Port Chester Woman Hired to Head Purchase Multicultural Center

PORT CHESTER, NY — A Port Chester resident was hired as the new director of the Purchase College-SUNY Multicultural Center.

Daisy Torres began her new position in early September. The center opened in January 2016.

Most recently, Torres served as program manager at Latinos U College Access in White Plains, where she helped support students and their families, according to a college spokeswoman.

Previously she was the coordinator of the Hispanic Cultural Center at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee.

SShe holds a B.A. in Sociology with a concentration in Latino Studies from Cornell University, and an M.S. in Student Affairs Administration from Binghamton University.

Part of the comprehensive diversity plan launched by Purchase College last year, the Multicultural Center is an inclusive place for members of the campus community to explore, learn, and share their cultural identities and differences with one another. The Center, which occupies the first floor of a centrally located residence hall, serves as a meeting area and educational resource providing support to the campus community and presenting student, faculty, and staff-run programs throughout the year.

Torres said she was looking forward to working closely with the students and faculty.

“I’m excited to bring people together for panel discussions, author events, exhibitions, and performances that inspire dialogue and activism,” she said.

“I’m grateful that Purchase has a designated space for conversations surrounding the issues of diversity and multiculturalism that are so important to our community and our nation, especially in this election year,” Torres said.

Upcoming programs at the Center include a screening of Mala Mala, a documentary about LGBTQ activists in Puerto Rico on September 21 at 7 p.m., an Afro-Latinix Dance Party on September 23 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and a film series focused on the African diaspora on September 28 at 7 p.m.. Admission is free and open to the public.

For more information about events in the Multicultural Center, contact daisy.baeztorres@purchase.edu.

Photo credit: Purchase College.