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Office of Community and Belonging

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Building Community

The Office of Community and Belonging highlights the importance of human connection and relationships as the heart of its work and is key to moving Marist University forward.

women's history month

Women’s History Month is recognized in the month of March. During this time, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion hosts several events to commemorate women's struggles, achievements, and successes with the goal of collaboratively honoring and raising awareness for Women's History.

Inspired to Shoot Hoops and Serve

Jackie is all about teamwork—on and off the court.

The biology major is a point guard for the Red Foxes and recently completed Marine Corps officer training. When she’s not scoring on the court, she’s immersed in her psychology and human bio studies preparing for her dream job as a U.S. Navy medic. Jackie is more than a DI athlete—she’s a leader on the court and in her community.

adaptive exhibit

Runway of Dreams:The Adaptive Exhibit

Presented in the Spring of 2023, the newly chartered Runway of Dreams at Marist showcased The Adaptive Exhibit in the Steel Plant Gallery. This student-led initiative exhibited the production and curation of fashionable, functional, and accessible adaptive clothing & apparel that is specially designed for people with disabilities.

black history month

Black History month is a time to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions and achievements of African Americans and Black people. It also acknowledges the suffering, challenges, and pain Black people have had to overcome. Marist's celebration of Black History Month is informed by understanding the historical and ongoing struggles faced by Black communities and appreciating their resilience and accomplishments in the face of challenges.

Inspired to Build Businesses and Relationships

A Marist education is fuel for Loik’s global mission.

Born in Belgium, raised in Rwanda, graduated high school in Buffalo, NY. Loik’s global upbringing drew him to Marist and sparked aspirations to pursue entrepreneurship as a path to uplift communities back home. He’s a natural connector who bridges relationships through clubs, sports, and creative pursuits like poetry. Loik proves that impact comes in more than one form.

Image of students on a travel course about the civil rights movement.

As part of an annual spring attachment course, Marist students take a week-long trip, called “The Struggle for Racial Justice in the South” to multiple infamous cities, with deep historical roots. Students explore historic locations along the civil rights trail and is designed so that they understand the role race has played in American history.

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Image of Long Reach society scholars.

The Long Reach Society (LRS) and scholarship program is a community of students who are interested in a major or minor in History or American Studies and how it influences industry, leadership, and global citizenry. Long Reach Scholars meet the highest academic standards, earning them generous scholarship funding and access to a variety of activities beyond academics, including hands-on learning experiences and trips, dedicated faculty mentorship, and research opportunities.

Image of Terrence Fede on the Miami Dolphins

Terrence Fede ’13, the first Marist student-athlete to be drafted to the National Football League (NFL), is a legend at Marist. But the admiration is mutual. It’s hard to beat Fede’s Red Fox pride, and he likes to show it.

“I just love everything about [Marist]. I love going back; I love being part of the family,” said Fede.

Following graduation, Fede was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the NFL draft. He concluded his career with the New York Giants in 2019.

Prateek Samal ’19 is an overachiever. What drives Samal to work so hard? “My family history has pushed me. My father is from a poor village in India and lost his father when he was young, but he worked incredibly hard and eventually became a diplomat. If I succeed, it would make all of his sacrifices worth it.”

During his time at Marist, Samal reports that he has had an extremely positive experience. While admitting to being nervous at first about moving to the US, Samal reports that he has always “felt very welcome” at Marist and has formed a special bond with other international students because of their “unique shared experiences.”

Not every student receives a special shout-out in the State of the County address, but then again, not every student is Dana Jones ’20. Jones is an entrepreneur, innovator, and master networker who launched a business called Accessadoor, a phone app that breaks down barriers by making doors more accessible to those with disabilities. Since transferring to Marist from Dutchess Community College (DCC), Jones has further developed Accessadoor, which is soon to begin a beta-testing phase on 150 doors across the campuses of Marist, DCC, and the Culinary Institute of America, as well as in several buildings owned by Dutchess County.

Mac Mugabo ’21 has a deep and abiding interest in human rights and social justice, which is not surprising given his background.  Mugabo, a double major in economics and political science with a minor in environmental policy, grew up in Rwanda, which suffered the devastating genocide against the Tutsis in the spring of 1994.  About one million people were killed.  Like most Rwandans, Mugabo’s family was impacted by the genocide: he lost relatives, and his parents were refugees for a time.

Alumnus Jim Joseph
Jim Joseph ’91, who was born and raised in the Bronx, has had a successful career in arts administration, working for some well-known companies in New York City, including The Public Theater, Second Stage Theatre, The New Victory Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center and Manhattan Theatre Club.

It’s been a busy time since Kadeine Campbell Peterson ’09 graduated from Marist with a degree in biology. She went on to earn a master’s in genetics at Cornell University and taught science at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut and the Packer Collegiate Institute in Brooklyn before accepting a teaching position at Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire. She is married to fellow Marist alumnus Joshua Peterson ’09, and they are the parents of two sons, Jack Maverick and Kingston. We spoke to Campbell Peterson recently about her career trajectory, how Marist prepared her for success, and the responsibility she feels as a woman of color at an elite boarding school.

February 18, 2021—Award-winning journalist Alvin Patrick ’86 has a new honor to add to his list of personal and professional accolades: the Leadership in Journalism Award from the New York City-based nonprofit, One Hundred Black Men (OHBM). OHBM presented its award to Patrick as part of the organization’s annual gala. Additional honorees this year include New York State Attorney General Letitia James, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and journalist Joy Reid of MSNBC.

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