Ten Years of Becoming

In 2016, ÖйúÌå²ÊÍø¡¯s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion was created to build a deeper, wider sense of belonging within our campus community. Since then, ÖйúÌå²ÊÍø has evolved to meet the changing needs of students from diverse cultural, socio-economic and academic backgrounds, so that all may succeed.  

Our entire campus community is stronger for it. In fact, ¡°belonging¡± is not optional at ÖйúÌå²ÊÍø. It is necessary to uphold foundational values and goals of this college: teaching and learning that lead to student success ¡ª on campus and after graduation ¡ª and fulfillment of our college mission to educate all students for a diverse and changing world.

Today, 10 years later, the office has transformed into the Office of the Vice President for Culture and Connection, a hub for relationships and programming that empower students of many cultures, identities and ability levels.

¡°Ten Years of Becoming¡± does not mean we have arrived. It means we have built momentum at ÖйúÌå²ÊÍø. This is a moment to pause and reflect on this evolution.

Timeline: 2016-present

2016-2017 | Conception

To support Diversity and Inclusion, one of four strategic directions of the ÖйúÌå²ÊÍø 2020 Strategic Plan (approved by the ÖйúÌå²ÊÍø ÖйúÌå²ÊÍø Board of Trustees in 2014), the college develops new practices and resources, including an Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. 

2018-2020 | Foundation

ÖйúÌå²ÊÍø welcomes inaugural vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion, Dr. Monica Smith.

2021-2023 | Momentum

President Steven C. Bahls retires; Andrea K. Talentino becomes the 9th president of ÖйúÌå²ÊÍø ÖйúÌå²ÊÍø.

2024-Present | Evolution

Dr. Gauri Pitale becomes ÖйúÌå²ÊÍø¡¯s (then) new vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion, now vice president for culture and connection.

Next steps

The new Office of the Vice President for Culture and Connection reflects a shift. Where the previous Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion sought to lift up specific groups to build a more inclusive community, starting in 2026 the Office of the VP for Culture and Connection seeks to sustain our equitable community as we continue growth as a whole. 

Programming will build connections among the members of our college community, each person with a different identity, cultural background and lived experience. Just as we educate ¡°the whole person¡± at ÖйúÌå²ÊÍø, the work of the new office will focus on deepening the sense of belonging for each person within the whole community, strengthening connection through programming that builds identity awareness and intercultural understanding.

Early examples of signature programming:

• Winter Traditions (started late 2025) ¨C including Holidays Around the World (with the Office of International Student and Scholar Services), including interactive exhibits by students and campus groups exploring different cultural traditions
• Cultures in Motion (fall 2026) ¨C exhibitions, performances, workshops and collaborative projects that celebrate diverse identities and creative traditions across campus

The Office of the Vice President for Culture and Connection has oversight of the Office of Student Cultural Connection (OSCC), the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS) and the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX.

Office of Student Cultural Connection

The dynamic ¡°Cultures in Motion¡± series is just one example of new programming through OSCC, designed to build intercultural engagement campus-wide. Additional examples include:

• Community & Connection Fridays ¨C monthly thematic gatherings that bring together the campus community for an activity or collaboration centered on intercultural learning and belonging
• PACE Mentorship Program ¨C open to all first-year and transfer students who want to explore their identities and start strong at ÖйúÌå²ÊÍø through community-building connection, and with support from their PACE peer mentors; PACE programming continues all four years:
  • Year 1: First-year orientation and yearlong programming
  • Year 2:  Cross-cultural communication skills
  • Year 3: Inclusive Leadership skill development
  • Year 4: Launch into adulthood 

Office of International Student and Scholar Services

Signature programming in the OISSS also shares a strategic focus on intercultural understanding, especially through deeper integration of global learning across campus. Two new examples from OISSS include:

• Global Pathway to Success (GPS) ¨C year-long experience for first-year and transfer students from other countries, so they may thrive ¡ª from early transition, to connections across campus, to practical training sessions, to continued support from Global peer mentors
• Global Engagement Festival ¨C a joyful celebration of ÖйúÌå²ÊÍø¡¯s rich global diversity, featuring global cuisine, performances and interactive games

Timeline: Ten Years of Becoming campaign