A Culture of Belonging
SUNY Poly continued to foster a culture of belonging through efforts led by the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB), working closely with offices and departments across the university. Through this shared commitment, DEIB and campus partners, including Student Affairs, expanded opportunities for students to connect, celebrate their identities and experiences, and feel supported as members of the SUNY Poly community.
Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
Under the leadership of Vice President for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Dr. Mark Montgomery, the Office of DEIB continued to lead and coordinate university-wide efforts focused on creating an inclusive and welcoming campus community. During the 2025–26 academic year, the office also assumed responsibility for Title VI, further strengthening SUNY Poly’s efforts to promote equal access and prevent discrimination across the university community. The office also led the President’s DEIB Advisory Committee, expanded training and workshops on campus and in the community, partnered with Human Resources to incorporate DEIB into hiring and onboarding, and provided ongoing presentations focused on belonging.
The office also strengthened connections with students and the broader community through mentoring, student-athlete engagement, the 2025 Empowerment Symposium, Mobile Office Hours and collaborations with Student Government and community organizations. DEIB also partnered with the Advancing Completion through Engagement program to increase campus engagement and hosted community organizations to provide K-12 students with opportunities to experience SUNY Poly.
Office of Multicultural Affairs
The Office of Multicultural Affairs expanded opportunities for students to learn, celebrate and connect across cultures. Throughout the year, the office recognized heritage months and cultural identities through programming celebrating Hispanic Heritage, Filipino-American History, Native American Heritage, Black History, Women’s History, Autism Awareness, and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage.
Programs including Taco ’Bout Pride, Lotería Bingo, an Eid Celebration, an Interfaith Celebration and Multicultural Spring Fest: Jamaica One Love created opportunities for connection and cultural learning. The office also celebrated first-generation college students with a week of programming surrounding National First-Generation College Celebration Day and continued to elevate diverse voices through student-led events, community meals and other activities.
Residence Life
Residence Life continued to strengthen community through inclusive programming and opportunities for students to connect outside the classroom. Highlights included the fourth annual Breaking Barriers celebration of the history of Black music, Women’s Empowerment Night: Breaking Through, heritage celebrations, Cosplay Prom, Halloween Bash and Wildcat Weekend.
The office also worked to modernize the housing selection process, with an emphasis on providing students with a more flexible, personalized and student-friendly experience. Together, these efforts supported Residence Life’s broader commitment to student engagement, belonging and service.
Title IX
SUNY Poly continued efforts to promote awareness, education and prevention through its Title IX programming. Throughout the year, several educational offerings and tabling sessions provided students with information and resources while creating opportunities for conversations around healthy relationships, consent and available support. recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, SUNY Poly also hosted its Paws Against Violence Walk, bringing members of the campus community together to raise awareness of domestic violence and demonstrate support for those impacted by it.
Wellness Center
The Wellness Center incorporated DEIB principles into its approach to student health and well-being, with a focus on accessibility, inclusive communication and culturally responsive services. Initiatives included the purchase of an ADA-compliant scale to improve accessibility, updates to forms and brochures, adoption of NameCoach NameBadges, and partnerships with the Multicultural Center, Human Resources and community organizations to strengthen cultural competence.
The Wellness Center also collaborated with Multicultural Affairs on a Braiding Across Cultures workshop and brought a diverse group of community agencies to its April 2026 Wellness Fair, including organizations serving LGBTQIA+ and other historically marginalized populations and offering culturally specific resources and assessments.