Briarcliffe College President Dr. George Santiago Jr., has been recognized by the Long Island Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender (GLBT) Services Network for his extraordinary work with the private institution.
Santiago was appointed to his current position as president in 2006 after serving as Provost and Chief Academic Officer for two years. The Long Island chapter of GLBT will present Santiago with an Equality Award at the 2011 Equality Awards Gala on Friday, April 29.
“The programs that comprise the LIGLBT Services Network are vital to building communication and understanding in our schools, communities, and workplaces,” said Santiago. “I commend their efforts and am proud to be recognized for my support.”
Though a great honor, it is certainly a familiar feeling for the college president who has been previously recognized by The American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, La Fuerza Unida, Adelante of Suffolk County, and the Nassau County Youth Board, among many others.
In the past five years, Santiago has overseen the introduction of new academic degree programs, a significant increase in student enrollment, the re-organization of the school's sports program. Outside of college curriculum and athletics, Santiago has worked to benefit many communities on Long Island and previously underserved populations like Long Island's Hispanic people and gay and lesbian youth.
From Santiago's dedication and hard work, Briarcliffe College unveiled a Hispanic Scholarship program to encourage high school Latinos to enroll in college and further their education. The college's Patchogue campus also held many public hearings on bias crime after the fatal attack and stabbing of Marcelo Lucero.
Briarcliffe College currently operates three for-profit career campuses; one in Long Island City, Bethpage and Patchogue. The Middle States Association accredited school offers four-year programs in accounting, business administration, criminal justice, graphic design, information technology, management and paralegal studies.
The Long Island GLBT Equality Awards Gala will take place at the Hyatt Regency Long Island's Hauppauge location with several celebrity guest appearances. Tickets can be purchased online, at the organization's website.
