"Faith is taking the first step when you can’t see the whole staircase.”  

–Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in a speech for the centennial of the Emancipation Proclamation, New York, Sept. 12, 1962

Dear Pacificans,

As we continue our studies and work following the observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we are reminded that the freedoms and opportunities experienced by many today were neither inevitable nor accidental. They are the result of sustained public advocacy, moral leadership and policy change that challenged institutions—including higher education—to expand who belongs and how opportunity is made accessible.

Dr. King’s legacy wasn’t confined to speeches or symbolism. His leadership helped shape landmark public policies, from civil rights and voting protections, to fair employment and educational access, that continue to influence how institutions understand equity, accountability and human dignity. What we now describe as diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is deeply rooted in that legacy: the conviction that dignity must be safeguarded through systems and structures, not just intentions. 

That legacy feels especially poignant at this moment. Across the country, we are witnessing the dismantling of DEI infrastructures, intensified immigration enforcement, and rising social tensions that too often erupt into harm and loss of life. These realities challenge us to reflect—carefully and courageously—on who we are, what we value and how we show up for one another during moments of uncertainty and division.

At University of the Pacific, we are clear about where we stand. Rooted in our mission and guided by shared values, the Pacific Community is staying the course—on our campuses and around the world.

Diversity, equity and inclusion are not peripheral to academic excellence or student success—they are central to both. They reflect our commitment to fairness, opportunity, and human dignity, shaping how we teach, learn, work and live together as a community. This work is lawful, principled and deeply aligned with Pacific’s long-standing tradition of preparing students for responsible leadership in their professions and communities.

At Pacific, DEI is not the work of a single office or a small group, it is a shared responsibility. Through our shared equity leadership model, faculty, staff, administrators and students across all three campuses contribute to inclusive learning environments, equitable workplace practices and cultures of belonging. Equity is not an add-on—it is embedded in the structures, relationships, and daily practices that shape campus life.

Even as the external landscape shifts through changes in policy, accreditation, or public discourse, our commitment remains steady. We will continue to invest in education, dialogue, and evidence-informed practices that support student success, academic freedom and institutional integrity.

I explored these themes more deeply in a recent op-ed published in the San Francisco Chronicle, reflecting on what it means to uphold belonging and dignity in this moment. I invite you to read it here.

Looking Ahead: Spring and Summer Engagements

As we begin the spring semester, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is continuing to support Pacificans through educational opportunities, community engagement, and collaborative initiatives designed to strengthen belonging and shared leadership across our campuses, including:

• 5th Annual DEI Leadership Retreat
• DEI Common Read Book Club — "Peril and Promise"
• Intergroup Dialogue
• Summer Equity Series

We also offer two self-directed online courses designed to build awareness, compassion, and engagement toward equity and social justice:

• Anti-Racism Challenge
• The Pacific Challenge: Cultivating Leaders for Belonging, Change, and Inclusion 

Learn more about these programs and our full range of services on our website: pacific.edu/about-pacific/diversity/services

Belonging sits at the heart of this work. It is the assurance that each member of our community is valued, respected, and able to contribute fully. Belonging does not happen by accident. It is cultivated through intentional teaching, inclusive leadership, open dialogue, and care for one another, particularly during times of tension and uncertainty.

I am deeply grateful to the students, faculty, staff and alumni around the world who live these values every day—through mentoring and teaching, research and service, leadership and learning, and the countless other ways you show up for one another. Your commitment makes Pacific a place where excellence and humanity are inseparable.

As we move forward from Dr. King’s legacy and into the months ahead, I invite each of us to continue asking:

• How do our attitudes and behaviors reflect our values?
• How do we build systems that widen opportunity rather than narrow it?
• How do we ensure belonging is not aspirational, but lived? 

Our work is meaningful. Our work is necessary. And we will continue to stay the course, together.

With gratitude and resolve,
 

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