Update on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Efforts at Saint Mary’s

Dear Saint Mary’s Community,

With the new school year underway, we are reminded daily of the wonderful sense of togetherness that creates our Saint Mary’s community. We are strengthened by the diversity in our community, as each of us contributes different experiences, perspectives, gifts, and talents. All are welcome, and together we will achieve more.

Given the importance of our commitment to equity, my desire that there be sustained and strong attention paid to issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and that these efforts be aligned strongly with our mission and values, I have asked Frances Sweeney, ’86, PhD, Vice President for Mission, to oversee the College’s DEI efforts. Frances will convene a committee to oversee a national search for a Senior Diversity Officer. In the interim, I have invited Dr. James Johnson and Dr. María Luisa Ruíz to serve as co-Senior Diversity Officers, and Dr. Jennifer Pigza to chair the College Committee on Inclusive Excellence.

Frances has been a dedicated advocate for equity efforts on campus and across the Lasallian network, most notably by supporting the College Committee on Inclusive Excellence (CCIE) and helping develop two CCIE subcommittees, the Afro-Latinex/Latinex/Indigenous Peoples Action Subcommittee (ALLIPAS) and the Committee for Interfaith and Religious Learning, Cooperation and Engagement (CIRCLE). Frances has also worked to develop a strong collaboration among mission and senior diversity officers for the Lasallian colleges and universities in the United States, and led the launch of a summer institute for Lasallian Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging for all Lasallian educators in the United States. 

James, María Luisa, and Jennifer have also spent large parts of their distinguished careers as champions for equity. James has dedicated his career to examining the intersections between race, class, sexuality, and technology. María Luisa has served the College in a number of roles focused on issues of DEI, including her posts as Director of Global and Regional Studies and Director of the Institute for Latino and Latin American Studies (ILaLS). Jennifer has focused her career around a belief that social justice is both an outcome and a process, and she has served the College as Director of the Catholic Institute for Lasallian Social Action (CILSA). This team of four highly qualified and committed colleagues will help to ensure that the critical work led by Dr. Kathy Littles and Dr. Evette Castillo Clark continues. 

James, María, and Jennifer bring a variety of experience and institutional knowledge across many areas of our college. 

This DEI leadership team has identified key projects for the year:  

• A restructured DEI budget and organizational structure; 
• Support for the CCIE and its six affinity committees;
• Development of a DEI action plan grounded in the results of the Campus Climate Survey and aligned with the institutional strategic plan;
• Renewed attention to key campus processes for ensuring equity, such as BIRT and GUIDE training; and 
• Involvement in key academic initiatives such as faculty workload policy and hiring structures.  

I encourage you to participate in these many initiatives and join me in thanking Frances, James, Maria and Jennifer for their leadership and commitment to advancing these key projects so that all students, staff, and faculty truly feel they belong and are valued as contributing members of our educational community.

Best regards,

Richard Plumb, PhD
President