Drawing from her own personal narrative as a first-generation student from the Caribbean, Dr. Angela E. Batista will delve into the challenges, triumphs, and the pivotal role of intersections in shaping successful pathways for first generation students and professionals.
In light of the growing diverse campus landscape and recent court decisions, Dr. Batista will share insights about why being a first-generation student matters, how creating a community of practice can amplify student success, and practical strategies for equipping faculty and staff with evidence-based practices to better support students.
Bio:
Angela E. Batista, Ed.D. is a proud first-generation student, learner, educator, speaker, facilitator, coach and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) consultant. Born in the Dominican Republic, she is the first person to graduate high school in her family and to attend college–holding degrees from Brooklyn College, the University of Vermont, and Nova Southeastern University. Over her career, Angela has held key roles in K-12 education, higher education, and non-profit organizations across the United States. She is the former vice president of student affairs and institutional diversity and inclusion at Champlain College and also held senior level positions at Oregon State University, the University of Southern Indiana, and Mills College. She also worked at the University of Vermont and Lynn University. Angela is also a former marriage and family therapist and an award-winning high school teacher, counselor, and administrator. She is passionate about advancing equity and access and works nationally and internationally–helping individuals, teams, and organizations to strategically design transformation, while centering relationships to self, others, their organization, and the community. Her expertise includes executive and design coaching, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) assessment and strategy development, appreciative and strategic leadership design, student affairs, and the experience of Latinx individuals in American higher education. She served as the 2020-21 NASPA Board Chair and is the editor of Latinx/a/os in Higher Education: Exploring Identity, Pathways, and Success. She enjoys reading, walking, traveling, and spending time with her dog Toby.