COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE Diversity Hackathon participants We cultivate an institutional culture that encourages a sense of community, inclusion, institutional pride, collective purpose and shared responsibility. Diversity Hackathon More than 70 diversity and inclusion experts from across the country gathered to seek solutions for recruiting and enrolling students from underrepresented groups during the College’s first diversity hackathon on September 28. The event sought answers to one question: How can SUNY Optometry increase the diversity of its student body? Guest speakers included Carl McCall, chairman of the SUNY Board of Trustees, Dr. Carlos Medina, vice chancellor and chief diversity officer for the SUNY system’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Tyler Farnsworth, managing director of August United, an influencer marketing agency. Dr. Guilherme Albieri addresses Diversity Hackathon participants 24 SUNY OPTOMETRY Attendees formed teams and composed proposals, which were presented at the end of the day. The College’s student affairs team will review and organize all proposals by themes to assess which of the ideas are feasible. “There is a dearth and a real challenge to get doctors to practice in upstate and lower socioeconomic communities,” SUNY Optometry President David A. Heath said. “The whole diversity goal is to have [the] workforce more reflective of the citizens they serve.” The College is one of 21 SUNY campuses operating programs through the Performance Investment Fund, which is a vital component for discovering new ways to diversify. “A hackathon is a sprint-like event during which professionals, including subject-matter experts and students, collaborate to challenge prior assumptions and create something new to solve a specific problem.” – Dr. Guilherme Albieri
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