The Anti-Racism Project is rooted in our Catholic, Jesuit, and Marymount identity and university mission, where we regard and treat each other with respect, recognizing the inherent dignity and immutable humanity of all peoples, made in the image of God. We are called to be persons for and with others, acting out of our faith—inclusive of our varied religious traditions and worldviews—towards social justice for all.
Overview of The Anti-Racism Project (Emelyn dela Peña, VP for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion)
Details in Cabinet Corner; September 8, 2020
LMU’s Anti-Racism Project invites and challenges members of the LMU community to engage in a collective commitment to anti-racism at multiple levels (e.g., institution-wide, unit-level, individual) and through different modalities (e.g., dialogue, workshops, reading, personal and communal reflection, prayer, examination of data, etc.). Anti-racism presents each of us with particular personal challenges, given our various cultural realities, social positions, religious traditions/personal worldviews, and lived experiences. Each of us is responsible for growing into anti-racism from where we are. Moving towards anti-racism as an institution, however, means that we commit to using our varied roles, training, experiences and perspectives to identify systemic issues, problem-solve, and hold our units accountable as we implement solutions and move our institution forward in a lifelong process of learning.
Year 1 Outcomes and Progress
Overview the LMU Anti-Racism Project and see what steps units and individuals across campus have been taking to transform our structures and systems for a more equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist LMU.
Black Students, Staff and Faculty Speak Out
#BlackatLMU, August 2020
Black LMU Student Demands
Actions Beyond Words: BFSA
The Black Faculty and Staff Association's Response and Challenge to the President
LMU Student Melanie An ('23)
Film & Production (SFTV)
Digital Storytelling Project
Taking a look at how the Black Lives Matter movement has impacted education and curriculum at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles
Presidential Commitments
Letters from President Snyder:
- Speaking Up and Taking Action - June 1, 2020
- Beyond Words - June 16, 2020
- Reaffirming Our Commitment to Dreamers - June 18, 2020
- Welcome Back, Lions - September 1, 2020
- Acknowledgment of Understanding and Commitment - September 4, 2020
Three Commitments to Anti-Racism, Outlined in Beyond Words
HIRING
“We will increase the diversity and inclusiveness of our LMU community and commit resources to do so.”
CLIMATE AND CULTURE
“We will ensure that our organizational climate and culture are anti-racist, equitable, and inclusive, with particular attention to anti-Black racism.”
EDUCATION
“An LMU education must be unequivocally inclusive and anti-racist.”
Levels of Engagement
| HIRING |
InstitutionalShared Vision and Campus Awareness |
Develop shared vision for initiative that is grounded in mission and overarching goals Establish common language and use of terms Educate on big picture to increase campus awareness and investment |
|---|---|---|
|
CLIMATE & CULTURE |
Unit-SpecificEmpowerment and Capacity Building |
Empower participation and ownership by units Translate vision into deliverables that make sense and are meaningful to units Identify measurable action steps that facilitate transparency and accountability |
|
EDUCATION |
IndividualPersonal Growth and Professional Development |
Invite individuals to engage in deeper work of unlearning racism Promote personal growth and connection with others Connect personal learning to professional activities |
Register for an Implicit Bias Workshop
LMU’s Implicit Bias Initiative, which launched in October 2016, remains an important focus for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Our IB workshops help administrators, faculty, staff, and students achieve bias literacy; encourage administrators, faculty, staff, and students to use their new knowledge by engaging in intentional behavioral changes that reduce the activation and application of implicit bias; and supports a change in cultural norms across all components of LMU’s environment.
Individuals can contribute to a culture and climate of inclusive excellence by attending a workshop. Contact Joseph.Bernardo@lmu.edu to request a workshop for your team or for more information on upcoming workshops.
Cultural Consciousness Conversations
Cultural Consciousness Conversations is a project of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in collaboration with Ethnic & Intercultural Services. This cohort of faculty, staff, and administrators from various divisions around campus get together once a month to share stories, learn from one another, examine societal norms and cultural differences, and deepen connections across all sectors of the LMU community. The aim of this project is to cultivate intergroup relations, including campus conversations and dialogues around difference.
