Petrina Hill-Cheatom: our new Title IX Coordinator and Associate Dean of Students

By: Hannah Wiley, Features Editor

There’s a new Griff on campus, or in better terms, a returning Griff – Petrina Hill-Cheatom, our new Title IX Coordinator and Associate Dean of Students. Starting Sept. 15, Hill-Cheatom has nearly a month under her belt in her new position and already has ideas for how to better the Griff community!

Graduating in the class of ‘88, Hill-Cheatom got a Bachelor of Arts in communications and media studies here at Canisius. She then continued on to get a master’s degree in educational leadership with an emphasis in sociology of education and urban leadership from the University at Buffalo. Prior to coming to Canisius, she spent 24 years working at Erie Community College as Director of Admissions/Call Center Operations, Acting Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students II. She also worked for Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center as the Deputy Chief Academic Officer for three years. 

“I am an administrator who has worked in various capacities, all for the benefit of students. Student advocacy is my passion, and I would say, even though I'm in a different role that's more serious and heavy [in terms of Title IX], I'm still here to advocate on behalf of students to ensure that their experience here is a successful experience,” Hill-Cheatom said. Her main goal is to be an approachable face on campus for students both because of her higher education experience, but also because she wants to be a friendly face that students can rely on. 

 “I never thought that I would come back to Canisius in this capacity…I always thought that it would be in a role of an alumni giving back in some capacity, not working here. So this is more special. It’s unexpected, and it gives me an additional pride to have graduated from Canisius and coming back to work in this capacity, helping to advance the Jesuit mission of Canisius and to help students to be successful,” Hill-Cheatom said. For only being on campus for less than a month, Hill-Cheatom has big goals for her role. She wants to be proactive about Title IX and hold information sessions to keep the student body informed about her and what their roles and rights are. “I want to work [on] the aspect of informing students to be better individuals, to grow socially and personally, and that's my focus,” said Hill-Cheatom. 

She is looking forward to being a resource for student organizations, as well as individual students and families. She is also excited to establish partnerships with her colleagues and work collaboratively across all parts of campus to ensure the happiness and wellbeing of all students. “It’s a different role, one that I did not expect, but one that I’m immensely proud of, and I’m glad to be here working with students,” Hill-Cheatom said. 

She not only knows what it means to be a Griff and to bleed blue and gold, but she’s walked in our shoes in these very halls. She knows how we feel and is ready to be an advocate for every student on campus.