Message from the Director – April 2025
Farewell, but Not Far Away (My Final Message)
From: Dr. Miguel Baique, Director of the David T. Kearns Center for Leadership and Diversity, University of Rochester
Dear Kearns Center Community,
With a full heart and a deep sense of gratitude, I write to share that I will be transitioning from my role as the Director of the David T. Kearns Center for Leadership and Diversity. I have accepted an exciting new position within the University of Rochester—joining the Advancement team as a Regional Advancement Director (Major Gifts Officer)—an opportunity that was simply too meaningful to pass up. It allows me to continue advancing the mission of this remarkable institution. My last day at the Center will be on April 18.
As an alum of the University of Rochester, I carry with me a personal and professional dedication to the University’s ideals. Being entrusted with launching the next chapter of the Kearns Center has been the honor of a lifetime. The Center’s mission has never been just part of my job—it is deeply intertwined with who I am. As someone whose own journey has been shaped by the transformative power of education, mentorship, and access, I bring a deep personal connection to the mission of the Kearns Center. Growing up navigating the complexities of higher education as a first-generation college student, I understand the importance of creating spaces where students from historically underrepresented and marginalized backgrounds feel seen, supported, and empowered. At the Kearns Center, I see a reflection of my own experiences and values—a commitment to equity, excellence, and opportunity that drives our work to ensure that all students have the tools, resources, and community they need to thrive. As a proud first-generation college graduate, I have walked the very path our students walk every day. My story is their story. And that shared experience has shaped every decision, every initiative, and every relationship I’ve fostered in this role.
Over the past two years, the Kearns Center has grown in extraordinary ways. Together, we’ve had many successes, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Rebuilt our team during a critical period—filling seven key staff vacancies to ensure our students receive the high-quality support they deserve.
- Restructured our staffing model to provide role clarity, specialization, and career growth for our dedicated team members.
- Amplified our communications and marketing efforts, establishing consistent branding, expanding our social media presence, and elevating the visibility of our students' accomplishments through articles, features, and storytelling.
- Pursued and secured new funding streams—including grants and donor partnerships—that have supported programmatic innovation and sustainability.
- Expanded and strengthened our student programming to reflect evolving student needs and experiences.
- Increased our graduate recruitment efforts, especially for underrepresented students, resulting in record-breaking applications and enrollment numbers.
- Completed the Center’s first-ever formal evaluation, which will serve as the foundation for our forthcoming 5-year strategic plan.
These accomplishments have been the result of a shared vision and tireless work by our phenomenal team. I am proud of what we’ve built and deeply confident in what lies ahead.
I would also like to share that Dr. Beth Olivares, our long-standing Executive Director and visionary leader, has officially transitioned full time into her role as Associate Vice Provost (AVP). In this University-wide position, Dr. Olivares is now focused on supporting faculty affairs, professional and leadership development for faculty, and equity initiatives—another critical pillar of the institution’s strategic plan. Her legacy at Kearns will continue to shape our work for years to come. The Kearns Center extends our gratitude to Dr. Olivares for her outstanding leadership, dedication, and impact during her time with the Center. We wish her continued success and fulfillment in her new role as AVP, and we look forward to seeing all that she will accomplish in this exciting next chapter!
To Our Students:
You are the heart of the Kearns Center. Every day, I have been inspired by your resilience, brilliance, and drive to make the world a better place—not only for yourselves but for those coming after you. You are the reason this work matters. Please know this: your dreams are valid, your voices are powerful, and your presence in every space you enter is necessary. Continue to aspire with boldness, inspire with your authenticity, and change the world with your courage. You have already done more than you realize, and your journey is just beginning. I am so proud of each and every one of you. Keep going. Keep dreaming. Keep thriving. And know that I will always be in your corner, cheering you on.
To Our Staff:
You are the engine behind the Kearns Center’s success. I have had the privilege of working alongside an extraordinary team—one that shows up every single day with heart, brilliance, and an unrelenting commitment to student success. You have uplifted one another and held this work with such care. It has been a joy to lead with you, laugh with you, and learn from you. Thank you for your unwavering dedication, your creativity, and your belief in our students. The Center is stronger because of you.
To Our Partners and Donors:
To the colleagues across campus, community partners, and donors who have believed in and supported our mission—thank you. Your collaboration, generosity, and shared vision have been instrumental in our ability to expand programming, increase access, and elevate our impact. Whether through formal partnerships, generous gifts, or quiet advocacy behind the scenes, your contributions have helped create opportunities that will continue to transform lives. It has been an honor to work alongside you in advancing a mission that uplifts students and communities. I am deeply grateful for your trust and for the meaningful relationships we’ve built together.
This transition marks a new chapter, but it is not a goodbye to the work or to this community. Though I will no longer serve as Director, I remain part of the University of Rochester community—still close by, still cheering from the sidelines, and still committed to the values and vision that define the Kearns Center.
Thank you to every student, colleague, donor, and partner who has walked alongside me on this journey. I will carry the lessons, the laughter, and the legacy of this work with me as I take this next step. I look forward to supporting the Kearns Center in new ways and cheering it on as it continues to break down barriers and build up futures.
With heartfelt gratitude and Meliora spirit,
Miguel Baique
Director (Outgoing)