SUNY Oswego Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Gabriel Marshall is a member of the inaugural SUNY Black Leadership Institute (BLI), launched earlier this month.

Marshall is among the seven fellows in the first-ever class announced by State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. on March 5. BLI, modeled after SUNY’s nationally recognized and highly successful Hispanic Leadership Institute, will support, retain and foster the success of emerging and current leaders. 

“So far it’s been fantastic,” Marshall said. “I was excited about the opportunity but wasn’t sure what to expect. At our welcoming retreat, I was impressed with how thoughtful and thorough the process has been and what we will be doing over the next eight months.”

Marshall noted the strength of the fellow in the first cohort as well as the administrators running and presenting.

“We have dynamic leaders in this cohort and I am amazed with their backgrounds and experiences, as well as with those of the people leading the process,” Marshall said.

“I’m really interested in applying what I’m learning now at SUNY Oswego and how that can apply to student success,” Marshall noted. “For example, as part of new student orientation, how can I clearly communicate with students and families about the variety of experiences they will have at Oswego, and how they can proactively take responsibility for themselves, their education and their future.”

Marshall said participating underscores “adding tools to our leadership toolbox – you can’t use a hammer for everything,” and these tools can be applied to supporting student success and working towards fulfilling President Peter O. Nwosu’s Vision 4040.

“It will impact and enhance my ability to support students and respond accordingly to their perspectives and thoughts,” Marshall said. “Higher education has been a big part of my life. I’m big on improving the student experience and promoting excellence in all aspects on our campus, and this will help me do that even more.

Program guidance

BLI is designed for faculty and administrative professionals on a leadership trajectory at their respective institutions serving in mid- to senior-level roles. Fellows are guided through leadership assessments, interactive online and in-person workshops, and professional mentoring sessions designed to advance leadership skills.

“SUNY’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion informs all that we do in support of student success. We are grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul and to Senator Lea Webb and Assemblymember Kimberly Jean-Pierre for championing funding for the Black Leadership Institute. Coupled with the Hispanic Leadership Institute, SUNY is ensuring emerging leaders across our system benefit from rigorous support and training to expand their career at SUNY,” Chancellor King said in announcing the first cohort. “Programs like BLI and HLI are critical to our work to ensure excellent leaders across SUNY’s campuses.”

The inaugural class of fellows was selected based on their proven leadership and administrative experience, and their pursuit toward a higher education career in administrative and leadership roles within SUNY. Each applicant has also dedicated at least three years of their career within the SUNY system.

SUNY Oswego has an additional presence in the program as Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Kendra Cadogan serves on the BLI Steering Committee.

Marshall came to SUNY Oswego after serving as assistant vice president and senior advisor for student success and retention at Buffalo State College, and previously as director of student access and achievement programs at Nazareth College, senior Educational Opportunity Program coordinator at SUNY Brockport and resource specialist at Monroe Community College, and taught undergraduate courses. 

He earned his bachelor’s degree in English from Daemen College; a master’s degree and certificate of advanced study in counseling from SUNY Brockport; and his doctorate in executive leadership from St. John Fisher College.

Marshall leads four SUNY Oswego student affairs units: Student Engagement and Leadership, Campus Events and Conference Services, Campus Recreation, and Student Orientation and Family Engagement.

For BLI, Marshall said he learned a lot in the first session and is already looking forward to future installments.

“The thoughtfulness that went into selecting this first cohort is impressive, and I would expect this is a program that will exist for a long time,” Marshall said. “I’m really looking forward to continuing to build those relationships and learn more about supporting our students and the professionals that support them daily.”