Access

NextProf Pathfinder is a collaboration between UC San Diego and the University of Michigan School of Engineering, NextProfPathfinder is a workshop intended to prepare PhD and Master’s students for successful careers in academia.

People

Karen Christman, PhD, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Welfare, Professor of Bioengineering

Highlights

• "Diversifying the Ranks of Future Faculty," Jacobs School of Engineering 

OAR^2 utilizes a collective impact approach through an advisory board comprised of student, faculty, and staff leaders to enhance processes for recruiting and retaining historically underrepresented students at UC San Diego, including students of color and women in STEM, and to provide opportunities for mentorship and research to a community of scholars. 

People

Angeline Yang, EdD, Director, OAR^2

Preparing Accomplished Transfers for Humanities (PATH) Program is a collaborative initiative between the School of Arts and Humanities at UC San Diego and the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD), the PATH Program supports transfer students and encourages their success on campus and after graduating through their summer academy and faculty connections programs.  

People

Alma Palazzolo, MPA, Assistant Dean, School of Arts and Humanities

Highlights

• A Mellon Foundation grant to Arts and Humanities and SDCCD provides expansion of the PATH Program to support existing and new opportunities for transfer students from historically disadvantaged communities and creates professional training programs for graduate students. 
• "Planting the Seeds for Transfer Student Success," UC San Diego Today

 

When evaluating a candidate for admission into a graduate program, admissions committees consider a variety of variables including academic, nonacademic, and contextual factors in the review process to identify students who are most likely to succeed. 

People  

April Bjornsen, Assistant Dean, Graduate Student Affairs and Admissions

 Highlights

• Department-level work such as the holistic graduate admission process at the new department of Astronomy and Astrophysics (Adam Burgasser, Professor, Physical Sciences).

The Scripps SCUBA DIVERsity Fellowship Program aims to recruit and retain outstanding undergraduate and graduate students to/within the field of scientific diving. The program is designed to remove barriers for students as they advance from learning to swim and dive, to becoming competent and confident Scientific Divers. To do so, the program provides funding for costs associated with swim lessons, swim and dive equipment, CPR/First Aid course(s), Open Water Diver certification, the Scripps Small Boating Course, and the annual Scientific Diver Fee.

People

Keiara Auzenne, MBA, JD, Director of Diversity Initiatives, Scripps

Highlights

• "New Fellowship Program Supports Diversity in Scientific Diving," UC San Diego Today

The Center for Empathy and Social Justice in Human Health (CESJHH) addresses health injustice with empathy and compassion through research, communication, and representation of marginalized communities in the STEM and healthcare profession pipeline. 

People

Gentry Patrick, PhD, Center Director, Professor

Leigh Eck, Center Strategist

Highlights

• The YOU Belong in STEM: San Diego local launch and mini summit occurred on April 18, 2023. This event aimed to lift up and leverage the efforts, brilliance, and lived expertise of diverse STEM ecosystem stakeholders across the region, and position San Diego as a model U.S. city for the community-wide, compassion-based catalyzation of increased equity and belonging in STEM education.   
• "Social Justice as Part of the Remedy for What Ails Us," UC San Diego Today

The PATHways to STEM through Enhanced Access and Mentorship (PATHS) Program is a four-year undergraduate scholarship and support program that provides students with access to mentorship, campus support, hands-on training opportunities, and more. 

People

Becky R. Petitt, PhD, Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Gentry Patrick, PhD, Professor, PATHS Program Creator and Faculty Director

Guadalupe Cruz, MA, PATHS Director

Daniel Cardenas, MEd, PATHS Assistant Director

Anh Mai, PATHS Program Manager

Highlights

• 77 students since 2018 in five cohorts 
• The PATHS program graduated its first cohort in 2022
• Moved to a new location in 2023
• $6.9 million grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to UC San Diego and other collaborating institutions

