Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Mission Statement
Saint Mary’s College is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and learning environment where systems of oppression and exclusion are actively opposed and dismantled. We believe diversity is one of our greatest strengths; we broadly define diversity to include race, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, sex, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, immigration status, physical appearance, religion, age, military status, and socioeconomic status. However, we recognize that diversity without equity is neither sustainable nor morally just. The College commits to creating a safe, respectful, and equitable environment for all community members and does not condone discriminatory or disrespectful behavior, policies, or practices. Saint Mary’s, as a college community, works to actively interrupt and transform systems of oppression, including but not limited to white supremacy, xenophobia, ableism, patriarchy, homophobia, transphobia, religious intolerance, and economic inequality, recognizing that these systems manifest at multiple levels - systemic, institutional, ideological, interpersonal, and internalized. We work together to mitigate the impacts of these systems and to build an emotionally supportive community where students, faculty, and staff feel seen and valued and can flourish as their full, authentic selves. We strive to act upon our Lasallian value of ‘Respect for all People’ in our everyday actions, through continuous individual self-inquiry and improvement, and through regular reviews of our policies, procedures, and systems.
Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) Staff
Terri Jett
Senior Diversity Officer
pronouns: she/her(s)
email: trj@stmarys-ca.edu
María Luisa Ruiz
Senior Academic Diversity Officer
pronouns: she/her(s); yo, ella(s)
email: mlruiz@stmarys-ca.edu
Jennifer Heung
Special Advisor of ODEI
pronouns: she/her(s)
email: jheung@stmarys-ca.edu
Nash Anderson
ODEI Graduate Intern/Assistant
pronouns: he/him/his
email: nra6@stmarys-ca.edu
Zaniyyah Johnson
ODEI Student Ambassador
pronouns: she/her(s)
email: znj1@stmarys-ca.edu
Angelica Gilberto-Barrera
ODEI Student Ambassador
pronouns: she/her(s)
email: ag107@stmarys-ca.edu
Daniela Rojas-Romero
HSI Apprentice
pronouns: she/her(s)
email: dir3@stmarys-ca.edu