Other Resources for Individuals
- Faculty and Staff Affinity & Networking Groups are always open to new participants
- Explore services offered by Mission & Ministry
- The Center for Teaching Excellence provides a library of resources, semesterly workshops, and other programming related to professional development and improving pedagogy
- STUDENTS: Explore the Virtual EXP Hub for resources related to service, justice, and engaging in the community through our current online environment
Academic and Staff Units
Systemic Analysis
As we move into a new academic year, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion continues to develop resources, support, and programming that can help facilitate our university’s efforts to address systemic racism in concrete ways.
How do we proceed with addressing systemic racism?
An internally focused systemic analysis is the first step. The point of this process is to consider how obstacles are “baked” into our systems and structures for the students we are trying to serve. In doing so, we flip our perspective from asking “how do we change students to better meet the challenges of an LMU education?” to “how do we change our institutional structures and processes to be more equitable, responsive, and inclusive in meeting the needs of all our students?”
CURes: Restorative Justice Project
The vision of the LMU Center for Urban Resilience (CURes) Restorative Justice Project (RJ Project) is to impact systemic education reform and transform social structures towards a more just society. Aligning with LMU’s mission and its commitment to anti-racism, Restorative Justice Practices are based on principles that emphasize how positive relationships are central to building community and involve processes that restore communities when harm occurs. The RJ Project offers culturally grounded ways to address conflict through restorative practices trainings, Restorative Conferencing facilitation services, and opportunities to collaborate. For instance, LMU Restore in Student Affairs works in partnership with the RJ Project for staff training as well as for utilizing Restorative Justice Practices to respond to violations of the Student Conduct Code.
RESTORATIVE PRACTICES TRAINING
Restorative Practices (RP) is a philosophy that aims to provide communities with safe, inclusive, and effective tools to develop healthy relationships. RP also helps teach Social Emotional Learning (SEL) skills such as understanding and managing emotions, exhibiting empathy, and establishing and maintaining positive relationships. The RJ Project provides trainings to equip participants to implement RP in their own divisions.
The RJ Project offers RP training components including:
- Campus Environment Assessment
- Implementation
- Restorative Language Integration
- Community Building Circles Facilitation
- Responding to Critical Matters Facilitation
- Skill-building and Coaching
- Program Evaluation
RESTORATIVE CONFERENCING FACILITATION SERVICES
When conflict occurs, Restorative Conferences can help hold responsible parties accountable for their actions. A trained, impartial facilitator invites affected parties and their supporters to discuss:
- What happened?
- How has everyone been affected?
- What can be done to repair the harm?
Restorative Conferences provide a collective discovery process whereby underlying problems can be addressed and potentially help participants connect with much needed resources. If you are experiencing a conflict at an individual level or trying to figure out how to address a group issue, the RJ Project and LMU Restore stand ready to engage with you, including specific capacity building for your department or area.
For more information, please contact:
- Schoene Mahmood
Program Manager
Restorative Justice Project
Center for Urban Resilience
Schoene.Mahmood@lmu.edu - Julia Wade
Associate Director for Restorative Practices
Office of Student Conduct and Community Responsibility
Student Affairs
Julia.Wade@lmu.edu
Campus-wide
DEI Committees Across Sectors
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The Presidential Black Leadership Advisory Council (P.B.L.A.C.) has been created to provide guidance, feedback, and support to the university on the Anti-Racism Project. This work includes reviewing communications, providing critical perspectives and consultation to leadership (directors, deans, VPs, etc), interpreting data (e.g., Equity Scorecard, salary equity findings, etc.) and providing recommendations that will help shape future policies and processes at the university at multiple levels. The overarching goal of the P.B.L.A.C. is to center the concerns of Black students, faculty, and staff and to provide informed insight and constructive support--given multiple roles, constraints, and realities of university functioning--that will help the university function as an anti-racist institution.
Faculty Leaders
Brad Stone, Ph.D. *Co-Chair
Professor, Philosophy
BCLA Associate Dean for Graduate StudiesChristina Eubanks-Turner, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Mathematics (CSE)Cheryl Grills, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology (BCLA)Mitchell L. Hamilton, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Marketing (CBA)Eric Miller, LLM
Professor of Law (LLS)Bill Parham, Ph.D., ABPP
Professor and Interim Director, Doctorate in Educational Leadership for Social Justice (SOE)Charles Swanson, MFA
Professor of Film and TV Production (SFTV)Staff and Administrative Leaders
Branden Grimmet, Ed.D. *Co-Chair
Associate Vice Provost of Career & Professional DevelopmentBryant Alexander, Ph.D.