Initiatives

• Program in Medicine – Transforming Indigenous Doctor Education (PRIME-TIDE) prepares medical students for careers focused on providing healthcare to Native American communities through experiential training on specific healthcare needs, the cultural context in which that care is provided, and how medical research informs healthcare decisions. 
• Program for Underrepresented Medical Applicants (PUMA) aims to address the lack of diversity and inclusion within the medical field and the lack of support disadvantaged, underrepresented in medicine students may face when applying to medical school. Participants gain access to resources including mentorship opportunities, application preparation workshops, and more.
• Program for Underrepresented Minorities in Pharmacy (PUMP) aims to provide mentorship for future pharmacists who are committed to serving underrepresented communities with health disparities, e.g. Black/African American, Latinx, Native American/Alaska Native/First American, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Southeast Asian (Cambodian, Filipino, Hmong, Lao, Thai, Vietnamese), Refugees, and LGBTQIA.
• The Latinx Pre-Med Initiative, started through the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion’s Innovation Grant and currently sustained by the Office of the Dean for the School of Medicine, partners with the STEM HSI initiatives and the UC San Diego School of Medicine Hispanic Center of Excellence (HCOE) to address the shortage of Latinx physicians in California.  

Other Programs in Health Sciences creating pathways to an education and career in healthcare include: 

• Health Professions Exposure and Recruitment Program (HPREP) 
• Research Methodology Training Lab (RTML) 
• UniversityLink Medical Science Program (ULMSP) 
• Student National Medical Association (SNMA) Mentoring Project
• Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA)
• UCSD SOM Doc-4-A-Day 
• UC San Diego SSPPS Pharmacy Day
• California Native American Research Centers for Health Student Development Program (CA-NARCH SDP) 

Highlights

• PRIME-TIDE was launched in September 2022
• 12 Native American/Alaskan Native medical students were admitted in 2022, the highest in UC San Diego History; 4 of which enrolled in PRIME-TIDE 
• 12 admitted Native American/Alaskan Native medical students in 2023 
• UCSD is projected to have 20 Native American medical students and 1 Alaskan Native (Aluet) medical student by September 2023 
• PUMA initiative was launched in 2019 
• PUMP initiative was launched in 2020
• Latinx Pre-med Initiative had an inaugural cohort of ten Latinx premedical students in 2020, followed by two subsequent cohorts of ten students each in 2021 and 2022   

In collaboration with the San Diego Nursing & Allied Health Education Consortium, San Diego County Community Colleges and the Health Sciences High and Middle College, the program offers instruction to high school students to develop their understanding of the acute care environment. Students learn about their health care profession of interest, relationship-based care, health literacy and health care disparities, health care and technology, cultural competence, and more. 

People

Cabiria “Bea” Lizarraga, RN, Nurse Manager at UC San Diego Health

Gwendolyn McPherson, MSN, RN, Assistant Nurse Manager at UC San Diego Health

Highlights

• UC San Diego Health received $2.2 million in grant funding from the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) to develop a new student enrichment program that seeks to encourage high school students in underrepresented communities to pursue health care careers. 
• UC San Diego Health is the only health care institution in the region to be awarded funds, which will be distributed over the next five years. 
• In 2021, UC San Diego Health developed a similar program for community college students called the DREAM Externship, which was supported by an Innovation Grant from VC EDI.

A partnership of UC San Diego School of Medicine (School of Pediatrics, Center for Community Health), San Diego State University (SDSU), San Diego Border Area Health Education Center/Scripps Family Residency Program, nine Community Colleges, and nine high schools, the Consortium serves students from low socioeconomic backgrounds and underserved communities. It aims to develop a competitive applicant pool; recruit talented students for participation in academic enrichment and research training programs; and provide career awareness and exposure to community-based primary health care services 

People

Ramon Hernandez, DrPH, MPH, Project Director, HCOP

Highlights

• Successful best practice for other models like the CA Medicine Hub of Healthcare Opportunity serving eight community colleges in San Diego County and Imperial County. 

The UC San Diego FIRST Program aims to enhance inclusive excellence at UC San Diego by diversifying faculty in the areas of Cancer, Cardiovascular Sciences, Immunology/Infectious Diseases, and Neurosciences. The FIRST program is designed to provide effective, evidence-based professional development, as well as mentorship in research and career development, guidance in academic promotion, integration into the university, and access to networks of colleagues and communities of scholars.

