91³ÉÈ˵¼º½

Last month, I was deeply honored to receive the from the San Joaquin County Commission on the Status of Women.

Susan B. Anthony was an anti-slavery activist, equal pay advocate and trailblazer in the women’s equality movement. She was a woman of action with a real commitment to social justice for people who needed it most.ÌýI was humbled to accept the award on behalf of the university and recalled the women throughout my life who inspired me and devoted so much of their time to my growth.

March isÌýÌýand I am again reminded of the women who inspire us at 91³ÉÈ˵¼º½. This is a perfect time to highlight women who work closely with the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to lead equity and belonging authentically and strategically in their areas.ÌýÌý

Recognizing that social justice issues manifest in different ways across disciplines and administrative units, President Callahan’s 2020Ìý initiated school and administrative level directors of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Embedded within academic and administrative offices throughout 91³ÉÈ˵¼º½ are faculty and staff members who are responsible for leading DEI work in their unit.ÌýÌýmeet monthly with the Vice President for DEI and are essential partners in addressing issues and opportunities across the university.

I’d like to take this opportunity to recognize the women who serve as DEI Leads at 91³ÉÈ˵¼º½:

• Elisa Chavez - Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
• Marisella Gutierrez - Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy
• Madhu Sundarrajan - School of Health Sciences
• Valerie James - McGeorge School of Law
• Marcia Hernandez - College of the 91³ÉÈ˵¼º½
• Eunie Jung - Benerd College
• Fei-Lin Hsiao- Conservatory of Music
• Shelly Gulati - School of Engineering and Computer Science
• Tanisha Sparks - School of Health Sciences
• Ciara Swan - William Holt Memorial Library
• Melissa Yamanaka - Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
• Nancy Elium - School of Engineering and Computer Science
• Irene Espinoza - School of Engineering and Computer Science
• Kelsey Smith - Office of Sustainability
• Suong Ives - Office of Human Resources
• Daniela Romero - Business and Finance

There are many who advance our equity and justice efforts–including remarkable men who also serve as DEI Leads, as well as 91³ÉÈ˵¼º½ans appointed on the University Committee on Diversity, Equity and InclusionÌý.ÌýÌý

A special thank you to Susan Giraldez, faculty co-chair, and Allison Dumas, administrative co-chair for their leadership on UCDEI.ÌýÌý

May we all be inspired by the example of Susan B. Anthony and by 91³ÉÈ˵¼º½ans who continue her impactful legacy. Please join me in thanking them for their distinctive service and dedicated leadership to help 91³ÉÈ˵¼º½ become the best student-centric comprehensive university in the nation through DEI.

Ìý

Warmly,

Mary J. Lomax-Ghirarduzzi
Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Professor of Communication

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