Hello everyone. I’m starting my first year as the Director of the Center for Multicultural Education and Programs. Throughout my career I have served in many roles including the Associate Director for the American Council on Education’s Center for Advancement of Racial and Ethnic Equity in Washington, D.C., Assistant Dean at Yale and faculty and administrator at Arizona State University. I completed my undergraduate studies at Boston University and my graduate studies at Boston College. Though I’m originally from Arizona, I have spent much of my adult life on the east coast. I enjoy playing all types of sports, attending and participating in cultural events, traveling and spending time with family and friends. I look forward to getting to know the NYU community and my door is always open to visitors.
After leaving New York University five years ago to pursue a doctorate in social justice education, Marcella Runell Hall has returned to NYU to serve as the Associate Director of the Center for Multicultural Education and Programs. Marcella most recently served as the Assistant Director of Programs, Education & Training at the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding, as well as adjunct faculty for the Bank Street College of Education. She also works as a freelance writer for the New York Times Learning Network and VIBE magazine. Marcella received her master’s degree in higher education administration with a focus on multicultural education from New York University in 1999, and holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Ramapo College of New Jersey, which she received in 1997.
Hello! I am currently a Program Administrator in the Center for Multicultural Education and Programs and I am excited to begin my second year at NYU. I am a Jamaican native who grew up in several neighborhoods in the Bronx, New York. I received my Bachelor’s degree in English with a double minor in theology and black studies from Boston College and then went on to get my master’s degree in higher and postsecondary education from Columbia University. This year I will be overseeing the major programming efforts that come forth from the Center as well as serving as co-supervisor of the CMEP Peer Educators (REPs). In my spare time, I like to spend time with my family and friends as well as reading, watching TV, playing the Sims, and cooking.
Bindi Patel joined the staff at the Center for Multicultural Education and Programs as the newest Program Administrator focusing primarily on programming related to student success. Most recently she was with the Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund and the Gates Millennium Scholars Program/APIA developing the scholarship application and review process, alumni programs, and outreach strategies. She is also currently a consultant with OCA, a national advocacy organization for Asian and Pacific Americans, on their college based leadership programs. Bindi graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in International Relations and Supply Chain Management. She loves to go back to campus and visit, watch MSU and Detroit sports and travel.
Cecilia "CC" Suarez currently serves as the Diversity Educator for The Department of Residential Education and The Center for Multicultural Education and Programs. In this role, she creates a bridge that connects students who live on campus to multicultural education resources. CC also provides educational and supportive resources to students and staff interested in continuing their personal and professional development in areas of diversity and social justice. She earned a bachelors of science from the University of Miami (FL) in 2004 where she double majored in biology and elementary education and received a masters of science in College Student Personnel from the Miami University of Ohio in 2007. Her professional and academic goals include earning a PhD focused on social and educational foundations, higher education, politics, and advocacy. Currently, CC's research
is focused on student of color activism and Latina feminism.
Laurel Haynes is the Administrative Aide for the Center for Multicultural Education and Program. She has been with the University for over 23 years in several different work roles. She began in the Admissions office, then the Financial Aid Office and finally the Center (formally OASIS.) Laurel is now pursuing her BA degree in Creative Writing at NYU with an expectation to graduate in May 2010.
UPCOMING
EVENTS
Wednesday, December 2
5:00 PM: Graduate Students of Color Socials
Thursday, December 3
12:30 PM: Network of BLACK Men Meeting
12:30 PM: Making it in Media
Thursday, February 4
5:00 PM: Network of BLACK Men Meeting
Thursday, February 18
12:30 PM: Network of BLACK Men Meeting