People

Principal Investigators 

JoAnn Trejo, PhD, MBA, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Health Sciences Faculty Affairs

Elena Martinez, PhD, MPH, Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science

Co-investigators

Maripat Corr, MD, Professor of Medicine, School of Medicine

Vivian Reznik, MD, MPH, Professor of Pediatrics and Public Health, School of Medicine and the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science

Deborah Wingard, PhD, Professor of Public Health, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science

Sonia Jain, PhD, Professor of Public Health, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science

Executive Steering Committee:

Becky R. Petitt, PhD, Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Robert Continetti, PhD, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

John Carethers, MD, Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences

Corinne Peek-Asa, PhD, Vice Chancellor for Research

Theresa A. Maldonado, Ph.D., P.E., Vice President for Research & Innovation

Highlights 

• "UC San Diego Receives $16 Million NIH FIRST Award," UC San Diego Today

UC San Diego is committed to increasing diversity and inclusion in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) by promoting and celebrating the success of women in these historically male-dominated fields. Recent achievements to increase the representation of women in STEM demonstrate our progress. 

People

Lisa Jones, PhD, Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Tara Javidi, PhD, Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Claire Meaders, PhD, Assistant Teaching Professor in UC San Diego’s Division of Biological Sciences

Christine Alvarado, PhD, Associate Dean of the Division of Undergraduate Education, Teaching Professor, Computer Science and Engineering

Lia Siegelman, PhD, Assistant Professor of Geophysical Fluid Dynamics

Kimberly A. Prather, PhD, Distinguished Professor and Chair in AtmRommie Amaroospheric Chemistry

Rommie E. Amaro, PhD, Endowed Chair, Distinguished Professor in Theoretical and Computational Chemistry

Through the University of California Office of the President’s Advancing Faculty Diversity program and the support of Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla and Executive Vice Chancellor Elizabeth H. Simmons, we are building a more diverse faculty and inclusive climate for all by investing in three cluster hires aimed at recruiting and retaining faculty who are committed to ensuring the success of underrepresented students in all disciplines. 

AFD initiatives were successful at increasing the diversity of our hiring pools, with 46% of applicants identifying themselves as Black, Latinx, or Native American. 

Designing Just Futures Cluster Hire Initiative (2022) 

This cluster hire aims to recruit faculty whose innovative and interdisciplinary research exist at the intersections of design and social justice with an emphasis on Indigenous, Black, and migrant futures. 

People

Core Steering Committee: 

Nadir Weibel, PhD, Associate Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, Associate Faculty Director of the Design Lab, Lead Principal Investigator

Theresa Ambo, PhD, Assistant Professor of Education Studies, Co-Director of Indigenous Futures Institute

Keolu Fox, PhD, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Co-Director of Indigenous Futures Institute

K. Wayne Yang, PhD, Professor of Ethnic Studies, Provost of Muir College

MarDestinee Perez, MS, Director for the Center for Faculty Diversity and Inclusion

Steering Committee at Large: 

Angela Booker, PhD, Associate Professor of Communications, Provost Eighth College

Fonna Forman, JD, PhD, Professor of Political Science, Founding Director, UCSD Center on Global Justice

Amy Lerner, PhD, Associate Teaching Professor of Urban Studies and Planning

Truong Nguyen, PhD, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Victoria Petrovich, PhD, Professor of Theatre and Dance

George Porter, PhD, Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, Co-Director, Center for Networked Systems

Highlights

• "Twelve New Faculty to Be Hired to Design Just Futures," UC San Diego Today
  
• "Promoting Institutional Change Through Inclusive Cluster Hiring: Part 1," Inside Higher Ed
• "Promoting Institutional Change Through Inclusive Cluster Hiring: Part 2," Inside Higher Ed
  

Latinx Cluster Hire Initiative (2021) 

As we continue to pursue HSI designation, the Latinx Cluster Hire Initiative (LCHI) demonstrates our commitment to serving our Latinx student population by increasing our faculty who share and understand their identities. Through this initiative, we are prioritizing innovative and interdisciplinary research, culturally relevant curricula, and mentorship across campus.

