, accessories or shoes. Those who are interested are encouraged to visit the website to learn more.
Learn more at the Finance & Administration website.
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