Dean of Communication & Fine ArtsHon. Irma Brown ‘73
LMU Board of TrusteesBeverly Clayton
Human Resources AssociateCharles Mason
Assistant Director of Undergraduate AdmissionsChris Pearson, J.D. (‘06)
Loyola Law School Board of RegentsErica Privott
Assistant Director of Engineering, Science & Technology Professions, CPD
Chair, Black Faculty and Staff AssociationAlicia Sissac
Investigator, Public SafetyStudent Leaders
Graduate
Steven Fuller
School of EducationBeatrice Greenberg
Loyola Law SchoolNicole Osunsanmi
Loyola Law SchoolUndergraduate
Amaya Lorick
African American Studies, BCLATyair Milledge
Lauren Morrison
Psychology, BCLA -
The Intercultural Advisory Committee's objective is to advise and make recommendations to the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion regarding policies, procedures, programs, documents, and issues; Identify and implement strategies within their units that encourage leadership and involvement of faculty, staff and students in transforming LMU from a multicultural organization to an intercultural community; educate the University community about intercultural affairs as it relates to academic excellence and institutional viability.
Faculty
Kathleen Kim
Associate Dean for Equity & Inclusion, Loyola Law SchoolJulia Lee, Ph.D.
English, Bellarmine College of Liberal ArtsEric Miller
Professor of Law, Loyola Law SchoolLeena Pendharkar, Ph.D.
Film & TV Production, School of Film & TelevisionGregory Ruzzin, M.F.A.
Production, School of Film & TelevisionMarta Sanchez, Ph.D.
Bilingual Education, School of EducationCharles Swanson
Associate Dean, School of Film and TelevisionHeather Tarleton, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, Seaver College of Science and EngineeringJennifer Williams, Ph.D.
African American Studies, Bellarmine College of Liberal ArtsStaff
Emelyn de la Peña, Ed.D. *Chair
Vice President for Diversity, Equity and InclusionJoseph Bernardo, Ph.D.
Associate, Diversity, Equity and InclusionKristine Brancolini, M.L.S.
Dean, William H. Hannon LibraryKim Misa
Research Associate, Diversity, Equity and InclusionSteven Neal
Director, Academic Community of ExcellenceKatherine Pérez
Director, Coelho Center, Loyola Law SchoolRob Raichlen
Senior Director of Communications, Marketing & CommunicationsJohn Sebastian, Ph.D.
Vice President for Mission and MinistryJade Smith
Associate Dean, Student AffairsSara Trivedi
Title IX Coordinator, Human ResourcesLinda Rivera
Admin Specialist, Diversity, Equity and InclusionAriane White, Ed.D.
Director, TRHT Center AllianceStudents
Brion Dennis
Chief Programming Officer, ASLMUKayla Dillard
Community Affairs Chair, BLSA, Loyola Law SchoolAndré Enriquez
LLS Student Senator, GSLMUDanielle Nuñez (’19)
Alumna, BCLABrenda Quintanilla (‘19)
Alumna, BCLA
Vice President, GSLMU -
The objective of the Intercultural Faculty Committee is to help cultivate and express the University’s commitment to diversity and interculturalism within the academic life and academic programs of the University.
Membership Jennifer Williams, Ph.D. *Chair
African American Studies, Bellarmine College of Liberal ArtsShaun Anderson, Ph.D.
Communication Studies, College of Communication & Fine ArtsLei Huang, Ph.D.
Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Seaver College of Science & EngineeringTerese Aceves, Ph.D.
Specialized Programs in Professional Psychology, School of EducationJoshua Mason, Ph.D.
Philosophy, Bellarmine College of Liberal ArtsLouvenia Jackson, Ph.D.
Marital and Family Therapy, College of Communication & Fine ArtsAnu Kapse, Ph.D.
Film & Television Studies, School of Film & TelevisionCecilia Gonzalez-Andrieu, Ph.D.
Theological Studies, Bellarmine College of Liberal ArtsErnesto Colín, Ph.D.
Teaching and Learning, School of Education -
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Data Working Group has been charged with providing university leadership with recommendations for the identification, collection, sharing, and dissemination of disaggregated data at LMU as follows:
- Identify and define a comprehensive set of diversity, equity and inclusion data variables that fully represent and celebrate the diversity of the LMU community (students, staff and faculty).
- Examine data collection processes as they relate to newly defined DEI data definitions and develop a set of recommendations to ensure a formalized data collection and archiving process.
- Develop a robust DEI data sharing policy and procedure recommendation that is grounded in data transparency, access, training, and security.