People

Steering Committee: 

Luis Alvarez, PhD, Chair of History Department, Lead Principal Investigator

Marisa Abrajano, PhD, Professor of Political Science, Provost-Warren College

John (Jody) Blanco, PhD, Associate Professor of Literature, Director of Latin American Studies (LAS

Robert Castro, MFA, Professor of Theatre and Dance, Director of Chicanx and Latinx Studies (CLS)

Juan Pablo Pardo-Guerra, PhD, Associate Professor of Sociology, Associate Director of Latin American Studies Program

Daphne Taylor-Garcia, PhD, Associate Professor of Ethnic Studies

MarDestinee Perez, MS, Director for the Center for Faculty Diversity and Inclusion

Original Principal Investigators: 

Frances Contreras, PhD, Professor of Education Studies, Current Dean of UC Irvine School of Education

Luis Martin-Cabrera, PhD, Associate Professor of Latin American Studies

Faculty Recruited to Date: 

• Veronica Martinez-Matsuda, Associate Professor, History, Arts and Humanities 
• Ignacio Carvajal Regidor, Assistant Professor, Spanish and Comparative Literature, Literature, Arts and Humanities 
• Ana Maria Alvarez, Associate Professor, Dance, Theater and Dance, Arts and Humanities 
• Monika Gosin, Associate Professor, Latinx Studies, Ethnic Studies, Social Sciences 
• John Arroyo, Assistant Professor, Urban Studies and Planning, Social Sciences 
• Lorena Gomez Mostajo, Assistant Professor, Visual Arts, Arts and Humanities 
• Andrew Estrada Phuong, Assistant Professor, Education Studies, Social Sciences 
• Sara Kozameh, Assistant Professor, History, Arts and Humanities 

Strengthening STEM Research and Teaching for the Black/African American Diaspora Cluster Hire Initiative (2020)

Through this cluster hire, UC San Diego has welcomed new faculty whose research, scholarship, and pedagogy are enriching our STEM curriculum and advancing the Black Diaspora and African American Studies Major.   

People

Steering Committee: 

Thandeka Chapman, PhD, Professor of Education Studies, Director of African American Studies Minor

Makeba Jones, PhD, Associate Teaching Professor of Education, Committee Chair

Linda Awdishu, PharmD, MAS, Professor and Chair of Clinical Pharmacy

Ivan Evans, PhD, Professor of Sociology, Provost of Eleanor Roosevelt College

 Other Members: 

Maria Rosario (Happy) Araneta, PhD, MPH, Professor of Epidemiology, Family Medicine and Public Health, Associate Dean of Diversity and Community Partnerships

Keiara Auzenne, MBA, JD, Scripps Institute for Oceanography Director of Diversity Initiatives

Eduardo Macagno, PhD, Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology

Gentry Patrick, PhD, Professor and Chair of Neurobiology, Director, Center for Empathy and Social Justice in Human Health

MarDestinee Perez, MS, Director of the Center for Faculty Diversity and Inclusion

Original Principal Investigator: 

Frances Contreras, PhD, Professor of Education Studies, Current Dean of UC Irvine School of Education

Faculty Recruited to Date: 

• Hiruy Meharena, PhD, Assistant Professor, Neurobiology and Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences 
• Chadwick Campbell, PhD, Assistant Professor, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, Health Sciences 
• Mamadou Diagne, PhD, Assistant Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Jacobs School of Engineering 
• Imani N.S. Munyaka, PhD, Assistant Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, Jacobs School of Engineering 
• John Sous, PhD, Assistant Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Physical Sciences 
• Lisa Jones, PhD, Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Physical Sciences 
• Jacinda Abdul-Mutakabbir, PharmD, Assistant Professor, Clinical Pharmacy, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences 
• Audra Meadows, MD, MPH, Associate Professor, Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, Health Sciences 

The BAEI aims to transform the presence and experience of Black students, faculty, and staff at UC San Diego through a variety of efforts including increased enrollment of Black undergraduate and graduate students; persistence and graduation rates; academic and co-curricular supports emphasizing the Black experience; improved retention for all groups; and an increased presence of Black faculty and staff across campus.   

