Dr. DeeDee M. Bennett Gayle has been named the recipient of the Dr. Hazel Dukes Fellowship, an award that honors significant contributions to civil rights and public education in New York State. Governor Kathy Hochul made the announcement, highlighting Dr. Bennett Gayle’s role as an Associate Professor at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany and her participation in the 2024 class for SUNY Leadership Institutes.
“Dr. Hazel Dukes was a tireless force in the fight for civil rights and equality in New York State,” Governor Hochul said. “She is dearly missed, and I am honored to pay tribute to her legacy through the recognition of this year’s fellow and ensure Dr. Dukes’ vital work continues to inspire New Yorkers for generations to come.”
The fellowship is awarded to alumni of SUNY Leadership Institutes who reflect Dr. Dukes’ dedication to diversity, equity, and justice. Dr. Dukes previously served as President of the NAACP New York State Conference, was a member of both the NAACP National Board of Directors and Executive Committee, and held a position on various board sub-committees within the organization. She also served as a trustee on SUNY’s Board.
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr., commented on Dr. Bennett Gayle’s recognition: “Dr. Dukes was a driving force for equality and human rights, working tirelessly for generations of New Yorkers to have opportunities for upward mobility. I congratulate Dr. Bennett Gayle on this well-earned recognition, and I look forward to seeing how her work continues to uphold Dr. Dukes’ life and legacy of leadership and service.”
The SUNY Board of Trustees stated: “SUNY is honored to join Governor Hochul and celebrate Dr. Dukes, who dedicated every waking moment so each generation would have a path to pursue their dreams. We are pleased to recognize Dr. Bennett Gayle for her hard work and commitment to uplifting Dr. Dukes’ legacy of civil rights and equality for all New Yorkers.”
During the 55th annual legislative conference hosted by the New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislators, SUNY also introduced its next Director in Residence for its Leadership Institutes: Dr. Leonardo Falcón from Nassau Community College will take on this rotating role supporting program planning, coordination, management experience, governance structures, and operational workflows.
Dr. DeeDee M. Bennett Gayle leads research at SUNY Albany focused on emergency preparedness with particular attention given to vulnerable populations such as older adults, people with disabilities, racial minorities, or ethnic minorities—areas she explores using experimental design methods including interviews or survey analysis across disasters like tornadoes or infectious diseases within United States contexts.
Her academic background includes a PhD in Fire and Emergency Management from Oklahoma State University along with master’s degrees in public policy plus electrical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology; she has directed projects funded by organizations like National Science Foundation or Federal Emergency Management Agency.
SUNY’s Leadership Institutes offer professional development opportunities aimed at faculty members or administrators interested in higher education leadership roles supporting student success regardless of barriers faced—including those participating through specialized institutes targeting underrepresented groups such as Asian American or Black leaders—and select fellows based on demonstrated leadership experience within higher education settings.
The State University of New York system comprises 64 colleges/universities throughout New York serving approximately 1.7 million students annually across degree programs plus continuing/community education initiatives; it manages multiple hospitals/health centers/labs while accounting for nearly one-quarter of all academic research conducted statewide—with expenditures reaching about $1.5 billion during fiscal year 2025—and boasts over three million alumni globally.
