Diversity and Inclusion Office Renamed
The Office of Faculty Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion has been rebranded as the Division of Diversity and Innovation.
The Division of Diversity and Innovation (DDI) is replacing what was once a more localized office, a move that will heighten San Diego State University's advancement of equity, diversity and inclusion.
Formerly known as the Office of Faculty Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, this rebranding reflects the office's commitment to be supportive of all students, faculty and staff, and will also adopt initiatives meant to benefit alumni and general community members.
SDSU President Adela de la Torre, in consultation with the Provost and Senior Vice President Salvador Hector Ochoa, made the decision to realign and rename DDI.
“This rebranding and realignment allows us to amplify our welcoming campus environment while expanding support that contributes to the excellence and success of every member of our campus community,” Ochoa said. “DDI will elevate campus efforts to recruit and retain individuals from historically underrepresented populations and, overall, support the growth of all campus community members, regardless of background or experience.”
J. Luke Wood will serve as lead and oversee DDI.
“We believe diversity and inclusion are key drivers for innovation and excellence — this is embedded in the vision and mission of both DDI and the university. We will advance innovations in educational practice, scholarship, and community partnerships that help to build a stronger SDSU,” said Wood, also SDSU’s Chief Diversity Officer.
“Diversity and inclusion are values apparent in our research enterprise, our international focus, our campus programming and how we are approaching our strategic planning process, which begins with the new academic year,” Wood said. “SDSU’s culture of diversity and inclusion and commitment to equity has been sustained over time and, with the introduction of DDI and other initiatives, will lead to important progress across our campus community.”
With the introduction of a division-based structure comes other leadership shifts and improvements to structure, notably:
Jennifer Imazeki will serve as Associate Chief Diversity Officer for Faculty Success. Previously director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, Imazeki will now provide leadership over efforts to promote equity, diversity and inclusion among SDSU’s faculty. Imazeki, an economics professor, is also a Senate Distinguished Professor.
Jessica Nare has been promoted to the role of Associate Chief Diversity Officer for Student Engagement. In this role, Nare will provide leadership over our efforts to promote equity, diversity and inclusion among SDSU students. Prior, Nare served as the director of the Women’s Resource Center and associate director of the Center for Intercultural Relations.
Agustín “Augie” Garibay has been selected to serve as the director of SDSU’s identity centers. Garibay comes to SDSU from California State University, Northridge, where he served as the assistant director for Diversity Initiatives. Garibay will provide senior leadership to SDSU’s identity centers, formerly housed in the Division of Student Affairs. The centers including the Center for Intercultural Relations, Black Resource Center, Women’s Resource Center, PRIDE Center, the Mind Body Spirit rooms, as well as several newly established and/or transitioned centers.