People

Ivan Evans, PhD, Co-chair of BAEI Advisory Committee

Makeba Jones, PhD, Co-chair of BAEI Advisory Committee

John Rawlins III, MA, Co-chair of Implementation Work Group

K. Wayne Yang, PhD, Co-chair of Implementation Work Group

Programs and Initiatives Supporting Black Excellence at UC San Diego include: 

Enhancing the Black Student Experience (EBSE) Symposium

A week-long symposium designed to increase awareness of the Black student experience at UC San Diego in an effort to foster intentional and sustained action to enhance this experience and promote pro-Blackness on campus. 

People 

Current Chairs: 

John Rawlins III, MA, Director, Black Resource Center

Mya Hines, EdD, Senior Academic Advisor, John Muir College

Breanna Clark, MEd, Graduate and Professional Student Association Advisor

Highlights

• First held in 2021, the EBSE is now an annual VC EDI and VCSA collaborative symposium. 

 National Panhellenic Plaza

A partnership between VC SA and VC EDI, the first National Panhellenic Plaza in the UC system will serve as a site of place-making, community, celebration, pride, joy, and visibility for our Black student community, contributing to sense of belonging, engagement, connection, retention, and success. 

People 

Becky R. Petitt, PhD, Vice Chancellor, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Alysson Satterlund, PhD, Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs

Alfredo Barcenas, Director of Student Governments, Auxiliaries and Services

John Hughes, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs Resource Management

Emily Marx Trask, PhD Executive Director, Center for Student Involvement

Patty Mahaffey, EdD, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Student Life

Marina Mantos, MA, Associate Director, Sorority and Fraternity Life

Malik Sampson, Sorority and Fraternity Life Advisor and Program Manager, National Pan-Hellenic Council and Interfraternity Council

John Rawlins III, MA, Director, Black Resource Center

Fnann R Keflezighi, MA, Director, Cross Cultural Center

Highlights

• Hired NPHC Program Manager at the Center for Student Involvement 

Black Graduate Experience Living Learning Community

The Black Graduate Experience LLC (BGELLC) is an optional, residential community open to all. It is designed to foster graduate scholarship, excellence, and achievement through meaningful programming that emphasizes the Black experience.  

People 

Hemlata Jhaveri, PhD, Associate Vice Chancellor of Housing, Dining & Hospitality

James Crawford, MA, BGELLC Community Liaison

Marisol "Dottie" Dothard, MA, BGELLC Community Liaison

Matthew Ford, BGELLC Community Liaison

Highlights

• First Black Graduate Living Learning Community at UC San Diego, was created as a result of senior administrators' regular engagement with Black Graduate and Professional Student Association and Black Student Union leadership. 

Blacktronika at UC San Diego

“Blacktronika: Afrofuturism in Electronic Music” is an online music course created by Professor King Britt to honor the innovators of color whose contributions have advanced electronic music globally. Using a lens that incorporates elements of science fiction, technology, and the African diaspora, the course recognizes the musicians who shaped the genre.  

People    

King Britt, Assistant Teaching Professor

 

Highlights

• Blacktronika Music Festival launched from Professor Britt’s music course and hosted in person for the first time at UC San Diego Epstein Amphitheater in 2022. 
• "In King Britt's Blacktronika Class, Electronic Music Legends Become Educators," Resident Advisor
• "Blacktronika: Where I Stand Festival," San Diego Magazine

The Latinx/Chicanx Academic Excellence Initiative is designed to ensure that California’s fastest growing student population feels welcome, supported, and able to thrive at UC San Diego. This means attracting and supporting a diverse faculty, staff, and student community—making UC San Diego a place where generations rise. 

People

Frank Silva, Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief of Staff, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Frances Contreras, PhD, Professor of Education Studies, Current Dean of UC Irvine School of Education

Gerardo Arellano, PhD, Raza Resource Center Director, HSI Initiatives Executive Director

Maruth Figueroa, EdD, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs, Student Retention and Success

Highlights

• "Welcoming California’s Fastest Growing Population," UC San Diego Today
   

Programs and Initiatives that Support LAEI: 

HSI Summit 

UC San Diego convened a virtual HSI Summit in collaboration with campus partners including academic leaders, faculty, staff, and students to advance collective impact across campus toward transforming UC San Diego into a student-centered university in service to our Latinx/Chicanx students. 

