PLATTSBURGH — After a national search this past spring, Dr. Dottie Morris, associate vice president for community and equity at Keen State College, Keen, New Hampshire, was chosen SUNY Plattsburgh’s vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion, effective July 6.
“Dr. Morris brings extensive experience as a higher education leader, scholar and advocate whose work has focused on fostering inclusive excellence, student success and community engagement,” SUNY Plattsburgh President Alexander Enyedi said.
“We are excited to welcome her to our campus community and look forward to the leadership and perspective she will bring to this important role.”
Enyedi also expressed appreciation to Dr. David Fryson, who joined the university as interim vice president for DEI Aug. 25, 2025.
“Dr. Fryson’s leadership, guidance and commitment to the university helped ensure continuity in the division while supporting ongoing programs, initiatives and campus engagement efforts,” he said.
WEALTH OF DEI EXPERIENCE
Morris brings a wealth of experience in equity and diversity initiatives, having served in various roles during her tenure at Keene, including associate vice president for institutional equity and diversity and as chief officer for diversity and multiculturalism.
As a member of the president’s cabinet, she worked closely with administration, ensuring DEI were considered in the decision-making processes.
Morris, who holds a doctorate in clinical psychology, has never been far from the classroom, serving as associate professor of psychology for more than a dozen years. She has also taught at Dartmouth College; Youth Leadership School for International Training Graduate Institute in Brattleboro, Vermont; and at Antioch University New England in Keene, New Hampshire, among others.
SUNY Plattsburgh first caught Morris’ eye because of its “commitment to continue to use the terms diversity, equity and inclusion, given the current social and political climate.”
“I wanted to continue to work in an environment where the principles, spirit and values associated with those terms continued to be embraced,” she said. “I wanted to be a part of an organization that continues to realize the diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are essential to academic excellence.”
‘EFFECTIVE LEADERS IN COMMUNITIES’
She said that when students acquire the skills necessary to meet the needs of those they will serve, “they are able to be effective leaders in their communities with a consciousness rooted in the understanding of how their actions will have an impact on others.”
While Morris said she wants to honor how things have been done in the past, she also wants to build on that foundation.
To accomplish this, Morris said she’ll ask “clarifying questions.” She plans to meet with students, staff, faculty and administrators to learn what is being done and what needs to happen going forward.
“Open dialogue and clear communications are key elements,” she said.
Committed to having an open door policy, Morris said she plans to attend campus-wide events to understand the SUNY Plattsburgh culture.
“I want to learn about traditions and how these traditions contribute to belonging,” she said.