Legislator Stephanie Bontempi has been named chair of the Education and Diversity Committee, with Legislator James Mazzarella serving as vice chair. This committee is tasked with a wide range of responsibilities, from overseeing Suffolk County Community College to managing diversity initiatives across the county.
Upon her appointment, Bontempi addressed key issues facing the community college, including the need to assess budgetary constraints and enrollment trends. "We were promised an increase in enrollment... it's too early for me to really say much other than that I need to now meet with all the parties and then discuss what we need to do going forward," she explained, indicating a focus on collaboration to enhance the college's educational impact.
The committee's jurisdiction extends to the County Office for Women, the Office for People with Disabilities, and the Office of Minority Affairs, reflecting an integrated approach to education and diversity. Bontempi remarked on the committee's expanded scope, "This committee... it's different from the last administration... It's strictly the education piece and now we've added diversity to this committee," highlighting the broadened focus under her leadership.
On the topic of diversity, Bontempi provided insights into her perspective on the term and its implications. "Diversity... it's not a bad thing... maybe we should come up with a different word that has a more positive spin," she suggested, further noting, "diversity is not a bad thing when it's true diversity of culture and thought." This statement encapsulates her approach to fostering an inclusive environment that values various cultural and intellectual contributions.
With a background in education and a commitment to diversity and support, Bontempi emphasized her holistic vision for the committee's mission. "I'm all about education. I'm all about diversity. I'm all about helping people," she stated, outlining her priorities for the committee's work in Suffolk County.
Bontempi also mentioned her plans to engage with various departments within the committee's purview to identify their needs and challenges. "I'm reaching out to all of these parts to... learn what are their needs, what is working, what is not working, what can we do to improve?" she said, demonstrating a proactive approach to understanding and addressing the diverse needs of Suffolk County's communities.
As the new chair of the Education and Diversity Committee, Bontempi is positioned to lead efforts to address the challenges facing Suffolk County's educational institutions and enhance diversity and inclusion. Her leadership marks a new chapter for the committee, focusing on collaborative problem-solving and an inclusive approach to education initiatives.