Bay Path University Welcomes Elizabeth Cardona
LONGMEADOW — Bay Path University announced the appointment of Elizabeth Cardona as executive director for Multicultural Affairs, International Student Life, and assistant to the provost for Diversity and Inclusion.
Cardona, the former senior director and civic engagement advisor to then-Gov. Deval Patrick, comes to Bay Path with extensive experience in state government, education, and nonprofit program management.
In her position, Cardona will provide institutional leadership to support the needs of first-generation and underrepresented minority students by offering academic assistance, mentoring, coaching, and leadership programs to promote multi-cultural awareness, diversity, and inclusion in accordance to the mission of Bay Path University. In addition, she will work with international students to provide ongoing assistance with social and cross-cultural activities to support their immersion and academic experience. Bilingual in Spanish, Cardona also has a working knowledge of Arabic.
“I am thrilled to join Bay Path University’s community to facilitate understanding of multi-culturalism, diversity, equity, and inclusion in an affirming space where students, faculty, staff, and leadership engage collaboratively to enhance academic and social development,” Cardona said.
A graduate of the Women’s Pipeline for Change, an initiative that supports women of color as they enter leadership roles and public life, her expertise also includes serving on state Treasurer-elect Deb Goldberg’s transition team, as an advisory board member for the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts Leadership Institute for Political and Public Impact, and as a founding board member for the CHICA Project, a Massachusetts statewide Latina youth leadership, mentoring, and coaching program.
Cardona holds an MPA and a certificate in conflict resolution from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, and a bachelor’s degree in American studies with a concentration in social issues from Springfield College.
