Flor Araujo Payano Shares SUNY Hispanic Leadership Institute Insights
January 21, 2025MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – Leadership is not just about titles; it is about vision, intentionality, and self-assurance. For Flor Araujo Payano, Director of the Center for Student Success, this realization shaped her deeply personal journey from an ambitious 17-year-old immigrant from the Dominican Republic to a transformative leader. During her six-month fellowship at the SUNY Hispanic Leadership Institute (HLI), Araujo shifted from a task-driven mindset to a holistic approach, forged a strong professional network, and, most importantly, embraced the word ‘leader’—a role she now embodies with purpose and pride.
“This program allows individuals to connect while understanding techniques for navigating the leadership environment. I have always been driven,” Araujo shares, “and want the best. Now, I make decisions with more intention and determine if opportunities match my vision.”
Speaking with sincerity and heart, she candidly provided an overview of her educational and professional journey before becoming a first-generation leader and joining the staff at SUNY Orange, starting with her arrival in New York from the Dominican Republic at 17 years old.
“I was on track to become a doctor,” she said. “I graduated high school early and attended college before I came here. When attempting to enroll in a New York university, my first hurdle was being told I could not become a full-time student for one year. Instead of giving up, I went to another college based on a recommendation from a family friend. They recommend taking English as a Second Language classes rather than being idle. It is these people, people that understand, that will take the time to meet you where you are and believe in you that make such a difference,” she explained before describing the way she advanced through the language classes in a leapfrog momentum, based on the speed in which she learned.
The next chapters involved completing her associate degree and moving from student tutor to evening manager. “I was not designing the path and just moving through opportunities. If a door was presented to me, I simply went through it,” she explained.
After obtaining an Associate Degree from Hostos Community College, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Hunter College and a master’s in Public Administration from CUNY John Jay College, Araujo progressed through increasing levels of responsibility in employment before arriving at SUNY Orange in 2022.
“It may not be obvious to people who meet me because I appear comfortable speaking in public, but I am an introvert and quite shy. I have always been driven, wanting the best and being able to perform well. But I was not designing my career with intention. I was not making choices that would contribute to the big picture. Effective leadership is not the same as excelling in task management and completion--it is much more big picture. After attending the SUNY HLI, I could see that I needed to shift my focus and trust myself as a leader,” she admitted.
Araujo discussed the redesign of the second-floor space in the SUNY Orange Library, the current location of the Center for Student Success, as an ideal example of using the new skills tapped from the fellowship.
“Something as simple as relocating the front desk during the redesign is an example of being more holistic in thinking rather than task-focused. The thought process for the new layout included asking questions such as how is this supporting the student, how is this supporting the institution, and how is this supporting the staff? The perspective shifts, and I can see the project as a whole. I do not have to take on the details of every item on the to-do list as a leader,” she said.
The casual observer may notice others on the SUNY Orange campus seek her out, not only for congenial camaraderie but also as a mentor and peer advisor. In addition to being a member of the College’s Strategic Planning Team, she is also a part of the Student Success Committee, Strategic Enrollment Management Committee, Steering Committee for SUNY Orange’s 2025 Facilities Master Plan, Title V Steering Committee, FYE (First Year Experience) Advisory Board and SUNY Early Alters Community of Practice as well as two organizations outside of the College that do support her role as Director.
Just before completing the program, Araujo wrote about the experience, “The Hispanic Leadership Institute has been a transformative journey, unveiling new possibilities and reshaping my view of leadership. It sharpened my skills, anchoring them in vision, adaptability, and purpose, while strengthening my connection to my work and my commitment to lasting impact.
Learning alongside an extraordinary cohort of professionals was invaluable. Their diverse perspectives broadened my understanding of leadership as we turned real-world challenges into opportunities, fostering a profound sense of community that will stay with me. HLI also introduced me to a network of leaders whose insights enriched my journey and inspired me to lead with empathy, authenticity, and courage.
I leave HLI profoundly changed—grateful for the knowledge, relationships, and memories that will continue shaping my life and career. Agradezco de corazón todo lo que esta experiencia me ha dado.”
In addition to scheduled formal speakers and workshops, the HLI experience promoted vulnerability and meaningful conversations among the fellows. Araujo appreciates having a network to tap into and looks forward to being available as a resource for the next program participants.
“The bottom line is that this program allowed me to make peace with the word, ‘leader.’ I can now clearly see I am a leader and embrace it. I am happy and proud instead of scared,” she smiled.