Elms College has named accomplished higher-education executive Antoinette "Bonnie" Candia-Bailey the college's first vice president of Student Affairs and chief Diversity officer. Candia-Bailey, joined Elms College on April 1 and assumed responsibility for the strategic oversight and management of the college's Student Affairs and Diversity and Inclusion offices.

The position of vice president of Student Affairs and chief Diversity officer is a new one for the college. Candia-Bailey will be responsible for providing leadership, management, and supervision to the director of Diversity and Inclusion, the dean of students, the director of Campus Ministry, and the director of Athletics. She will advise the president and other members of the executive leadership team on all student-affairs and diversity matters.

Candia-Bailey has more than 20 years of progressive experience in student affairs and diversity and inclusion at higher-education institutions, including North Carolina State University, Towson University in Maryland, and North Carolina A&T State University. She holds a doctoral degree in leadership studies from North Carolina A&T State University, a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling and disability studies from Michigan State University, and a bachelor's degree in sociology from Lincoln University in Missouri.

"I am deeply honored and humbled to join the Elms College Cabinet, led by President Harry E. Dumay," Candia-Bailey said. "I look forward to playing a role in promoting and advocating the success of all of our students. I am excited to contribute to the strategic goals, mission, and vision by being a student-centered advocate."

Abiding by the college's social-distancing policy during the COVID-19 pandemic, she will be working remotely at the start of her tenure.

The Office of Alumni Relations and many other campus partners are looking forward to welcoming alumni back to campus in the near future. Unfortunately we will need to postpone the 2020 Reunion due to the uncertainty of COVID-19. This does not diminish how excited we are to have you back on campus and are in the process of reaching out to alumni from the 2020 reunion classes, graduates of the 0's and 5's. At the same time, we will be reaching out to the graduating classes of 1's and 6's that will reunion in June 2021 for your feedback as well. 

This year, the Class of 1970 celebrates their 50th Reunion and will be welcomed as Golden Blazers. We could never let this milestone pass without a special celebration. We will be looking at new and creative ideas and those ideas are going to be best generated from you, our dedicated alumni. 

Should we celebrate in the September, October, or next spring? What are the most important aspects of reunion? What new event ideas do you have? What Elms' traditions are most important to you?

Reunion classes watch for an upcoming alumni survey and share your feedback so we can plan the best reunion experience. 

In order to make our reimagined reunion the talk of the Elms alumni community, we need your help. Please contact Andrea Holden at [email protected] or 413-265-2454 if you want to talk about your ideas or are willing to volunteer.