Watson College’s new assistant dean for DEI brings extensive background in recruitment and student success to role

The Binghamton University women’s basketball team gained a new booster with the arrival of Carmen Jones, the new assistant dean for diversity at Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science. Although not a player, Jones admits she is extremely passionate about the game.

“I’m a little obsessed with women’s basketball,” Jones admitted in a recent interview. “WNBA, college, I love it all. During the season, that’s where you’ll find me.”

Jones, who began her tenure at Binghamton on July 10, is originally from Saint Matthews, a small town in the middle of South Carolina. From a young age, she had aspirations of a career in law. For much of her undergraduate career, she set her sights on achieving that goal with an academic plan in political science and sports management, hoping to combine her two loves into a sports agent or attorney career.

“I grew up in a family where education was valued and expected,” Jones said. “My mother and sister both have advanced degrees, as do many cousins. So, I knew I was going to college. And for me at that time, success meant a high-paying job, so that meant law school.”

However, a decision to accept a position as an admissions advisor for a career and technical college in Charleston, S.C., while she sorted out her law school applications changed her trajectory.

“After working in admissions, helping students succeed and find their path, I realized that I was no longer passionate about a career in law and that higher education was where I was meant to be,” she said.

Jones would go on to other roles in higher education, including assistant director for admissions at an art and design college in her home state and assistant director for enrollment and student affairs at a nursing college in Atlanta, Ga. But she knew that a successful career in higher education meant going back to school herself, so while serving as the director of graduate admissions at Mercer University in Macon, Ga., she set herself on the path to a master’s in higher education administration.

“I can still recall my first day in that program,” Jones said. “The instructor welcomed us and said, ‘It’s great that you are here to pursue your master’s degree, but as a Black woman in higher education, you will need a doctorate.’ I had never considered getting any degrees past a master’s, so this was a lot to take in on my first day, but from that moment, I started thinking a lot more about getting a doctoral degree.”

Pursuing the doctoral degree brought Jones to Iowa State University, where she focused her research on issues related to access and educational opportunities for students from historically underrepresented populations. She eventually accepted a role at Iowa State’s graduate school, working on diversity recruitment and strategizing DEI program implementation.

Jones’s extensive background in diversity and equity issues in recruitment and her passion for advising students in STEM fields led to her current role at Binghamton.

We recently met Jones to discuss her vision for Watson, her love of women’s basketball and why DEI matters.

Q: Most recently you were advising underrepresented or marginalized students in nursing and STEM. Were you always interested in science?

A: No, I wasn’t. My passion for education has always been in history. I love history and I love the law. My undergraduate majors were political science and sports management, so my plan after taking the LSATs was to attend law school. However, I ended up taking a job at Emory University in Atlanta, working with nursing students. And I just loved working with these students in the healthcare and science fields. They were just a very different kind of student. They were so dedicated and committed.

Q: What inspired your interest in this position at Binghamton?

A: I have been inspired to help STEM students from underrepresented backgrounds reach their educational and professional goals from my first job in higher education. Once I read the job description and learned more about the Watson Scholars (WS) program, I enthusiastically applied. There are few programs out here like the WS program and the work being done here is remarkable. I wish more STEM departments would invest in DEI programs for underrepresented STEM students. It is needed.

Q: What are some of the challenges and opportunities you can identify in this role?

A: Some challenges I might face in this role are individuals needing to see the benefits of incorporating DEI principles in engineering and computer science. Research suggests that STEM environments can be isolating or exclusionary, and there is contentment with the status quo. I want people to see the value in diversity and understand what it brings to this field and the world when we embrace diverse perspectives.

However, for the most part, I see a lot of opportunity because my Watson colleagues are open to new ideas and genuinely excited for me to be here. There are already excellent programs at Watson, and I am excited to create even more dynamic programming and show just how much more we can do in DEI. I want to create opportunities for faculty to engage more with Watson students and for Watson to collaborate with our DEI partners across campus.

Q: Watson has been a leader on campus with regard to diversity. What do you see as some important next steps?

A: I think it’s important to keep that momentum going. I want to be sure that others at Binghamton know that I am here and that my goal is to champion diversity in engineering and computer science. Watson has already done so much great work in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion and I want to continue that work. I would love to be able to grow the Watson Scholars programs and do what is necessary to gain additional partnerships or sponsors. I want individuals in the University community to invest in the DEI work being done at Watson and understand how important it really is.

Q: What are your plans to sustain Watson College’s DEI mission?

A: I believe my role in sustaining Watson’s mission is holding everyone to the same standard and ensuring we all contribute to an inclusive and respectful culture. Whether someone is in leadership, faculty, staff or students, I expect everyone affiliated with Watson to do their part in maintaining a respectful and welcoming culture. I think we can grow if we take that message and this mission out into the community and the world and let prospective students and faculty members know that Watson will give 100% to DEI and stand by our mission and values.

Q: What student populations need extra outreach?

A: When I think about my path to obtaining an advanced degree, I think about those who aspire to do so but cannot. I want other Black students who want to get their doctorates to achieve their ambitions and not have to stress or worry about how they will pay for it. I would love it if we could create more scholarship or fellowship opportunities for underrepresented students, especially Black/African American students.

Q: When we think about diversity and equity in higher ed, we typically think about underrepresented minority ethnic and racial groups, but in STEM that can also mean gender, specifically the lack of women in STEM fields. What hurdles do you see for women in STEM fields and how do you think Watson can address that moving forward?

A: Many hurdles I see for women involve isolation or exclusion. Women have earned the right to be here, and I want Watson to prioritize improving women’s experiences in STEM fields. We must create initiatives and programs highlighting women and their contributions to science. So often, women get overlooked and they are not celebrated enough. I want our female faculty, staff and students recognized for their work and I want them to know how much they are valued. We need to push past antiquated ways of thinking because women have significantly contributed to science and we must acknowledge all of their achievements.

Q: A good mentor can be so important for success. Did you have any mentors that helped you on your path?

A: I am lucky because I have two: Arnita Howard and Thelma Harding. Both women were managers in previous positions, and I have come to consider them mentors and friends. I can reach out to them anytime and they will be there to provide support, encouragement and love. Their impact on my life is hard to put into words and I get emotional when I think about all they have done for me.

From the moment I met them, they supported and believed in me, giving me great confidence when I needed it. There are many times when I experience self-doubt and need to feel more certain of myself and confident in my abilities as a professional, and these women are always there to reassure me that I deserve to be where I am.