DeeDee Bennett Gayle Named Recipient of Dr. Hazel Dukes Fellowship

Headshot of DeeDee Bennett Gayle, associate professor at the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity.

By Mike Nolan

ALBANY, N.Y. (Feb. 19, 2026) — Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday that DeeDee Bennett Gayle, associate professor at the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (CEHC), is the recipient of the Dr. Hazel Dukes Fellowship.

The Dr. Hazel Dukes Fellowship honors the legacy of Hazel N. Dukes, a pioneering civil rights advocate and longtime leader of the NAACP who advanced racial equity, voting rights, educational access and economic justice across New York and the nation.

Selected from SUNY Leadership Institute alumni, the Dr. Hazel Dukes Fellow embodies the values, accomplishments, passion and dedication to diversity, equity and justice that defined Dr. Dukes’ career and life.

Bennett Gayle was a member of the 2024 SUNY Black Leadership Institute, one of seven selected from across the SUNY system based on proven leadership, scholarship and administrative experience over several years.

“Dr. Hazel Dukes was a tireless force in the fight for civil rights and equality in New York State,” Gov. Hochul said. “She is dearly missed, and I am honored to pay tribute to her legacy through the recognition of this year’s fellow and ensure Dr. Dukes’ vital work continues to inspire New Yorkers for generations to come.”

“SUNY is honored to join Gov. Hochul and celebrate Dr. Dukes, who dedicated every waking moment so each generation would have a path to pursue their dreams. We are pleased to recognize Dr. Bennett Gayle for her hard work and commitment to uplifting Dr. Dukes’ legacy of civil rights and equality for all New Yorkers,” the SUNY Board of Trustees said in a written statement.

Bennett Gayle serves as associate dean for research at CEHC and director of the Extreme Events, Social Equity and Technology Lab.

Her research broadly examines the influence and integration of advanced technologies in emergency management, particularly to support vulnerable populations, including older adults, people with disabilities and racial and ethnic minorities. Her work also explores workforce development and participation in disaster management fields.

She has led several research grants and contracts, including funding from the National Science Foundation, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. Her work spans all hazards, including tornadoes, hurricanes, extreme winter weather, infectious diseases, wildfires and flooding.

“This is such a great honor,” Bennett Gayle said. “Dr. Hazel Dukes was a force to be reckoned with — even well into her 90s — and a constant source of inspiration. The opportunity this fellowship provides is immeasurable, and I’m grateful for the chance to continue learning and growing as a leader within the SUNY system.”

Among Bennett Gayle’s current projects is the development of a new tool powered by artificial intelligence and virtual reality designed to help vulnerable populations prepare for disaster scenarios.

Learn more about this project on The Short Version, a weekly podcast from UAlbany’s Office of Communications and Marketing featuring brief conversations with the makers, knowers and doers on campus.