Press Release & Reflection
Dr. Angela E. Batista Honored For Long-Standing Leadership Impact By The University of Vermont
Burlington, VT— September 29, 2024 — The University of Vermont recognized Dr. Angela E. Batista’s decades of advocacy, leadership, and service in higher education at the 2024 Andrew Harris Legacy Reception.
“Being a former student of Dr. Batista, I learned a lot from you. You work hard, with an open heart, for the betterment of all communities.” Telar Manyuon Telar, South Sudan.
Photo: natestevensphotography.smugmug.com
Honoring Andrew Harris’s Legacy
This reception celebrates the profound legacy of UVM’s first Black graduate and abolitionist, Andrew Harris, and recognizes those who continue his advocacy for racial equality and social justice. Reflecting on her experiences at UVM as a graduate student and a student affairs professional, Dr. Batista shared emotional and powerful insights about her journey, highlighting the importance of community, belonging, and activism.
The ceremony centered around the legacy of Andrew Harris, the first African American to graduate from UVM in 1838, a time when slavery still existed in the United States. Dr. Batista spoke passionately about Harris’s courage and determination, drawing parallels between his journey and her own as a first-generation college graduate and a queer woman of color in higher education. “It is hard to be the first,” Dr. Batista emphasized. “It takes a special kind of courage, no matter what ‘first’ one is trying to be.”
Photo: natestevensphotography.smugmug.com
Insights from Key Ceremony Speakers
Amer Ahmed, Vice Provost for Inclusive Excellence, praised Dr. Batista’s role as a role model for Latinas and Afro-Latinas in higher education and acknowledged the lasting impact of her work. He noted how Dr. Batista’s leadership inspires communities to fight for inclusion and justice, especially in challenging environments.
Patty Prelock, Provost and Senior Vice President, and soon-to-be UVM’s Interim President, highlighted Dr. Batista’s trailblazing efforts at UVM, recalling how she was a force for change from the moment she stepped on campus. Dr. Batista’s work laid the foundation for DEI structures, such as the current campus bias response team, which continues to shape UVM’s inclusivity efforts today.
Pamela Gardner, Former Staff Member and Alumna, offered a heartfelt introduction, recounting how Dr. Batista’s arrival at UVM brought new energy and hope to a campus divided by racial and social tensions. She shared stories of how Dr. Batista organized bias incident reports and open forums, helping to bridge divides and initiate critical conversations about race and justice.
A Call to Action: Creating Communities of Belonging
Dr. Batista's return to UVM marked a significant moment in her career as she reflected on her time as the only student of color in her graduate counseling program. “I moved to Vermont three times. This is the first time I have returned to UVM just for me," she shared. "Not to work, but to see my people, to be here and reflect on this incredible journey.”
As a graduate student and professional at UVM in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Dr. Batista was deeply involved in activism, notably in responding to a public and controversial fraternity-related campus hazing incident that greatly impacted students, faculty, and staff. She described how this experience catapulted her into university leadership, shaping her future work in student affairs and DEIB leadership across higher education.
A series of 10 photos displayed in poster form around the room highlighted key moments from Dr. Angela Batista’s time at UVM, showcasing the vital individuals and families who supported her journey. These images captured the profound connections she forged as a first-generation student, reflecting on the people who “adopted” her, offering unwavering encouragement and love. In her introduction to the photo display below, Dr. Batista expressed deep gratitude for the support system that embraced her through the challenges and empowered her to thrive. This tribute is a testament to the transformative power of community and the belief that true family extends beyond biological ties, reminding us that success is a collective achievement.
Summary of Key Themes from Dr. Angela Batista’s Remarks
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Honoring Legacy and Being the First: Dr. Angela Batista reflected on the remarkable legacy of Andrew Harris, UVM’s first Black graduate and abolitionist. She underscored the courage required to be the first in any context, drawing connections to her own experiences as a first-generation college graduate and queer woman of color working in predominantly white institutions over the last three decades. Dr. Batista emphasized the importance of boldness in facing adversity, much like Harris demonstrated in his time.
