POTSDAM -- SUNY Potsdam President Dr. John F. Schwaller has appointed Dr. Susan Stebbins as special assistant to the president for diversity, a new role designed to deepen cross-cultural ties at the College.

Dr. Stebbins is a professor in the College's Department of Anthropology, where she teaches courses focusing on Native Americans and gender. Stebbins has served as the director of U.S. and global studies at SUNY Potsdam for more than 10 years, and as the affirmative action officer for seven years.

She has led workshops about diversity issues, especially focusing on Native Americans, at both local and national venues, including the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education. In her new role, Stebbins will be the coordinator for both Title VII and Title IX at the College, as well as leading diversity initiatives with a number of SUNY Potsdam groups, including the Diversity in Action Coalition.

SUNY Potsdam is more diverse than ever, with one of the largest Native American student populations within SUNY and a thriving international student population. For the first time, in Fall 2011, more than 10 percent of the College's students self-identified as students of color.