Chris Kosakowski

Staff Spotlight: Chris Kosakowski

04/04/2023

Chris Kosakowski’s new role on campus encompasses critical areas: eliminate gender- and race-based violence and empower action beyond the reaches of our campus. He joins ESF’s Division of Student Affairs after 10 at Vera House, most recently leading the Campus where he worked with colleges in Onondaga County to provide support for issues related to domestic and sexual violence.  In the Syracuse community with Vera House. How is he serving the ESF community?

Q: Tell us about your role as Coordinator of Student Inclusion Initiatives and OVW Grant Project Director.
A: I am serving in a new hybrid role for the campus to focus on bringing together important work on campus in creating a safe and equitable experience for students. Part of my work is the Project Director for an Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) Grant, overseeing our prevention and awareness efforts for issues related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. I’ll also be running the Choose Action Network (a coordinated community response team bringing together staff from across campus and the community to do this important work).

The other half of my role is Coordinator of Student Inclusion Initiatives, supporting students in historically underrepresented or marginalized student organizations and groups and promoting diversity and inclusion efforts across campus. In this role I’m hoping to bridge some of the gaps and make connections across campus to create safer and more equitable experiences for students.

Q: April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. What programs and events will ESF be offering and how can our community get involved?
A: April 3 will be the kick-off day for the month, where there will be tabling in Gateway to provide information about sexual assault and how to be involved in prevention work. April 4 is National Wear Teal Day and April 26 is Denim Day; both days honor the experiences of survivors and work to show how clothing is not an invitation for harassment or violence. We are doing all of this in partnership with Vera House. During Earth Week, I will be hosting a conversation titled “Uprooting Harm and Oppression: How to Connect Environmental and Social Justice” to discuss the connections between environmental justice, racism, sexism, and other forms of oppression. On April 25, we’ll be hosting Take Back Our College, which is a rally, march, and survivor speak-out designed to bring the campus together in changing the culture of sexual assault. Check Engage for more info on all of these events!

Q: Can you share more about the importance of inclusion?
A: Inclusion is a core component of any form of work. Every person has a unique way of navigating the world and, in our society, different people experience this differently because of our identities. Inclusion isn’t something that is just done in throwing up a sticker or “celebrating diversity;” it’s an intentional framework that needs to happen across every part of a system to truly allow for all students to thrive. I believe that when we start centering folks who are on the margins of identity, we’re benefiting everyone in the process and correcting historic injustices.

Q: Why did you choose to be part of ESF?
A: Before this role, I was working at Vera House, the local domestic and sexual violence agency for almost a decade and was coordinating their Campus Team. I worked with ESF a lot in this capacity and it was always my favorite campus to work with because the students and staff here are so uniquely passionate about making the world a better place. When the opportunity to become an actual member of the campus community came up, I couldn’t say no!  My love for houseplants, crows, veganism, and all things flora and fauna just happened to fit the vibe here too.

Q: What is your favorite animal and why?
A: Corvids of any variety, but specifically crows. They’re just so smart and misunderstood. They’re brilliant, social creatures that have such interesting habits. Plus, my favorite color is black so they just look so cool to me.