Decker holds virtual diversity panel discussion

On Saturday, Dec. 12, Binghamton University held its first Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Panel Discussion. The virtual event, aimed at prospective nursing students, featured seniors Kelly Huang and Gwendolyn Lee, as well as alumni Isaiah Buchanan ’20 and Edwin Torres ’10, MS ’14.

Torres is a family nurse practitioner at the Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. He is also continuing his graduate education as a doctoral student at Decker College. Recent graduate Buchanan is a registered nurse within the UHS hospital system.

During the discussion, the four panelists talked about what originally attracted them to Binghamton and how well the University lived up to their expectations. They also discussed why they chose Decker College for their nursing education, and what their experience has been (or was) participating in classes and clinicals. The alumni panelists further talked about how Decker prepared them for their first nursing job. In addition, all the panelists answered questions posed by attendees.

“The purpose of the webinar was to focus on diversity and inclusion within Decker College and Binghamton as a whole,” said Sharon Bryant, Decker’s director of DEI. “We want prospective students to know what we currently offer and how we continuously work to improve DEI.”

Bryant, who is also an associate professor of nursing and public health, coordinated the event in conjunction with Binghamton’s Undergraduate Admissions Office.

View a recording of the panel discussion.