Chief of Staff Chosen for Statewide Leadership Academy

Tiombé Tatum, Chief of Staff, was chosen as a member of the New York State Community College Leadership Academy through The New York Success Center. Participants represent community colleges from across the SUNY system and were nominated for the prestigious leadership academy by senior leaders on their campuses based on their proven leadership and experience. The leadership development program is designed for emerging leaders to strengthen their critical skills and knowledge to build their campus’s capacity and improve student outcomes.

Tiombé has served the College for nearly a decade in different capacities. She started her career at SUNY Schenectady in 2016 as an Academic Specialist in TRIO, providing academic advisement and support to TRIO students. She was named Assistant Director of the Liberty Partnerships Program in 2017 providing social, emotional, and educational reinforcement for students and families in the Schenectady City School District. She became the Director of the Educational Opportunity Program in 2021, providing academic support, access, and linkage to necessary services for eligible EOP students. Tiombé is not only a staff member at the College, she is also an alumna, having earned her A.S. degree in Human Services. She went on to earn her B.S. in Public Health with a minor in Psychology from the University at Albany and her M.A. in Social and Public Policy from Empire State College, as well as a Certificate in Women and Public Policy from Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy.

“I am truly honored to have been selected as a Fellow in the New York State Community College Leadership Academy through The New York Success Center,” Tiombé said. “The experience has been invaluable in strengthening my leadership skills and expanding my professional perspective. This opportunity has allowed me to grow as a leader and better serve my College community.”

The NYS Community College Leadership Academy is a tailored program for community college leaders interested in advancing within their college and the field. This program is designed to provide mid-level community college leaders with a solid foundational understanding of critical student success and change management concepts. The curriculum covers essential roles of leadership in student success, keeping students’ end goals in mind, the student experience, leadership traits that drive change, managing and advancing institutional change, and effective external partnerships and the leadership journey.

For the first two cohorts, New York was selected, along with Michigan and Texas, as part of a national scale-up project to replicate Ohio’s Leadership Academy for Student Success in partnership with the National Center for Inquiry and Improvement and the Aspen College Excellence Program with funding support from Ascendium Education Group, the ECMC Foundation, and The Kresge Foundation.