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Assistant vice president for diversity and inclusion named

SYRACUSE, N.Y.— Maxine Summerhill Thompson, MSW, LCSW-R, has been promoted to the position of assistant vice president for diversity and inclusion at Upstate Medical University. She has served as the director of the Office of Diversity and Affirmative Action since 2004.

The change in title and name of the office reflects the priority being placed by Upstate on the importance of advancing diversity as a core institutional value and infusing it into the campus culture.

While Affirmative Action will continue to be an integral function of the office, the additional title and name change reflects the evolution and direction Upstate is moving toward becoming a more diverse and inclusive organization, reflective of and responsive to the community it serves.

Thompson will retain the title of affirmative action officer to fulfill the compliance function inherent in the role and office.

In her roles, Thompson will provide strategic leadership and collaboration with executives, senior leaders, directors, managers and supervisors to assist in moving the organization closer to its diversity and business goals.

A New York state-certified clinical social worker, Thompson earned a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, and master’s degree from the Smith College School for Social Work. She recently completed program requirements for the Diversity Management certificate, awarded by Cornell University, School of Industrial and Labor Relations.

She is a 2009 graduate of Leadership Greater Syracuse, serves on the Central New York Inclusion Conference Strategic Planning Advisory Committee, and is a member of the newly established Research Foundation of SUNY Diversity Initiatives Team.