FLCC welcomes first PRODiG+CC faculty in computer science

The SUNY program supports the core principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Finger Lakes Community College welcomed two new computer science faculty members – Wes Dixon of Fairport and Paige LaBarr of Brighton – in the fall as part of the State University of New York’s PRODiG+CC program supporting community colleges’ efforts to retain an educated workforce committed to advancing the core principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“We are excited to welcome these outstanding scholars, whose presence and perspectives will enrich the educational experience for our students and strengthen our culture of belonging,” said Sim Covington, FLCC chief diversity officer.

Wes holds a master’s in teaching and teacher education from the University of Arizona in Tucson. He has 23 years of teaching experience in New York and Arizona and more than 10 years in the banking and finance industry. Before FLCC, he taught secondary math and computer science in the Pittsford Central School District. He has served outside the classroom as a math competition judge, taught Saturday sessions to prepare students for standardized tests, and worked with a grants coordinator to equip math classrooms in an Arizona middle school with Smart Boards.

Paige holds a certificate of advanced study in educational administration from SUNY Brockport. She taught high school math and computer science courses for 10 years, also in the Pittsford district. Before joining the college full-time, she was the assistant principal at Honeoye Falls-Lima Middle School and an FLCC adjunct computer science instructor. As a Project Lead the Way computer science core training facilitator from 2016 to 2023, she led national computer science professional learning sessions for high school teachers.

“I’ve loved my first few months as a full-time faculty member. FLCC has an incredibly welcoming community dedicated to high-quality, accessible teaching for all learners,” she said.

The PRODiG+CC Fellowship is open to any and all prospective candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex, and is consistent with all current governing federal and state nondiscrimination law. All application submissions are assessed and evaluated in accordance with required eligibility criteria.