DLDI Advisory Team
(Listed in alphabetical order.)
Executive Director of Strategic Analytics & Technologies,
Division of Student Affairs
Ahmed serves as the Executive Director of Strategic Analytics and Technologies in
the Division of Student Affairs and co-leads the CRAFT Team which leverages expertise
in Communication, Research and Assessment, Fundraising, and Technology towards strategic
divisional goals. Ahmed’s academic background includes Cognitive Psychology and Public
Health, and he is a two-time alum of Stony Brook University. Additionally, Ahmed was
a member of the founding group of the Diverse Leadership Development Initiative.
Assistant Director of Student Media and General Manager of
WUSB 90.1 FM Radio Station,
Department of Student Community Development
Isobel Breheny-Schafer is the Assistant Director of Student Media and General Manager of WUSB Radio Station in the department of Student Community Development, a division of Student Life in the Dean of Students Office of Student Affairs. Isobel advises all of the students who produce independent media and journalism content on campus. Isobel has been recognized by the Town of Brookhaven as Women of the Year in Communications and by the College Media Association as the National Media Adviser of the year. Her degrees are in business management, media and information systems technology, human resources and related fields. She has been engaged in diversity work as a part of committees and programming for over 20 years. Mentoring students to succeed is one the greatest joys of Isobel’s career.
Associate Dean of Student Affairs,
Division of Student Affairs
DLDI Lead
Cheryl Chambers has a long professional history working in the Division of Student Affairs, primarily establishing and leading the Office of Multicultural Affairs from 2007-2023. She has worked in diversity/multicultural education, campus/student activities, student leadership development, cultural competency training, campus-wide programming, budget, personnel, and facilities management. She initiated several programs for student success and engagement, including the Social Justice League, the Student Diversity Leadership Conference, the development of the UNITI Cultural Center and LGBTQ* Center, and chapters of the Student African Brotherhood (SAAB) and Student African American Sisterhood (SAAS). Dr. Chambers is also a co-founder of the DLDI program. Her work includes creating powerful partnerships with departments, student clubs and organizations, and alumni groups. Her background includes prior Student Affairs work at other major doctoral research institutions. Cheryl earned a doctoral degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from St. John's University. Her research interest is on African American women leaders in Higher Education and job satisfaction. Cheryl earned a master's degree in Human Resource Management from Stony Brook University and an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management from the NYS Department of Education and Stony Brook University's Harriman College of Business. She has a B.A. in English from Syracuse University. Cheryl enjoys travel, history, museums, and music.
Director of Employer Relations and Diversity Recruitment,
The Career Center
Kimberly began her role in 2000 at the Career Center as a Career Coach for students interested in business related careers. She was later promoted to Assistant Director of Employer Relations overseeing the On-Campus Recruiting program. In 2018 Kimberly was promoted to Director of Employer Engagement and Diversity Recruitment responsible for the all employer recruiting events and helping employers design specific recruiting/branding strategies. In tune with the importance of diversity in the workplace, she strategically cultivates programs that generate a diverse talent pipeline aligned with industry diversity recruiting initiatives. Kimberly Dixon received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from St. Lawrence University, and a Master of Arts Degree in Higher Education/Student Personnel Administration from Teachers College at Columbia University. Kimberly has 21 years experience in career services. She is a recipient of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service, SUNY Outstanding Student Affairs’ Award, SUNY Diversity Award, has received several local, regional and national awards for her efforts in diversity recruitment and career preparation for underrepresented/underserved students from professional associations representing college/university career services and human resources professionals including NSEE, NACE, EACE, and MNYCCPOA.
Associate Director,
Department of Diversity, Intercultural, and Community Engagement
Starting her 22nd year at Stony Brook University, Judy is the Associate Director for
Multicultural Affairs in the Office of Student Life. Together with the many campus
partners, Judy works with students to further develop cultural competence and build
a more inclusive community. As the former Chair of the 2022-2023 Diversity Leadership
Development Initiative (DLDI), Judy led the DLDI Steering Committee, which contributed
greatly to the Division of Student Affairs' Strategic Plan for Organizational Excellence.
Director,
Department of Diversity, Intercultural, and Community Engagement
Donna-Lee Mahabeer, a double Seawolf, is the Director of Diversity, Intercultural, and Community Engagement, effective August 2023. Before assuming this role, Donna-Lee worked at Stony Brook in the Division of Campus Residences for four years, having most recently served as the Assistant Director for the Eleanor Roosevelt Community. Prior to her return to her alma mater, Donna-Lee spent 12 years of her career working in a wide variety of departments within student affairs (university housing, college unions, and student activities) at various postsecondary institutions in Maryland and New Jersey. Her academic background includes earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science and Psychology and a Masters degree in Social Welfare - both at Stony Brook University.
Student Support Associate,
Student Support Team
Parisa Saghati, LMSW, is a Student Support Associate at Stony Brook University. As a two-time alum, Parisa rejoined the Seawolves family in 2021 as a member of the Student Support Team, where she helps students navigate roadblocks to success and facilitates connections to campus resources. In her previous role at Farmingdale State College, Parisa worked with The Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) to increase the number of students from under-represented groups who were pursuing professional licensure and careers in mathematics, science, technology and health-related fields which, has continued to fuel her passion for diversity and inclusion.
Associate Dean of Students,
Office of Student Life
Shui’s 17 years of Student Affairs experience has centered on building and supporting diverse residential communities, strategic planning, assessment, and leadership development. Shui was recently promoted to the Associate Dean role (Spring '24), where he works with a number of offices within Student Life, including the Department of Diversity, Intercultural, and Community Engagement. Shui’s academic background includes a B.A in psychology and an MBA from Wagner College, an M.A. in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Social Work from Adelphi University. His doctoral research focused on the academic experience of Black men during COVID-19. Shui has previously worked at small to medium private institutions and a medium public (MSI) university before his arrival at Stony Brook. He is excited to work with the DLDI Advisory Team to continue the important work that is already underway in this arena within the Division of Student Affairs.
Associate Director of Apartments & Suites within Residential Education,
Division of Campus Residences
Unity Watts-Bailey is the Associate Director of Apartments & Suites within Residential Education at Stony Brook University. With over 17 years of experience in Student Affairs Administration, Unity is an experienced supervisor with a demonstrated history of working in both the Real Estate industry and Higher Education. She is skilled in organizational advancement, staff development, policy implementation and execution, leasing, budget management, event planning, customer service, recruitment and marketing. Unity has worked at both public and private research institutions, as well as Jesuit colleges, a historically Black institution and has managed student properties at large universities. She completed her undergraduate work in English Education at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (an HBCU), and obtained her M.S. in Human Resource Management from Stony Brook University.