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The Power of Family and Chosen Family: Dr. Batista acknowledged the vital role that both her biological and chosen families played in her journey. She spoke about the unwavering support she received from her parents and siblings and the chosen families she formed at UVM. These relationships gave her strength and community, integral to her success. She expressed deep gratitude for these continued bonds over nearly three decades, recognizing them as part of her legacy.
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Activism and Early Advocacy at UVM: A central part of Dr. Batista’s remarks focused on her early activism at UVM, particularly her role in addressing a racist hazing incident that targeted a student of color. Her leadership, in this case, alongside leaders like Leon Lawrence, Wanda Heading-Grant, and Sherwood Smith, shaped her as a staunch advocate for equity and inclusion. She reflected on how these experiences deepened her commitment to advocacy and provided her with essential lifelong lessons.
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Professional Growth and Leadership Foundations: Dr. Batista emphasized how her time at UVM laid the groundwork for her leadership career. Whether through her roles at the ALANA Student Center or her contribution to the launch of UVM’s inaugural LGBTQ+ Center, she learned to create inclusive spaces and lead with empathy. These experiences equipped her with the skills to navigate diverse environments and propelled her into higher education and DEIB leadership roles.
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Belonging as a Shared Responsibility: Dr. Batista highlighted that belonging is a shared responsibility, requiring active engagement from everyone. She shared how she has strategically used her multiple identities to create spaces of belonging for others and build bridges across differences. Her leadership philosophy centers on the importance of leaving every place better than she found it, a principle that continues to drive her work today.
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A Call for Inclusive Leadership: Dr. Batista called for collective action to advance equity and inclusion. In light of today’s challenging political and social climate, she stressed that individuals must step up and make meaningful contributions within their spheres of influence. She encouraged the audience to take small but impactful steps toward building communities of belonging and creating lasting change.
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Building a Better Future Together: As Dr. Batista reflected on Andrew Harris’s legacy, she urged the audience to continue working to ensure the advancement of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. She also expressed the need to work collectively to preserve what has been accomplished over time through the courage of Andrew Harris and others. She reminded everyone that change is incremental and that each step taken today contributes to building a better future for future generations. Her message was hope, courage, and the need to create a better world through consistent action.
Final Thoughts
Dr. Batista’s journey at UVM and beyond exemplifies the power of resilience, advocacy, and community. She inspires others to build a better, more inclusive future by recognizing the importance of individual and collective action. “The best way to honor Andrew Harris’s legacy is by doing the work—starting with our own,” she said. “We must keep moving forward, one step at a time, to create spaces of belonging and ensure that the fight for justice and equity continues.”
About Dr. Angela Batista
A native of the Dominican Republic, Angela grew up in Brooklyn, New York. A first-generation college student and professional, she is an experienced and successful educator and leader. Known as The Transformation by Design Coach, Angela is an experienced leader and executive coach. She is an author, international speaker, leadership and organizational development facilitator, and a successful diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) strategist. With many years of practical and successful leadership experience, Angela is a Harvard Business Review (HBR) Advisory Council member. She is the lead editor of the 2018 publication Latinx/a/os in Higher Education: Exploring Identity, Pathways, and Success. Angela’s work with executives, senior and DEIB teams, and organizations is guided by her Inclusive Leadership by Design Blueprint©.
Before founding Transformation by Design (Batista Consulting), Angela served as Vice President for Student Affairs and Senior Diversity Officer for multiple institutions in higher education in the United States. She has also worked in K-12 education and as a therapist in the nonprofit sector. She has been recognized as a Pillar of the Profession by NASPA and served as Board Chair for the organization during the Covid-19 pandemic. Angela earned her doctorate in Leadership from Nova Southeastern University and her master’s degree from the University of Vermont. Her undergraduate work was completed at Brooklyn College in New York City. She has also earned certifications in Coaching, Gestalt Organizational Development, and Appreciative Inquiry.
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