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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

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DEI in Action

women's history month

Women’s History Month is recognized in the month of March. During this time, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion hosts several events to commemorate women's struggles, achievements, and successes with the goal of collaboratively honoring and raising awareness for Women's History.

adaptive exhibit

Runway of Dreams:The Adaptive Exhibit

Presented in the Spring of 2023, the newly chartered Runway of Dreams at Marist showcased The Adaptive Exhibit in the Steel Plant Gallery. This student-led initiative exhibited the production and curation of fashionable, functional, and accessible adaptive clothing & apparel that is specially designed for people with disabilities.

black history month

Black History month is a time to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions and achievements of African Americans and Black people. It also acknowledges the suffering, challenges, and pain Black people have had to overcome. Marist's celebration of Black History Month is informed by understanding the historical and ongoing struggles faced by Black communities and appreciating their resilience and accomplishments in the face of challenges.

civil rights spotlight

As part of an annual spring attachment course, Marist students take a week-long trip, called “The Struggle for Racial Justice in the South” to multiple infamous cities, with deep historical roots. Students explore historic locations along the civil rights trail and is designed so that they understand the role race has played in American history.

In 2021, Marist announced the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History (GLI) scholarship program. The GLI scholarship is awarded to students from the organization’s national network of affiliated schools that demonstrate an exceptional achievement in the study of history.

“It is critical that talented students from all backgrounds have the necessary resources to pursue their education at Marist and take full advantage of the robust academic experiences we offer. [The] GLI partnership underscores Marist’s commitment to the study of history and the humanities and to promoting access for all students.”
- President Kevin Weinman

Image of Terrence Fede on the Miami Dolphins

Terrence Fede ’13, the first Marist student-athlete to be drafted to the National Football League (NFL), is a legend at the College. But the admiration is mutual. It’s hard to beat Fede’s Red Fox pride, and he likes to show it.

“I just love everything about [Marist]. I love going back; I love being part of the family,” said Fede.

Following graduation, Fede was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the NFL draft. He concluded his career with the New York Giants in 2019.

Prateek Samal ’19 is an overachiever. What drives Samal to work so hard? “My family history has pushed me. My father is from a poor village in India and lost his father when he was young, but he worked incredibly hard and eventually became a diplomat. If I succeed, it would make all of his sacrifices worth it.”

During his time at Marist, Samal reports that he has had an extremely positive experience. While admitting to being nervous at first about moving to the US, Samal reports that he has always “felt very welcome” at Marist and has formed a special bond with other international students because of their “unique shared experiences.”

Not every college student receives a special shout-out in the State of the County address, but then again, not every college student is Dana Jones ’20. Jones is an entrepreneur, innovator, and master networker who launched a business called Accessadoor, a phone app that breaks down barriers by making doors more accessible to those with disabilities. Since transferring to Marist from Dutchess Community College (DCC), Jones has further developed Accessadoor, which is soon to begin a beta-testing phase on 150 doors across the campuses of Marist, DCC, and the Culinary Institute of America, as well as in several buildings owned by Dutchess County.

Mac Mugabo ’21 has a deep and abiding interest in human rights and social justice, which is not surprising given his background.  Mugabo, a double major in economics and political science with a minor in environmental policy, grew up in Rwanda, which suffered the devastating genocide against the Tutsis in the spring of 1994.  About one million people were killed.  Like most Rwandans, Mugabo’s family was impacted by the genocide: he lost relatives, and his parents were refugees for a time.

Alumnus Jim Joseph
Jim Joseph ’91, who was born and raised in the Bronx, has had a successful career in arts administration, working for some well-known companies in New York City, including The Public Theater, Second Stage Theatre, The New Victory Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center and Manhattan Theatre Club.

It’s been a busy time since Kadeine Campbell Peterson ’09 graduated from Marist with a degree in biology. She went on to earn a master’s in genetics at Cornell University and taught science at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut and the Packer Collegiate Institute in Brooklyn before accepting a teaching position at Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire. She is married to fellow Marist alumnus Joshua Peterson ’09, and they are the parents of two sons, Jack Maverick and Kingston. We spoke to Campbell Peterson recently about her career trajectory, how Marist prepared her for success, and the responsibility she feels as a woman of color at an elite boarding school.

February 18, 2021—Award-winning journalist Alvin Patrick ’86 has a new honor to add to his list of personal and professional accolades: the Leadership in Journalism Award from the New York City-based nonprofit, One Hundred Black Men (OHBM). OHBM presented its award to Patrick as part of the organization’s annual gala. Additional honorees this year include New York State Attorney General Letitia James, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and journalist Joy Reid of MSNBC.

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