Highlights

• Initiative: Hispanic-Serving Institution 
• "Becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution," UC San Diego Today

Mi Universidad 

Mi Universidad is a culturally focused, bilingual outreach program that provides education in both English and Spanish with key foundations including culture and identity. The program is made possible through the collective efforts of the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (VC EDI), Office for Student Affairs (VC SA), Enrollment Management, Extended Studies, the Hispanic Serving-Institution Latinx/Chicanx Academic Excellence Initiative Work Group, UCTV, CREATE, EAOP, TRIO, Univision, Raza Resource Centro, Undocumented Student Services, University Communications, Chicano/Latino Studies, Latin American Studies and community partners including the Parent Institute for Quality Education, Sweetwater Unified School District, and Imperial School District. 

Highlights

• "Binational Community Conversations Shape New ‘Mi Universidad’ Program," UC San Diego Today
  
• UC San Diego provides a look at college-going from the perspectives of Latinx/Chicanx students, alumni, and parents. UC TV Mi Universidad College Going Channel

Community Partnerships 

Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE)

UC San Diego partnered with the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE), which helps families ensure children achieve their full potential through post-secondary education, to exchange ideas, pool resources, and work collaboratively in the name of Latinx student success. A pilot program, Conexiones Familiar, was developed to cultivate servingness by integrating cultural values into UC San Diego’s services. 

Highlights

• Investing in Latinx Potential
• "Family Comes First in New Latinx/Chicanx College Prep Program," UC San Diego Today
  

Univision 

In 2020, in conjunction with Entravision—the parent company of Spanish-language television network Univision—UC San Diego launched a comprehensive awareness campaign to reach San Diego’s Latinx/Chicanx communities in collaboration with University Communications. It featured faculty, staff, students, and alumni as guests on local Spanish-language television and radio stations to discuss topics including access, financial aid, academic success, and more. It also includes an admissions website in Spanish, admissions.ucsd.edu/español.    

Highlights

• "Campus Reaches Out to Spanish Language Community," UC San Diego Today
• Noticias Ya, Univision

To expand efforts to address the unique needs of UC San Diego’s Asian American and Pacific Islander students, UC San Diego has become designated as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving-Institution (AANAPISI). 

People 

Becky R. Petitt, PhD, Vice Chancellor, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Windi Sasaki, MA, Associate Director, Asian Pacific Islander Middle Eastern Desi American (APIMEDA) Programs and Services

Brian Crie, MA, Programs and Operations Coordinator

AANAPISI Task Force 

Highlights

• "Enhancing the Experience of Diverse Asian American and Pacific Islander Students," UC San Diego Today
• New APIMEDA Center to be established at UC San Diego 
• Expanded APIMEDA Programs and Services staff 
• Expanded APIMEDA physical space 

Programs and Initiatives that Support AANAPISI

Symposium on Enhancing the Experiences of Students of Asian, Pacific Islander, and Middle Eastern Descent 

Sponsored by Student Affairs under the leadership Vice Chancellor Alysson Satterlund in partnership with VC EDI, the Symposium is a multi-day learning opportunity designed to increase awareness of the experiences of students of Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, and Asian descent at UC San Diego. It fosters intentional and sustained action to enhance their experience, promote student success and well-being, and demonstrate an understanding of their diverse experiences.

Summer Lunch and Learn Program 

APIMEDA Programs and Services hosts a summer reading series to expand knowledge on the ways in which participants may continue to serve APIMEDA students at UC San Diego. 

Native American and Indigenous Studies Minor Program

The Native American and Indigenous Studies program offers an introduction to the histories and cultures of Native American and Indigenous communities in the United States with comparative examples from international Indigenous communities. 

