Ithaca College

On behalf of everyone who has worked closely with Dr. Tanya Saunders in her nearly thirty-year tenure at Ithaca College, the Office of International Programs and Extended Studies is honored to celebrate Dr. Saunders’ distinguished career and the announcement of her retirement. 

Dr. Saunders arrived at Ithaca College in 1991 as Director of International Programs. Before IC, she hailed from Florida International University’s Center for Multilingual and Multicultural Studies.  

She received her BA from Bucknell University in Spanish and French Literature and her MA/PhD from Brown University in Hispanic Studies. Dr. Saunders was recipient of a Brown University Fellowship, a Ford Foundation Fellowship, and a Fulbright-Hays Fellowship for dissertation research. 

Among her many achievements at Ithaca College, Dr. Tanya Saunders was instrumental in the establishment of the Center for the Study of Culture, Race, and Ethnicity (CSCRE) and organized throughout her time on campus multiple, ongoing speaker series, including her favorite: a year-long collaboration with the CSCRE and the School of Music on the Music of the African Diaspora.  

Dr. Saunders served as Dean of the Division of Interdisciplinary and International Studies (DIIS) for nine years; inaugurated the First Year Reading Initiative with the Office of Multicultural Affairs; established the London Faculty Sabbatical Program; and helped to develop the MLK Scholars Program, continuing to serve since as a beloved MLK Scholar Mentor.  She served as Executive Producer for the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival (FLEFF), leading an interdisciplinary team of faculty in transforming FLEFF from a regional film festival to one featuring international collaboration across many different media platforms and disciplines.

Dr. Saunders' commitment to internationalizing the campus, to supporting students seeking to study abroad, and to creating a welcoming environment for international students at IC has made a lasting, positive impact on countless students over her many years of service.

Dr. Saunders states: “All of my undertakings on behalf of the College were accomplished with the generous collaboration of faculty and staff colleagues. It has been a pleasure to work in the Office of International Programs and Extended Studies.” 

Tanya, on behalf of the OIPES and all of your colleagues at IC and in London, please know how very much you will be missed!

Below are just a few of the many tributes to Dr. Saunders we have gathered in honor of her retirement. Visit the International Programs and Extended Studies website to read more heartfelt gratitude for Dr. Saunders' intellect, warmth, and mentorship and the well wishes from her colleagues in OIPES, across Ithaca’s campus and its London Center.  

I extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Saunders for her many years of service to Ithaca College. Her belief in the value of international travel and interdisciplinary study helped make the Office of International Programs and Extended Studies an integral part of Academic Affairs. Her work with the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival and the Common Academic Experience serve as exemplars of her commitment to excellence in everything she does. Ithaca College is better because Dr. Saunders was here and I am grateful to have had the privilege of working with her during my first two years as provost. I wish her a wonderful retirement which is certainly well earned!
-Dr. La Jerne Terry Cornish, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

It is not a coincidence that Tanya is closely connected to two of the most distinctly innovative initiatives that the College attempted during her time here. DIIS represented the first real effort that the College ever made to break down our famous “silos” and OIP was a place where the full potential of a college experience could be realized. Neither would have happened without Dr. Saunders. 
-Professor Bob Sullivan, Communication Studies

Dr. Saunders, whose academic profile includes years teaching Caribbean literature before taking on administrative positions, is a true intellectual, and she has brought that focus to FLEFF and to all aspects of her administrative career.
-Professor Tom Shevory, Politics

I am profoundly grateful to Dr. Saunders for her leadership to help create, support and promote the Martin Luther King Scholar Program.  Her contributions profoundly enhanced the success of the program for students and the IC community.
-Dr. Roger "Doc" Richardson, Associate Vice President, Student Affairs and Campus Life 

As a member of London faculty, I always looked forward tremendously to Tanya's visits. I have fond memories of her razor-sharp insights & gentle humour in conversations over supper. She sprinkled handfuls of warmth, kindness & integrity. Her passion for and commitment to the students and the London Centre was infectious and inspiring. Each time she left, a little bit of her magic rubbed off on us and brought us all closer together. 
-Professor Simon Whitehouse, Ithaca College London Center