Dean of Students office reorg reflects VP's inclusive vision

Ryan Lombardi
Robert Barker/Cornell Marketing Group
Ryan Lombardi, vice president for student and campus life

Vice President Ryan Lombardi has a vision for how Student and Campus Life can advance a more inclusive and enriching educational experience for all students at Cornell and, by example, nationwide.

“Everyone’s lived experience is different, and certainly mine is not the same as many of our students and my colleagues,” he said. “But I am convinced that Cornell is exactly the kind of university that can reframe the diversity and inclusion conversation so that it speaks to our students’ sense of the world and their place in it.”

At Cornell, Lombardi said, many students define themselves through multiple identities, not just one. “They see their identities holistically, and they want their Cornell experience to reflect the ways they are living today, helping them to thrive in a global society. They are seeking skills, knowledge and experiences that increase their own and their peers’ intercultural competency.”

Lombardi defines intercultural competency as the ability to try to appreciate others’ lived experiences and how those experiences shape fellow students’ views of their Cornell experience. Gaining that understanding includes effort on the university’s part to make sure opportunities for exchange are present and managed in “intentional, careful and thoughtful ways,” through programming, events and fostering community, he said.

Toward this end, Lombardi reorganized the Office of the Dean of Students and launched a search for a new dean of students, who will be experienced in inclusivity and identity development, student support and advocacy, while also serving as Lombardi’s chief deputy on all student life issues. Lombardi’s vision has captured the attention of highly qualified national and international candidates for the dean of students position.

New hires in Dean of Students organization

Aiden Cropsey serves as assistant director for the LGBT Resource Center. Cropsey is an LGBTQ and Safe Zone trainer and offers stress relief visits with his therapy dog, Koda.

Kate Harding is assistant director of the Women’s Resource Center. She is the author of “Asking for It: The Alarming Rise of Rape Culture – and What We Can Do About It” and has given lectures on rape culture and body image at colleges around the country, including as keynote speaker for the 2016 Sexual Assault Awareness Week at Cornell.

Vigor Lam is assistant director for the Asian and Asian-American Center. He is a first-generation college graduate who identifies as a queer, Asian-American male. He is active in multiple national student affairs and Greek life organizations.

Tynesha Wright-Lindo is assistant director for Student Development Diversity Initiatives. She strives to create environments and communities where all feel inspired to be self- and community advocates.

Evelyn Ambriz ’11, M.P.A. ’15, is assistant dean of students for Student Development Diversity Initiatives. Throughout her student career she was active in the Latinx community and the Multicultural Greek Letter Council as well as in vocal music.

In the new structure, Cornell United Religious Work, Student Development Diversity Initiatives, the Asian and Asian-American Center, the LGBT Resource Center, the Women’s Resource Center, Student and Community Support, and the International Students and Scholars Office comprise the Office of the Dean of Students. Lombardi said the efforts of these resource and advocacy centers are among the ways the unit will lead the division of Student and Campus Life in developing students’ intercultural competency across all identities. Five employees have joined the unit to meet these centers’ growing staffing needs (see box), four of whom hold new positions created when Lombardi committed last fall to increase support in these areas. It is anticipated that a new dean will arrive this winter.

“At the most fundamental level, we need to create spaces – especially for those students who have been historically marginalized – so they can continue to develop and embrace their identities. We also need to create opportunities for the exploration of those identities at the intersections, and how that shapes the student experience here at Cornell,” Lombardi said. “Students say it is not enough to bring diverse populations together. It’s how we learn from each other and have more opportunities for constructive engagement and dialogue with each other, with more connections, more linkages, between all our identities.”

A new unit, Campus and Community Engagement, will provide such opportunities and connections. Joseph Burke, previously associate dean and director of residential and new student programs, will serve as the new unit’s executive director, reporting to Lombardi. Burke will oversee campus engagement, community development and leadership activities, including residential and new student programs; fraternities, sororities and independent living; and campus activities.

“I am confident the alignment of these two units will foster collaborative efforts throughout Student and Campus Life and strengthen our commitment to offer a holistic residential student experience at Cornell,” Lombardi said.

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John Carberry