Chloe Erno
News Editor
Dottie Morris, who served as the vice president of community and belonging, will not be returning to her position in Fall 2026 because it was eliminated.
Morris said the college found that her role no longer fit with the strategic direction of the campus going forward.
“My heart is broken. I won’t be there,” Morris said. “The greatest moments I’ve had, I’ve had them at Keene State, and I always say that students help me stay connected to the work that I do.”
According to a recent Sentinel article, Morris was offered the opportunity to remain at Keene State in a teaching role but decided not to accept the changed role.
Morris explained that she “wanted to do some of the work I had done in my past role, and I was told I couldn’t do that.”
Morris confirmed that despite not continuing to teach at Keene State, she will continue to do her advocacy work.
“This is some work that I’ve dedicated all of my professional life to, creating communities where people belong,” Morris said. “I’m going to continue to do the work.”
Morris emphasized that despite her departure, she’s certain Keene State will continue both its advocacy work for the community and building a sense of belonging on campus for all students.
“I’ve been assured the work will continue,” Morris said. “There will continue to be a coalition of community and belonging.”
Interim President of Keene State College and President of Plymouth State University Don Birx commented on Morris’ departure, explaining that funding was a major reason behind the elimination of Morris’ position.
“It was a financial issue,” Birx said. “We wanted to maintain as much student support as we could.”
Birx elaborated that there was a restructuring of consecutive leadership following the budget cuts from the state, and that as much administrative leadership as possible was cut to maintain the college.
Birx said that there is consideration to find a replacement for Morris’s teaching roles at the moment.
Birx also explained faculty and staff cuts in other areas of campus that aligned with Morris’s departure, such as the cuts made to the HR team and the leaders for enrollment and advancement.
Birx reinforced Morris’ sentiment that despite her departure, Keene State would continue to foster a positive community where all students feel like they belong.
“[We will focus] more on making sure everyone feels like a member of the community,” Birx said. “I think it’s been ingrained into Keene and Plymouth. Maybe not using those exact words [diversity, equity and inclusion].”
Birx praised Keene State particularly as doing “a fantastic job of that.”
“The goal really, to call it now, is a sense of belonging,” Birx said. “[We will] support individuals on campus as much as we can.”
According to the Sentinel article, Morris will take a position at the state university system in New York, serving as vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion for SUNY Plattsburgh.
Chloe Erno can be contacted at
cerno@kscequinox.com
