Dr. Mary J. Wardell-Ghirarduzzi, Pacific’s vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion, shares some of Pacific's recent DEI successes.
Featured articles about Mary Wardell-Ghirarduzzi
"May community letter: integrating Pacific's DEI Framework of Excellence," Pacific Newsroom, May 20, 2022
"A month filled with faith-based, cultural and diversity celebrations," Pacific Newsroom, April 15, 2022
"Restorative Justice and Women's History Month," Pacific Newsroom, Mar. 1, 2022
"Honoring Black History Month and Lunar New Year," Pacific Newsroom, Feb. 1, 2022
"Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s sacred work a guide for DEI initiatives," Pacific Newsroom, Jan. 17, 2022
"My First 90 Days at Pacific," Pacific Newsroom, Oct. 14, 2021
University of the Pacific’s DEI Framework of Excellence is an institutional blueprint for DEI in higher education. Designed by Mary Wardell-Ghirarduzzi, Pacific’s inaugural vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion and chief diversity officer, this transformative framework is designed to integrate DEI into all aspects of campus life and operations.
Recognized nationally in 1992, Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month is celebrated in the U.S. during the month of May to provide educational and entertainment-based programs relevant to Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi cultures. During the academic calendar, University of the Pacific celebrates Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi American Heritage Month during the month of April.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month (LGBTQ Pride Month) is celebrated annually in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots and works to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) Americans. During the academic calendar, University of the Pacific celebrates Pride Month during the month of April.
Comprised of approximately 40 faculty, staff and students, this committee is a collaborative partner in creating and sustaining a university-wide culture that consistently reflects diversity, equity and inclusion as a core value. The committee also sponsors the Champions of Diversity Awards and helps fund campus DEI work with grants.
University Development and Alumni Relations has embarked on a scholarship campaign for Black students.
Nearly $200,000 in new gifts to support Black students, including $102,792 raised for the new Lift Every Voice Endowed Scholarship, led by Regent Chair Norman Allen, and $87,500 to establish the Diversity and Inclusion Endowed Scholarship for Black Students. Allen said the scholarship effort will support Black students with unmet financial needs and strong leadership traits.
ASuop President Scout Cooper-Wilson says the governing body will emphasize diversity, equity and inclusion. She speaks about her goals and hopes in an interview.
Huerta said growing up in Stockton, where her friends and neighbors were from all corners of the world, and attending Pacific had an impact on her trajectory as an activist and organizer.
“University of Pacific had such a great influence on my life,” she told an online audience in Pacific’s Leading Voices speaker series.
The Division of Student Life has created many DEI-related programs and events during fall semester, with an emphasis on financial aid education, health and wellness, study skills, spiritual life, gender equity and student success for Black, Latino, Native American, Asian American, LGBTQ and first-generation college students.
DEI leads report progress for all colleges, schools
President Christopher Callahan’s goals to improve social justice and diversity and to make University of the Pacific a model anti-racist institution will take the efforts of all members of the university community.
Music with purpose
A collective group of student leaders from Pacific music fraternities, student-run ensembles and the Conservatory of Music Student Senate came together to organize the first Black Lives Matter Solidarity Concerts to raise awareness and support arts in Black and minority communities.
Prominent alumni voices
National Football League Coach and Pacific alumnus Pete Carroll ’73 ’78 is clear about the racial and social justice issues facing the United States.
Law school’s strong pledge
McGeorge School of Law faculty unanimously passed a resolution declaring “unequivocally” that “Black Lives Matter” and that the law school will actively work “to become and remain an antiracist institution.”
Conservatory names lead for DEI
Fei-Lin Hsiao, associate professor and program director for music therapy, was named the assistant dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion for the Conservatory of Music.
Board of Regents
The Board of Regents has committed to focusing on these social justice initiatives:
- Increasing diversity in its membership.
- Exploring campus inclusion and racial bias at the university.
- Audits of university policies and practices that impact diversity, inclusion and racial equity.
- Reviewing the university’s history, policies and practices on social justice issues.
Fundraising for the new Lift Every Voice Endowed Scholarship for Black undergraduate students, led by Regents Chair Norman Allen, has surpassed $110,000, with the first recipients to be named in the fall.
The Regents Investment Committee has started research on how to include DEI issues into decision-making on the school’s investment portfolio and the Audit Committee has launched research on best practices at other universities.
Janet Rogers
Brian Miller
Gregory Boardman
Dea Berberian Spanos