People

Andrew Jolivétte, PhD, Chair of UC San Diego’s Department of Ethnic Studies and Director of NAIS program

Highlights

• New minor and doctoral certificate in Native American Studies 

Indigenous Futures Institute

The Indigenous Futures Institute (IFI) is a community-driven and interdisciplinary project that aims to highlight the work of Indigenous activists, scholars, artists, and more across a variety of disciplines.  

People  

Theresa Ambo, PhD, Assistant Professor, Principal Investigator, Indigenous Futures Institute

Keolu Fox, PhD, Assistant Professor, Principal Investigator, Indigenous Futures Institute

Sarah Aarons, PhD, Assistant Professor, Principal Investigator, Indigenous Futures Institute

K. Wayne Yang, PhD, Provost, John Muir College, Principal Investigator, Indigenous Futures Institute

Highlights

• "UC San Diego’s Indigenous Futures Institute Receives $400K Grant from Lumina Foundation," UC San Diego Today

Native American Opportunity Plan 

As of Fall 2022, the University of California waives tuition and fees for Native American students who are state residents and members of federally recognized tribes aligned with the Native American Opportunity Plan. This initiative complements our existing Chancellor's Associates Scholarship Program (CASP). 

Highlights

• "UC announces Native American Opportunity Plan," UC News
• UCSD Native American Opportunity Plan Informational Webinar

Dream the Impossible Native Youth Conference

The Dream the Impossible Native Youth Conference was started in 2007 by several Southern California Tribes in partnership with organizations such as the California Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program, to provide youth with access to college campuses and resources to achieve their educational goals. 

People  

Corrine Hensley-Dellefield, MA, Assistant Director, Intertribal Resource Center

Highlights

• UC San Diego hosted the Dream the Impossible Native Youth Conference in 2023, welcoming over 100 middle and high school Native American youth to learn about college readiness. 
• "Native Youth Inspired to 'Dream the Impossible,'" UC San Diego Today

Park & Market is a venue in the heart of downtown San Diego designed to bring the campus and the larger San Diego community together to innovate, collaborate, and exchange ideas.  

People

Mary Walshok, PhD, Retired Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Programs, Dean, Extension

Hugo Villar, PhD, MBA, Dean, Extended Studies

Ed Abeyta, PhD, Associate Dean, Community Engagement and Director, Pre-Collegiate and Career Preparations Programs

Morgan Appel, PhD, Assistant Dean for Education and Community Outreach

Recent Events 

• El Festival de Frida y Diego: Lecture with Gregorio Luke – “Frida and Diego: An Artistic Marriage” 
• Intersections at Park & Market Series (Samir Chatterjee Trio, Gilbert Castellanos Quintet, Chaldean to Classical Through the Lens of Luay Yousif & Fred Benedetti, Beyond the Blues with Mamie Minch and Mara Kaye, Yale Strom and Hot Pstromi) 
• “Designers for Peace” at Park & Market in partnership with AIGA San Diego Tijuana 
• Return of the VC EDI Speaker Series in 2023: Dr. Bettina L. Love: "We Gon’ Be Alright, But That Ain’t Alright: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom" 
• World Design Capital 2024 Signing Ceremony – Tijuana-San Diego Region 
• Mi Universidad Launch 
• Juneteenth Celebration 

Highlights

• "UC San Diego’s New Downtown Hub Park & Market Opens to the Public," UC San Diego Today
• "Collaboration, Creative Partnerships Thrive at UC San Diego Park & Market," UC San Diego Today

The Office of Diversity and Community Partnerships supports innovative programs that encourage students as early as middle school to develop academic, clinical, scholarly, and advocacy skills.

People

Maria Rosario (Happy) Araneta, PhD, MPH, Assistant Dean of Diversity and Community Partnerships

Emanuel (Manny) Keiler, Creator of Fade Hypertension Program, UC San Diego MD 2022

Daniel Masillon, Student, School of Medicine, Volunteer for Health Frontiers in Tijuana

 

Highlights

• Recent programs include the Fade Hypertension Program, a community service-learning opportunity to offer blood pressure screening and cardiovascular health education in Black-owned barbershops, as well as Health Frontiers in Tijuana, which provides accessible, quality healthcare in Tijuana's Zona Norte.