McFadden expands role in the College, continues to build community

In his role as Unit Diversity Officer for the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), Donte McFadden, continues to champion what matters most— elevating and supporting the people that make CAS a community.

Formerly the director of the Distinguished Visiting Scholars (DVS) program, McFadden has shifted his focus and is at the forefront of efforts to support CAS faculty, students and staff, while also fostering inclusivity and addressing pressing concerns in higher education. McFadden continues to build upon the foundation that Theresa McCarthy, Six Nations Onondaga, Beaver Clan, associate professor of Indigenous Studies the College’s inaugural Unit Diversity Officer, created.

McFadden assumed the responsibilities McCarthy initiated, including collaborating with the University’s Inclusive Excellence Leadership Council and with leadership on the President’s Advisory Council on Race, as well as continuing to support university-wide programs to engage students and recruit and retain faculty.

Since stepping into his position last fall, McFadden has dedicated his time to understanding the diverse needs of faculty, students and staff. His initial goal was to establish relationships across departments, serving as a liaison to the Office of Inclusive Excellence and exploring how best to bolster the college community.

“I am constantly evaluating what I can do to offer support, including how and where I can direct people,” McFadden said, reflecting on his first academic year in the role.

He has embarked on a listening tour and has met with  the majority of the 30 academic departments in CAS to gather comments and concerns regarding the changing political landscape and its potential impacts. Faculty expressed uncertainty over research funding, the future of DEI-related research and the potential impact on immigrant students and faculty.

“I was going around the College to meet people, become familiar with their roles, and discover the best ways to partner with them, or be a representative for them in a variety of ways,” McFadden said.

McFadden continues to work on developing resources for junior faculty, particularly those facing funding challenges due to unclear directives from the federal government.

“The approach for the spring semester took a different turn when the executive orders from the White House started matriculating. Like everyone else, I was trying to figure out where things stand and how to continue moving forward.”

In addition to his responsibilities as the Unit Diversity Officer, McFadden remains involved in academic and cultural programming and continues to teach film history and has organized a series of film screenings to foster dialogue on social and historical issues. Notable recent events include:

• Screening of Dahomey (2024) – A documentary exploring the return of looted artifacts from the ancient Dahomey kingdom to modern-day Benin.
• Screening of Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project – A tribute to the late poet, hosted in honor of National Poetry Month.

In the fall, McFadden will be team teaching an interdisciplinary course on topics that includes include history, sociology, indigeneity studies, gender and sexuality studies, literary criticism and film studies.

McFadden’s classroom and community engagement efforts continue as he remains focused on aligning his work with the institution’s future vision, ensuring that diversity, advocacy and cultural engagement remain central to its mission. More information about the College’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment can be found on their website.

Through his leadership, McFadden continues to serve as a bridge between administration, faculty and students, navigating uncertainty while fostering a sense of community, advocacy and resilience.

“We continue to engage in very dynamic, public-facing, community-oriented programming,” McFadden says.