- Provide recommendations for a comprehensive DEI dashboard to ensure relevant metrics are available for community consumption.
Membership Jennifer Belichesky-Larson *Chair
Assistant Vice Provost, Strategic InitiativesJean-Paul Andrieu
Director, Strategy, Architecture & AnalyticsJeffery Callaghan
Director, Advancement Information ServicesRoberto Cancio
Assistant Professor, Sociology/Director, BCLA Laboratory for Social ResearchRebecca Chandler
Vice President, Human ResourcesChristine A. Chavez
Senior Director, Institutional Research & Decision SupportDeanna Cooke
Assistant Professor, Psychology/Director, BCLA Engaged LearningClark Ryan-Gonzalez
Director, Student Affairs Research and AssessmentJoel Gutierrez
Associate Director, Student Leadership & DevelopmentRebecca Hong
Senior Director, Educational Effectiveness and Assessment/WSCUC Accreditation Liaison OfficerMark Houlemarde
Associate, Academic AffairsRosemary Kim
Associate Professor, AccountingPriscilla Levine
Director, Disability Support ServicesKim Misa
Research Associate, Intercultural AffairsWilliam D. Parham
Professor, Counseling Program/Director, Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership for Social JusticeKatherine Perez
Director, Coelho Center for Disability Law, Policy, and InnovationWilliam Perez
Professor, Educational LeadershipCsilla Samay
Assistant Dean, International Student & InitiativesJennifer Silverman
University Registrar -
Student Affairs Equity & Inclusion Committee Lisha Maddox *Chair
Director of Student SuccessCsilla Samay
Assistant Dean for International Students and InitiativesHenry Ward
Assistant Dean for Ethnic and Intercultural ServicesPatrick Furlong
Director of the Center for Service and ActionDino Entac
Assistant Director for Resident Ministry and LeadershipAlyssa Perez
Assistant Director, Alternative Breaks, CSAJamal Epperson
Resident Director -
Library D.E.I. Taskforce Jamie Hazlitt
Interim Associate DeanNicole Murph
Library Assistant III - ReferenceAlexis Weiss
Librarian II - ReferenceRay Andrade
Librarian II - Student EngagementMarisa Ramirez
Library Assistant III - Archives & Special CollectionReggie Melonson
Patron Database Supervisor Library AssistantJill Cornelio
Administrative Specialist, LibraryTaylor Parks
Library Assistant II - Cataloging -
University Advancement's Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Lisa Jackson *Chair
Director of Special EventsVanessa Arredondo
Director of Development, Parent PhilanthropyDarian Bryant
Senior Engagement Coordinator, Alumni EngagementCarla Cruz
Assistant Director, Alumni EngagementCharlien Church
Assistant Director of Annual Leadership GivingChristiana Simpson
Talent Acquisition and Retention Specialist, University AdvancementYvonne Wehrmann
Director of Development, Academic Affairs and Mission & MinistryKristi Wade
Vice President, University Advancement -
MarComm's Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Arianna Danova
Senior Administrative CoordinatorEarl Hardy
Marketing and Communications Manager, Graduate AdmissionMike Harris
Associate Athletic Director, Community EngagementRaymundo Hernandez-Lopez
DesignerKatie Jones
Director of Marketing and Brand ManagementTracy Mlakar
Director, Advancement CommunicationsFred Puza
Associate Director, Community RelationsJustine Saquilayan
Digital Marketing ManagerBen Sullivan
Director, Communication Services and Digital SolutionsMarianna Villa
Executive Director, External Relations -
The BCLA Diversity & Inclusion Working Group is charged with creating a Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan for the college. Through a deliberative process, which included focus groups and College leadership and College-wide discussion, supported by an OIA Inclusive Excellence Grant, the group developed a BCLA Strategic Plan that was endorsed by the BCLA College Council in May, 2019. The group continues to work on concrete metrics and outcomes and supported the Dean’s efforts to develop a BCLA Diversity and Inclusion Implementation Table, which was endorsed by the BCLA College Council in February, 2020. As an outcome of BCLA’s diversity, equity, and inclusion process, Stefan Bradley was appointed as the inaugural BCLA Coordinator of Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives. Professor Bradley will continue BCLA’s efforts for at least the next two years.
