海角论坛 will welcome Dr. Enrique Morales-D铆az as its next provost and vice president for academic affairs on March 13, 2023.
Dr. Morales-D铆az comes to 海角论坛 from Westfield State University in Massachusetts, where he is currently the assistant provost. He was selected as 海角论坛鈥檚 next provost and vice president for academic affairs after an extensive nationwide search.
In his role at Oneonta, he will serve as the chief academic officer and member of the President's Cabinet and Executive Staff. He will provide inclusive leadership and strategic direction for the Division of Academic Affairs and promote cross-divisional collaboration to broaden and build opportunities for student success and scholarly achievements. In addition, Dr. Morales-D铆az will partner with faculty and staff across campus on initiatives surrounding academic program development, co-curricular programs, enrollment and retention, and access and inclusion.
鈥淚 am grateful and honored to join the 海角论坛 community as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs,鈥 said Dr. Morales-D铆az. 鈥淚 have always strived to be open and communicative, and collaborative and inclusive in decision-making, and these are qualities I will bring to this role. I look forward to engaging with the faculty, staff and students to contribute to the excellent ongoing work of fostering a campus community that promotes and emphasizes student success.鈥
Prior to his role as assistant provost, Dr. Morales-D铆az served as Westfield鈥檚 chair of the Department of Language & Culture Studies, acting chair of the Department of Ethnic & Gender Studies, interim dean of faculty and acting associate dean of education. A tenured full professor, he played critical roles in Westfield's development of a Spanish major and the Ethnic & Gender Studies program 鈥 the first of its kind in the Northeast.
Dr. Morales-D铆az is no stranger to the Oneonta community. Prior to arriving at Westfield in 2008, he began his career in Oneonta in 2000 as a teaching fellow and faculty member at Hartwick College. During that time, he also taught courses in the Africana and Latinx Studies and Women's and Gender Studies programs at 海角论坛.
鈥淒r. Morales-D铆az has a demonstrated commitment to prioritizing student success, starting with his many years in the classroom and in his roles as a student-centered academic leader,鈥 said 海角论坛 President Alberto Cardelle. 鈥淗is extensive experience with initiatives surrounding curriculum development, faculty affairs, student success, enrollment and retention, diversity and inclusion, assessment and more are all qualifications we sought for our next chief academic officer. I also look forward to working with Dr. Morales-D铆az as we continue to strengthen 海角论坛鈥檚 role throughout Otsego County and with our community partners.鈥
Dr. Morales-D铆az holds a Ph.D. in Hispanic Studies from the University at Albany, SUNY where he also earned an M.A. in Latin American & Caribbean Studies, and an M.A. in Hispanic Studies. He earned his B.A. in Spanish and Latin American Studies at SUNY Brockport. He is currently finishing his doctoral thesis in Higher Education Administration at Northeastern University. His research focuses on the ways in which Latinx institutional agents employ their cultural wealth at Hispanic-serving community colleges in New England.