Earlier this month, Daemen welcomed Malik Albert as the new assistant director of Daemen’s Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP).
Albert will assist HEOP students and will also help coordinate student support initiatives, including the TRI Scholars Academy and Dare 2 Dream. 
He will also recruit incoming students to the HEOP program and advise current students.
Albert earned his master’s from SUNY Buffalo State’s Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration program.
He has also worked in many college academic support programs as an instructor and academic coach.
We sat down with Albert to learn more about what inspires him in his career.
What inspired you to pursue your career?
I’m passionate about supporting students and creating student-centered initiatives. I’ve worked in multiple functional areas within higher education, and nothing compares to helping marginalized students navigate the academy. Working as an Academic Mentor and being an Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) graduate ignited my desire to work in higher education and pursue this kind of work post-graduation.
What made you want to apply to Daemen?
Daemen’s close-knit, communal environment is something I admired right away. The institution and its HEOP program both fit the mold of what I was looking for in my career. My goal is to support students as much as possible and I know this position will allow me to do that.
What is something you’d like the college community to know about you personally or professionally?
I strongly believe in student-centered initiatives and professional development. As an EOP graduate, I know firsthand how important opportunity programs are to student success in higher education.
What are your passions outside of work?
I received my undergraduate degree in graphic design and still pursue the field today, so I remain passionate about art, art history, visiting exhibits and galleries, and discovering more regarding art overall.
What are you looking forward to in 2022?
I’m looking forward to dedicating my work to positively impacting the students at Daemen as much as possible. Hopefully, I can encourage them and help them shape their experience here at Daemen.
I’m also looking forward to the spring and warm weather!