President’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council
Diversity at National University encompasses the whole of the human experience and includes such human qualities as
race, gender, ethnicity, physical ability, nationality, age, religion, sexual orientation, economic status,
education, experiences, and veteran status. These and other socially and historically important attributes reflect
the complexity of our increasingly diverse student body and communities.
In recognition that our society and our institution have become more diverse, National University has re-invigorated
the President’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council (DEIC). The DEIC functions as an advisory council and
recommending body to the Office of the President, and council members serve as liaisons to divisions, offices, and
units across the intuition. Council members are responsible for assessing, developing, overseeing, and monitoring
University-wide efforts to achieve NU’s commitment to diversity and access as core institutional and educational
values.
The DEIC meets regularly to assess the systems, culture, and climate of the University through an equity lens, and
develops recommendations that will help foster a more wholly inclusive and equitable culture. The Vice Provost for
Academic Services, Dr. Joseph Hoey is the Chair of the DEIC, which consists of faculty, staff, and student
volunteers. The council members represent many of the diverse offices, departments, and representative bodies of NU
such as:
- Student Representatives
- Faculty Senate
- Graduate Council
- Undergraduate Council
- Council of Chairs
- Equity & Inclusion Office
- Human Resources
- Student Accessibility Services
- National University Language Institute
- Title IX Office
- International Programs Office
- Enrollment Management
- Center for Innovation & Learning
- Academic Operations
- Advisor of Pride @ NU
- Finance
- Registrar Office
- Facilities/Security
To begin this important process, the DEIC has embarked on the important work of institutional baseline assessment.
To ensure targeted successes, the assessment efforts have been divided up into five sub-committees:
Access & Equity
Evaluate how to create and ensure access for all underserved populations (students, faculty, and staff) at
the institution. Develop methods to improve access and success for all members of the NU community, while
enabling advancement (retention) and success (graduation) for underserved students.
Diversity in the Formal & Informal Curriculum
Assess and recommend improvements to embed diversity and social justice concepts throughout curricular and
co-curricular studies (field trips, field experience, study abroad, etc.), University processes (Career
Services, Student Organizations, Financial Aid, Office of Student Conduct, etc.), including outcomes
assessments.
Institutional Commitment, Climate and Communication
Coordinate with Executive Leadership, Human Resources, and Public Relations to review institutional responses to city, state, and national events related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Lead qualitative and quantitative assessment of students, staff, and faculty to identify trends and perceptions of campus climate to support action plans for transformational and sustainable institutional action. Lead activities surrounding disseminating knowledge and awareness of the DEIC and its activities to the NU Community.
Student Learning and Development through Andragogical Diversity
Assess and collaborate with other groups to develop methods and practices for adult learners to further
reinforce an educational environment that fosters a sense of belonging to the institution. This includes the
learning environment, mode of delivery, ancillary departmental services, an atmosphere of respect and
supportiveness, and the way all of these experiences combine to create a unique learning culture where all
students can thrive.
NU as a Workplace
Creating and fostering a university culture where everyone feels welcome, respected, and valued.
J. Joseph Hoey, IV, EdD
Chair of the President’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council
Vice Provost for Academic Services at National University
For me, it’s about building a positive environment of inclusion and being valued for our contributions, as we work collectively for the benefit of our students and to facilitate their learning. My ongoing commitment to this work has been built throughout my career. I served as program evaluator for a project that made mobile and other telecommunications devices accessible for persons with disabilities at Georgia Institute of Technology. In my immediate previous institution, I hired the very first Associate Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion. I served for seven years on the board and as the past board chair of Kids Included Together, a San Diego-based disability inclusion organization that provides research-based programmatic support around the globe for including children who have disabilities in after-school programs.
Miles T. Leader
Professor English Language and Pathway Program
National University Language Institute
I am a firm believer that diversity is a strength, and hope to make lasting changes in the advancement of diversity and inclusion at National University.
Heather M. Tyrrell
Institutional Equity Officer
Office of Equity and Inclusion
I envision a culture that is open, transparent, collaborative and supportive. One in which all members feel included, see the impact of their work, understand the value our differences bring the University and are recognized for their efforts.
Peilin Fu
Professor and Academic Program Director, Engineering and Computing
College of Professional Studies
I would like to contribute my efforts to enhancing NU’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion awareness, and helping create an inclusive and equitable campus climate for students to thrive.
Karrie Yi
National University Student Scholar
Bachelor of Arts Early Childhood Education Integrated Multiple
Subject Credential Candidate 2021
I joined the DEIC to help students to connect to appropriate staff or program resources and to further assess the needs of the student in both residential and international student bodies in order to help establish necessary resources/programs or student organizations.
Ritika Bhawal, PhD
Associate Professor & Academic Program Director, BSPH Program
College of Professional Studies
Diversity and inclusion in the workplace, while often linked together, are two very different concepts. I think of inclusion as the means to operationalize diversity. diversity is a mix of differences, inclusion is making the mix work. It is counter-productive to develop a workforce with racial, ethnic, gender, age, socioeconomic, and a host of other differences, unless you work to be inclusive of those differences. It is through the process of inclusion (which must be intentional) that people learn different viewpoints and experiences. In my experience, and based on many research studies, this is what drives innovation.
Martin Gallardo
Director
Facilities
I want to better understand, and work to remove, any barriers our students experience in pursuit of their educational goals.