BCLA Diversity & Inclusion Working Group Stefan Bradley *Co-Chair
Professor of African American Studies and BCLA Coordinator of Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives, Co-ChairJon Rothchild *Co-Chair
Professor of Theological Studies and BCLA Associate Dean, Co-ChairMarne Campbell
Associate Professor and Chair of African American StudiesEliza Rodriguez y Gibson
Professor and Chair of Chicana/o and Latina/o StudiesRebeca Acevedo
Professor of Modern Languages and LiteraturesNegin Ghavami
Assistant Professor of PsychologyDouglas Christie
Chair of Theological Studies -
CBA DEI Project Taskforce Lawrence Kalbers
Associate Dean, CBANola Wanta
Senior Director of Recruiting & Relationship ManagementDayle Smith
Dean, CBADiana Perez
Senior Administrative Coordinator, CBANoriko Sato Ward
Administrative Coordinator, CBAChiray Koo
Program Associate, Center for Ethics & BusinessRoberta Kuhlman
Senior Director, University Development/CBAAidin Namin
Assistant Professor of Marketing and Business LawLeigh Fine
Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Business ProgramsChristine Johnson
Director of Graduate Business EngagementDebbi Durio-Taylor
Senior Administrative Coordinator, CBAChristley Agbaroji
StudentAlexis Smith
StudentLaurine Forget
Student -
The College of Communication and Fine Arts has deep commitments to transformative education and social justice. These foundations inform the various aspects of our College community and will carry forward into the work that the College now undertakes in response to the University’s broad diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. This work, newly operationalized in alignment with the specific objectives and timelines set out by the University, extends the always critical, always mission-driven work that is at the heart of CFA’s social and intellectual culture.
Steering Committee
In response to the University’s call for DEI action, accountability and assessment at the Unit level, CFA is implementing a College-Wide Steering Committee to organize College DEI activities, conduct College-level analyses and generate, where appropriate, College-level action items.
This Steering Committee will have the following representation:
- Dean: Bryant K. Alexander, Charge and ex-officio member
- Dean’s Office: Michele Hammers, Associate Dean and Elaine Walker, Assistant Dean
- Departmental Representation (in most cases, one faculty member or advanced graduate student per Department):
- Art History: Melody Rod-ari
- Communication Studies: Kyra Pearson
- Dance: Kristen Smiarowski and Laura Smyth
- Marital and Family Therapy: Amanda Martin
- Music: Martha Masters
- Studio Arts: Selwa Sweidan
- Theatre: Christopher Murillo
- Staff Members from Across Job Functions:
- Senior Administrative Coordinator: Lisa Tanaka
- Academic Advisor: Jameia McDuffie
- Technical Support: [pending]
- Current Students and Recent Graduates:
- Jose Camacho
- Abigail Manullang
- Simrah Farrukh
In addition to meeting and working as a whole, the Steering Committee will utilize smaller working groups to engage in targeted tasks. Other individuals within the College have expressed interest in supporting the Steering Committee’s efforts and will be included in working groups as appropriate.
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Loyola Law School's Equity and Inclusion Committee Eric Miller (Co-chair)
Professor of LawAnne Wells (Co-chair)
Director of Academic Success Clinical Professor of LawKathleen Kim (ex-officio)
Associate Dean of Equity & InclusionAimee Dudovitz (ex-officio)
Associate Dean for Clinical/Experiential Ed.Gary Williams
ProfessorMary Strauss
ProfessorPriscilla Ocen
ProfessorGrant Hoover
Director of Annual GivingArion Rogers
Student AffairsDiana Barbadillo
Executive Assistant to DeanEden Teferi
BLSA President (2L)Beatrice Greenberg
BLSA Advocacy Chair (2L) -
Dean's DEI Advisory Group Tina Choe *Chair
Dean, Frank R. Seaver College of Science and EngineeringHeather Tarleton
Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Seaver College of Science and EngineeringBen Fitzpatrick
Clarence Wallen, SJ, Chair, MathematicsSuzanne Larson
Professor and Associate Dean, Seaver College of Science and EngineeringBarbara Marino
Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer EngineeringNaKesha Mayfield
Assistant to Dean, Academic Affairs AssociateJeremy McCallum
Professor, ChemistryNazmul Ula
Professor and Associate Dean, Frank R. Seaver College of Science and EngineeringCarl Urbinati
Kat Weaver
Associate Professor, Biology
Associate Provost for Research, Professional Development, and Online Learning -
To support the University’s efforts to engage in an institutional reflection and action process, and to address SOE community concerns that we take substantive and timely actions that reflect our commitment to supporting equity and social justice while working to eradicate racism, and other pernicious forms of oppression, the SOE has established the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Action Committee (DAC) as a standing committee.
