Watson assistant dean named to 2022 class of SUNY’s Hispanic Leadership Institute

State University of New York Chancellor Jim Malatras announced this week that Binghamton University’s Miguel Baique has been selected as a fellow for the 2022 class of SUNY’s Hispanic Leadership Institute.

Baique — who is the assistant dean for academic diversity and inclusive excellence for the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science — will be among 10 faculty and staff members from six SUNY campuses for the HLI class, which is charged with developing and supporting the next generation of Hispanic/Latinx leaders. It has graduated 41 SUNY leaders since its launch in 2017.

“At SUNY, we are deeply committed to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion among our students, faculty and staff,” Malatras said. “The SUNY Hispanic Leadership Institute opens doors for our world-class Hispanic and Latinx faculty and staff so that they may advance in higher education and set an empowering example for our students from even greater heights.”

Baique said he is “humbled and honored” to be named an HLI fellow, and he appreciates the opportunity to connect and build relationships with peers who hold similar identities and cultural backgrounds.

“I look forward to learning from individuals who have and continue to navigate the higher-education landscape while holding true to their identities and advocating for underrepresented groups,” he said. “I know that HLI will be instrumental in helping me gain knowledge, connections and mentors that will allow me to develop as a professional and make institutional impact.”

This intensive six-month experience is designed for SUNY leaders of Hispanic descent to focus on higher-education leadership skills needed in today’s academic and administrative environment. Fellows will use personal assessment tools and participate in training sessions and webinars, as well as in conversations with national and statewide Hispanic leaders.

The program also serves as a pipeline for professional opportunities across SUNY, with HLI alumni remaining actively engaged through networking and receiving ongoing support and mentorship.

Prior to this current role at Watson, Baique served as the director of student engagement and inclusion at SUNY Genesee Community College.

As an undergraduate at Geneseo, the Queens native majored in sociology and communication. He later attended the College at Brockport for a master’s in public administration and the University of Rochester for a doctorate in educational administration, with specialization in higher-education administration.

“I could not be more enthusiastic about the Hispanic Leadership Institute’s success and progress since its inception — and this new cohort of HLI fellows will only add to those achievements,” said HLI Executive Director and University at Albany President Havidán Rodríguez. “I am greatly looking forward to working closely with these rising stars from across SUNY as we support their growth and development as emerging leaders.”