Helping Others Feel “Welcome at the Table”: Dr. Perry Greene Wins Two Awards for Diversity

Perry Greene, Ph.D., Adelphi’s vice president for diversity and inclusion since July 2016, has been presented with two awards recognizing his leadership in diversity initiatives at Adelphi: the Long Island Business News Executive Circle Award for diversity leadership and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recognition Award from the Nassau County Human Rights Commission. The latter honors those who aim to “build bridges” toward greater tolerance, better understanding and multicultural appreciation.

Dr. Greene’s efforts are well known at Adelphi but now the word is spreading beyond the Garden City campus.

“I am humbled by, and appreciative of, receiving these awards,” Dr. Greene said when asked about these accolades. But he quickly added that others also deserve to share in these recognitions. “The Office for Diversity and Inclusion relies on a lot of committed people all over the University to help meet the goal of becoming a model of diversity and inclusion,” he said. “These awards would not be possible without their efforts.”

These awards—presented within a six-month period last year (June through October)—recognize his considerable accomplishments thus far at the University. But as Dr. Greene himself said shortly after his VP appointment, “Diversity won’t work unless you have inclusion—unless the people feel welcome at the table.” Since his appointment, he has implemented numerous initiatives at Adelphi aimed at making that happen (some of which are noted in this newsletter).

Presented to Dr. Greene last June, LIBN‘s Executive Circle Award recognizes local executives for their outstanding leadership skills, integrity, vision and commitment to the community.

During her State of the University speech on October 15, Adelphi President Christine M. Riordan, Ph.D., called attention to Dr. Greene’s Martin Luther King Jr. Recognition Award.

During his two years in his current post—and for years before that, as associate provost for faculty affairs and institutional diversity—Dr. Greene has launched various programs and policies that are transforming the University’s faculty, enriching the student experience and increasing understanding on campus—all directed toward making Adelphi “a model of diversity and inclusion,” as stated by the Momentum strategic plan, because our differences make a difference in the culture of the University.