Lori R. Piowlski, PhD
Chair of the Teacher Education Department; Associate Professor
Sanford College of Education
My personal and professional cultural journey has propelled my desire to support our future teachers’ cultural proficient growth from the inside-out so that they are able to provide equitable, inclusive environments and practices for ALL students!
LaCrisia “Cris” Gilbert
Ombudsperson
Office of the Ombudsman
I believe that an organization that prioritizes diversity, equity and inclusion creates an environment that respects and values individual difference along varying dimensions. In addition, inclusive organizations foster cultures that minimize bias and recognize and address systemic inequities, which, if unaddressed, can create disadvantage for certain individuals.
John Akapito
International Student Success and Services Representative
International Programs Office
I’m glad and honored to be part of National University’s DEIC Council because it is along the lines of what I’m most interested in: the promotion of diversity in which equity and inclusion are, I believe, absolute necessities.
Starlone Thomas
Manager, Talent Acquisition
Human Resources
I joined the DEIC because inclusion puts the practice of diversity into action.
Jen Keyes
Chief Financial Officer
Finance
I joined the DEIC to support NU’s value of diversity with a goal to ensure a wholly inclusive and equitable culture allowing for access of quality education regardless of a student’s background and orientation.
Jyothi Bathina, PhD
Associate Professor
Dept of Teacher Education
Sanford College of Education
I joined DEIC because as a teacher educator, I am keenly aware of the need to infuse diversity, equity, and inclusion-oriented curriculum in teacher preparation programs.
Matthew Medeiros
Chief Compliance Officer & Title IX Coordinator
Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost
I believe it is imperative for me to be an active voice for equity at the university; building an environment where all students, faculty and staff are treated as important and valued individuals is essential to maintaining a diverse, healthy and inclusive institutional culture.
Julia McMillan
Coordinator, NU Scholars Program
Center for Student Engagement and Activities
As the founder and staff advisor of NU’s first LGBTQ+ group, PRIDE@NU, I see DEI work as crucial for meeting the needs of adult learners (especially women and members of the LGBTQ+ community), and for ensuring that students taking part in distance or asynchronous degree programs have an affirming, enriching, and successful educational experience.
Louis R. Cruz, Ed.D.
Associate Vice President
Regional Operations
My purpose in being a member of this committee is because I am the first member of my family to go to college. The process for me to attend college was not easy and as a part of this committee I want to be able to make the process for first generation college students more seamless.
Ildifonso Carrillo
Senior Instructional Designer
Center for Innovation in Learning
I joined the DEIC to help ensure that our diverse online student population feels included, reflected and embraced throughout their education experience.
Brad Dotson
Director of Student Success
Division of Student Success
Joining the DEIC is very important to me because I want to be an active participant of positive progression at NU. Both my professional and personal life will always reflect my earnest desire for the communities in which I impact to reflect diverse and inclusive ideas and policies.
Mudasser Wyne
Professor of Computer Science & Program Director, MS in Computer Science
College of Professional Studies
I am a strong believer of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. I joined DEIC to be able to contribute in building positive campus climate based on my extensive academic experience. My current focus is Diversity in the formal and informal Curriculum across the various academic programs.
Carolyn Aoki
Human Resources Business Partner
Human Resources
“None of us is as smart as all of us.” (Ken Blanchard) Each person; every student, staff and faculty, with their own distinct perspective, background, talent and experiences brings a collective richness and genius to the organization. My hope is that the DEIC finds new ways to promote the richness of diversity at NU, the joy of inclusion and the power of uniqueness with belonging, to empower both student success and the employee experience.
Trisha Crosby-Cooper
Professor and Academic Program Director of School
Psychology
Sanford College of Education
Department of Applied Behavioral Analysis, School
Psychology, and Educational Counseling (ASPEC)
My contribution to the President’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council is to ensure that the voices of those who have historically been marginalized and excluded are apart of the discussion and process in moving the University towards a more inclusive and equitable environment.
JB Robinson
Associate Director, Accessibility & Wellness
Division of Student Success
I am honored to be a trusted member of the DEIC and contribute to an atmosphere of equity, inclusion, and transparency. Accessible education remains the bedrock of so many of our civic institutions and communal life, and we owe it to so many to make post-secondary education a possibility, a joy, and a right.
Anita Handson
Executive Director of Account Services
National University System Agency – Marketing Department
As a 2018 CMC (Culture Marketing Council) rising star award recipient, I’ve made diversity, equity, and inclusion a long-term mission of mine. I have spent most of my marketing career fighting for not only the inclusion of diversity in advertising but the right, culturally relevant, and authentic inclusion. I joined the DEIC at National University to expand my mission beyond advertising. Through education, the impact is greater, planting the seeds to reap the fruit of a richer, more equal, inclusive, and diverse society.
Randa El Jurdi
National University Student Scholar, M.A. In Counseling Psychology
I joined DEIC because I believe that colleges that include diversity, equity, and inclusion on their campuses and in their curricula help improve students’ sense of belonging and willingness to engage academically. Thus, they graduate with a better college experience.
Brie Martin
Institutional Researcher
University Analytics and Institutional Research
I joined the DEIC to support data-informed decision making around diversity, equity, and inclusion. I believe that an inclusive environment benefits all students, and measuring diversity and inclusion in meaningful ways will lead to positive changes.