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Wednesday, July 24, 2024 2382

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DURANGO, Colo.— In a bright, sun-filled Fort Lewis College campus office, Kate Suazo settles into her new role as the college’s Director of Belonging. The position might sound unconventional, but for Suazo, it’s the culmination of a journey that began as a young child with politically active parents and continued to this very campus as a freshman with a passion for social justice and equity. 

“I never had the option not to be this person,” Suazo says with a smile. “It’s been something my whole family cares deeply about—justice, equity, community. It was instilled in me from a young age.”

This summer, FLC launched the new position under the Office of Diversity Affairs to further a sense of community on campus. The position focuses on students and also involves faculty and staff. Suazo, 29, stepped into the role on July 8 and is now tasked with creating and implementing strategies that make every member of the FLC community feel welcomed, supported, and connected, with a particular focus on unrepresented and historically disadvantaged students.

Vice President of Diversity Affairs Heather Shotton, Ph.D., said this new position is an important step in FLC’s continued efforts to improve the sense of belonging and student success on campus. “In her new role as Director of Belonging, Kate will provide leadership within the Office of Diversity Affairs on college-wide strategies that enhance community, student belonging, and increase student success.” 

Jeff Dupont, dean of Student Engagement, added that by establishing the Director of Belonging, FLC is committing to a leadership role to drive these conversations forward, creating a more cohesive and supportive environment for all students.

“When students feel seen, heard, and valued, they are more likely to thrive academically and socially,” he said. “The Director of Belonging will provide the unified vision necessary to enhance and integrate our identity-based centers, ensuring every student feels they belong at Fort Lewis College."

It’s a job almost tailor-made for Suazo.

“This felt like such a natural fit,” she said. “And it doesn’t hurt that I’m a Skyhawk through and through. I’ve been part of the FLC mission since I was 18.”

Dupont agreed.

“Kate has been dedicated to FLC since her days as a student leader. I’ve enjoyed watching her evolve as a leader and student advocate. FLC is fortunate to have her in this pivotal role.” 

Suazo’s path to becoming the Director of Belonging is as unique as the position itself. Coming from a rural community in Bernalillo, New Mexico, on the outskirts of Albuquerque, she knows firsthand about navigating the challenges of higher education. 

Unable to afford out-of-state tuition, Suazo set her sights on a reciprocal scholarship that could make her dream of attending FLC a reality. Her father, who worked in higher education, recognized the life-changing potential of this opportunity. Determined to secure his daughter’s future, he embarked on a relentless campaign.

“He called every single Monday for three months straight to ask whether we got the scholarship,” Suazo recalled with a mixture of pride and amusement. “He said it was the best sales pitch he ever gave.”

Suazo was accepted to FLC and started her first year in 2013. During her time as a student, she immersed herself in campus life, working at various student centers, including as the student manager for El Centro de Muchos Colores for four years. Her involvement also extended to forming a peer support office for students needing mental health resources and participating in campus leadership programs. These experiences laid the foundation for her future career.

“In college, while working with mentors in these roles, they gave me direction to put my passion for equity and justice into action-oriented goals instead of just walking around seething with anger,” she said.

After graduating in 2017 with a degree in psychology and missing family (and, admittedly, the food), Suazo briefly returned to Albuquerque. However, the call of the mountains and the FLC community was too hard to resist. She returned to her alma mater as a professional advocate, helping students navigate the complex systems of college life.

“As someone from a rural community with fewer resources, I understood how people navigated uncomfortable situations like asking for help or attending office hours,” she said. “I wanted to meet people where they were.”

As a professional advocate, Suazo found her youth to be an unexpected asset. As someone in their early 20s, also just out of college, she could relate to students on a level that other staffers couldn’t. 

“Being near their age allowed me to give them advice that was relevant and supportive,” she said. 

Suazo helped students navigate the challenges of campus life, from forming relationships with faculty to accessing resources. But her work went beyond academics. Suazo often encountered students struggling with basic needs – some couldn’t focus on classes because they weren’t eating regularly or felt unsafe at home. Her approach was one of understanding and transparency. 

“I was there to say, ‘Yes, this is hard, but we’ll figure it out together,’” she said. “It’s never been my style to shield anything. Some systems are really difficult for certain students to navigate, but I always wanted to be there so they didn’t have to face it alone.”

After two years as a professional advocate, Suazo’s career at FLC continued to evolve, and she became the campus’s Title IX coordinator. However, she found herself wanting to return to her roots in community organizing and advocacy. The newly created Director of Belonging role presented the perfect opportunity to combine her passions for social justice, student support, and institutional change.

“My friend calls it the ‘director of hugs and feelings,’” Suazo said with a burst of infectious laughter.

In her new position, Suazo will oversee affinity centers, such as El Centro, the Native American Center, The G, and the Black Student Resource Center, as well as identity-based programs and student leadership initiatives. She aims to build a sense of belonging through community and leadership, aligning with FLC’s reconciliation efforts and strategic plans. 

“It’s really about furthering a sense of community at FLC,” she said. “And we’re not just focusing on students; we’re also creating a space for staff and faculty to be part of that conversation, too.” Shotton said she is excited about Kate’s vision for this position. “Kate has tremendous passion for FLC, our students, and our mission of students at the center. Her innovativeness, professional experience, and understanding of our diverse community will help us think creatively about how we serve our students.”

As the campus quiets during the summer months, Suazo is seizing the opportunity to refine her vision for the role. Out of the gate, she wants to provide staff and faculty with relationship and equity-building skills; help students find their community on campus, and work on policies and procedures to make support services more accessible. She’s also excited about reviving and evolving a campus-wide curriculum for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“I’m not one to say, ‘This is where I need to be,’” she said. “I want to use my work as a tool to do what students need me to do.”

For Suazo, this work is more than just a job—it’s a calling that runs in her family. Her grandfather, for instance, was a leader in the Brown Power movement in New Mexico, and her father worked for community organizations and nonprofits serving communities of color. Just recently, Suazo herself received her master’s in social justice and human rights from Arizona State University. Now, she’s poised to make belonging a tangible concept for every Skyhawk who calls this mountain campus home.

“I see the most progress when students find what they’re passionate about,” she said. “When I can help students, as well as staff and faculty, find something they want to fight for, that’s what gives me hope.”