Kenitra Horsley (seated third from leſt) participated in the Next Leaders Fellowship, designed to develop and advocate for BIPOC IT professionals in higher education. Photo courtesy of Bowdoin College.
that it would arm her with knowledge, tools and skills to be successful in the role. “And to have a program designed specifically for leaders of color, that meant they understood the challenges and biases we might face whether explicit or implicit. That was icing on the cake,” she said. She says the fellowship helped her to appreciate the power
of having a network — and leveraging it. “The fellowship was transformational. It changed my
mindset around the idea that I didn’t have to do it alone. Most if not all of the fellows came with several years of experience and were accustomed to working hard and doing things independently. So, having a community of people that look like you, get it and understand the challenges BIPOC leaders face, it helped to change my mindset to see that I don’t have to do it alone. It’s very powerful knowing you have support, mentorship and even sponsorship.” Horsley has mentored others throughout her career and
looks forward to continuing to do so, whether it’s a current or future Next Leader fellow or someone she encounters along the way. She wants to help others, give back and pay it forward. Dawn Connell is Queens’ former assistant registrar and says of Horsley, “Not only is she an incredible role model but
she is commited to ensuring that she isn’t the only woman of color to have this level of success in IT. She invests her time working with organizations that foster diversity not just in the tech sector but senior leadership in the tech sector.” “Kenitra is demonstrating that that organizational C-suite not only does not need to look like it always has historically, but there is also unequivocal benefit from the shiſt she is metamorphosizing,” says Ryan Adams, a friend and former technology partner. Horsley is also enthusiastic about leading a diverse team
and taking advantage of the inclusive culture at Queens. Earlier in her career, Horsley felt she was ready for the CIO role, yet she just wasn’t given the opportunity elsewhere. Her goal at Queens is to help ensure that others avoid having that feeling. “The University has always supported women, and just
seeing more women in senior leadership roles is empowering,” she said. "People are looking at you, so this is an opportunity for me to be the reflection I didn’t have as I was coming along. I didn’t have a Black female tech leader that I could mirror or even see as a possibility. I welcome the idea that I can be that for someone else and have an impact.”
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