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Find your community at the Center for Identity and Inclusion 

Pacific’s Center for Identity and Inclusion (CII) was created as part of the university’s ongoing DEI initiative to give all students a sense of belonging, especially students from overseas and the LGBTQ community. According to Mario Enriquez, director of the Center for Identity and Inclusion, it is a great place to learn about yourself as well as other communities. 

“The Center for Identity and Inclusion is a home away from home. It’s a place where students can come together with staff, faculty and alumni to really build coalitions, to understand our different identities, where we come from and really homing in on that and celebrate the rich diversity here at Pacific,” said Enriquez. 

The CII was created in 2022 and was originally called the multicultural center, CII’s leadership believed the space should be renamed to lean into student identity so that it can be a place for learning, not just about yourself but also your community. 

“I like coming because I get to learn many new things, and I like to make new connections,” said computer science major, Shounak Palnitkar ’25 

Students can bring creative ideas for activities, learn what’s happening outside of campus and become more involved in social justice and the Stockton community. Students can get involved or get help from staff any time they visit. 

“I enjoy coming here because it’s a welcoming place to study and just chill out and relax,” said health studies major, Lilamae Young ’25. “Team members that are part of it have given me great advice and they’ve helped support, like getting certain resources that I needed.” 

The CII is located on the lower floor of the McCaffrey Center and is home to El Centro, a space for Latinx students; the LGBTQ+ Resource Center; Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi Student Services; Black Student Services and a lactation lounge.  

The CII also offers a central lounge area for students to hang out and host meetings. A mural painted by local artist Alex Suelto, stretches across the main wall and serves as a visual representation of the center’s mission to foster an inclusive environment. The mural features a variety of birds from around the world symbolizing different cultures.  

“Whether you’re black, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American and/or LGBTQ, there is a place for you on this campus,” said Enriquez. “We offer the opportunity to start a club, study, hang out, build community and really be a good advocate as a campus leader.” Enriquez believes the student-led activities at the center foster a sense of independence for each student.   

“We want to expose our students to what’s happening beyond our campus because that’s how you become more civically engaged,” he said. “I think that’s something that we really pride ourselves as a space to really build that coalition together.”  

There is a range of programs students can engage in throughout the year such as the Brotherhood Exchange for Men of Color and the Women’s Collective Group.  

The center also holds history heritage months, including Women’s History month in March, Black History month in February and Latinx history month in September. Everyone on campus is invited to celebrate. 

Learn more about the Center for Identity and Inclusion 

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