Visit the School of Education's D.E.I. Website.
The purpose of the DAC is to collaboratively lead, design and coordinate equity, inclusion, and diversity-related processes and programs for the LMU School of Education that are consistent with the SOE’s philosophy on diversity, equity, and inclusion as articulated in the SOE Conceptual Framework and the University’s commitment to reflection and anti-racist action as articulated by President Tim Snyder in his message Beyond Words. As such, the DAC will work to foster a stronger understanding of social inequities and historical forces of oppression, to investigate systemic forms of racism and oppression, to reduce institutional barriers for people of color and other marginalized groups, and to foster an inclusive culture in which all faculty, staff, and students can reach their full potential.
The DAC will work closely with the SOE’s Leadership Team to foster the schools’ diversity and equity mission. In collaboration with the SOE Dean and leadership team, the inaugural DAC will establish goals and create a 3-year plan for actions and outcomes with indicators of measurable progress on DAC activities and actions.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Action Committee Membership 2020-2022 Emily Fisher *Co-Chair
Professor, Specialized Programs in Professional PsychologyWill Perez *Co-Chair
Professor, Educational LeadershipMaia Hoskin
Assistant Professor, Specialized Programs in Professional PsychologyKyo Yamashiro
Assistant Professor, Educational LeadershipAni Shabazian
Professor, Teaching & Learning, Director, LMU Children's CenterDarin Earley
Director, LMU Family of SchoolsAriane White
Supervisor/Coordinator of Clinical FieldworkLauren Black
M.A. StudentAllison Nava-Holstein
Ed.D. Student -
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Council:
MembershipCharles Swanson *Coordinator
Professor of Cinematography, Film & Television ProductionMiranda Banks
Associate Professor of Film & Television ProductionLeena Pendharkar
Assistant Professor of Film & Television ProductionBeth Serlin
Interim Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, SFTVJohn Strauss
Assistant Professor of ScreenwritingKennedy Wheatley
Assistant Professor of Film & Television ProductionLaura Greenlee
Head of Physical ProductionKristine Quiocho
Academic Affairs Associate, Administration & PlanningMikayla Gingrey Osborne
Senior, ScreenwritingDongwon Oh
First Year, Writing & Producing for TelevisionZainab Sillah
Second Year, Graduate, Screenwriting
Listening Sessions
Racism & Trauma in the Modern Moment - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion hosted over 500 LMU community members -- students, faculty and staff -- at a virtual forum designed to acknowledge the trauma of systemic violence against African Americans. The conversation was oriented towards students and all community members negatively affected by the violence leading to the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, the most recent victims of a longstanding, ongoing, historical trauma. Facilitators included: Dr. Stefan Bradley (BCLA), Megan Castillo '19 (graduate student and community organizer), Dr. Cheryl Grills (BCLA), and Henry Ward (EIS). At this forum, many students were given the space to share their feelings, experiences, and expectations of the university; a beginning step to the anti-racism project.
University Advancement
LMU Solidarity Hour - Alumni Engagement partnered with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to change LMU Global Happy Hour to LMU Solidarity Hour. Participants were able to listen and learn about how we can advocate for change in our own communities, reflecting our values as people for and with others. Dr. Cheryl Grills (Professor of Psychology) lead discussions on how to emancipate our minds in order to create a just society.
Black Alumni Panel - Alumni Engagement in collaboration with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the African American Alumni Association, hosted their first Black Alumni Panel. During this discussion, we heard stories from our alumni to help inform and guide the university’s commitment and strategy to address systemic oppression and anti-Black racism in a comprehensive manner. Participants attended a breakout session of their choice based on their preference by College/School, Athletics or Student Affairs. Notes from the listening session will guide the university with next steps to assure an LMU experience and education that is inclusive and anti-racist.
African American Alumni Association Ambassadors Meetings - The African American Alumni Association (AAAA) was established to provide financial assistance to deserving undergraduate LMU students who achieve academically and actively support their community. AAAA ambassadors volunteer as an extension of the university to promote and support LMU within their Lion network representing the Black student and alumni community. AAAA ambassadors meet annually to discuss fundraising, scholarships, alumni events, and other university updates.
Contact alumni@lmu.edu to learn about upcoming listening sessions and opportunities for further feedback.