Tanhena Pacheco Dunn, Esq.
Vice President for Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion
Vice President for Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion
Tanhena Pacheco Dunn, Esq., assumed the role of Associate Vice President for Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion in August 2016 and became Vice President for Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion on Jan. 1, 2022.
In this role, Pacheco Dunn oversees the areas of human resources and Title IX, creating a more intentional and integrated organization charged with broad responsibility for supporting and developing the people who form our community and are our most valued resource.
In addition, Pacheco Dunn serves as the Chief Diversity Officer. In this capacity she co-chairs the Diversity & Inclusion Council with a member of the faculty and leads the Bias Response Team. A member of the President’s Cabinet since 2017, she partners cross-divisionally to advance the University’s commitment to antiracism, diversity, equity and inclusion. Pacheco Dunn advocates for the practice of institutional decision making through a lens of equity and the importance of sustained engagement in diversity equity and inclusion work to effect meaningful cultural change at all levels of the institution.
Pacheco Dunn was appointed as the first executive director for compliance & campus climate in 2012. In this role, Pacheco Dunn is responsible for monitoring the University’s compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures as they apply to: Title IX provisions that deal with sexual assault, sexual harassment, and hostile workplace issues; affirmative action; and New York State ethics legislation. This includes resolving complaints, making policy recommendations, designing and facilitating training for students and employees (with support from Student Affairs and Human Resources, respectively), developing and administering the University’s affirmative action plan, and serving as the point of contact on relevant compliance questions from state, federal or other regulatory agencies.
Prior to her appointment at New Paltz, Pacheco Dunn served as the assistant director of human resources at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, where she was responsible for employee relations issues including compliance, performance management and staffing needs for more than 1,100 employees. She partnered with the EEOA office to support continued training in the areas of harassment, non-discrimination and Title IX. In addition, Pacheco Dunn managed the Worker’s Compensation, Family Medical Leave and Disability processes; had administrative oversight of three collective bargaining agreements; and assisted with drafting policies and responses to legal matters. Prior to her position at Vassar College, Pacheco Dunn was an alumni recruiter for the Albany Law School in Albany, New York.
Pacheco Dunn holds her juris doctor degree from Albany Law School of Union University and her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Vassar College. She is also certified as a New York State mediator.
