Fiscal Year 2021-2022
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Impact Report
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Message from
ACADEMIC YEAR (AY) 2021-22 POINTS OF PRIDE
Leadership
Aniesha Mitchell, J.D. Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity San Diego State University
The Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity elevates, celebrates, and supports the diverse students, faculty, and staff of San Diego State through professional learning, community building, advocacy, policy recommendations, and organizational structures. We aim to foster an affirming campus culture based on the core values of excellence, equity, diversity, belonging, and inclusion through: -Recruitment of faculty and staff who are reflective of the diverse students and communities served by SDSU -Fostering an environment of inclusion for students, faculty, and staff from underrepresented groups -Enhancing the career and academic pathways of students, faculty, and staff from underrepresented groups -Cultivating relationships with the local community that advance the well-being of diverse individuals and communities The support of donors is critical to this mission. We thank you for your continued investment in a campus environment that is welcoming and inclusive for all.
Student Affairs + Campus
Diversity
SDSU Rankings, Awards, and Recognitions
#107
#24
Top
25
Top
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OVERALL DIVERSITY Ranked #107 in overall diversity and #148 in the 2022 edition of Best Colleges in National Universities.
BACHELOR'S DEGREES AWARDED Ranked #24 in the nation for bachelor’s degrees awarded to underrepresented minoritized community members or minoritized individuals and #60 in master's degrees awarded to minorities (Diverse Issues in Higher Education 2021). ONE OF THE BEST UNIVERSITIES FOR WOMEN Recognized as one of the nation’s best universities for women and a top 25 MBA program for women (Professional Women's Magazine, 2017; U.S. News & World Report, 2016). TOP COLLEGE FOR LGBTQ+ STUDENTS Recognized as one of the top 10 colleges and universities in the country for LGBTQ+ students and #1 in California by the Campus Pride Index.
Latinx Student Degrees Awarded
Ranked No. 13 in the nation for bachelor’s degrees awarded to Latinx students (Diverse Issues in Higher Education, 2021), and No. 25 for granting the largest number of master’s degrees to Latinx students (Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education, April 2021).
Top College for Native Americans
Ranked in the top 200 Colleges for Native Americans (Princeton Review, 2021).
Fall of 2021
SDSU received the “Seal of Excelencia” from Excelencia in Education. The mission of Excelencia in Education is to accelerate Latino student success in higher education. Excelencia in Education promotes institutional practices and educational policies that support Latino student achievement. SDSU was named a Fulbright HSI Leader by the U.S. Department of State, becoming one of only 35 Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) in the nation to receive the first-ever recognition. The Office of HSI and Regional Affairs established the SDSU HSI Student Advisory Board. National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and the Suder Foundation recently announced that SDSU is one of 12 U.S. institutions elevated as a First-Generation Forward Advisory Institution.
Philanthropy | Thank You for Supporting our Diverse Campus
Diverse Issues in Higher Education:
Your support continues to strengthen our existing program and helps us launch
new initiatives to expand opportunities for all students while advancing diversity.
Supporting Underrepresented Students
The Gilda Johnson Shumate Scholarship Fund will support underrepresented students interested in fields of education. The Guardian Scholars fund supports the financial and academic needs of former foster youth at SDSU. The Equal Opportunities Program (EOP) fund provides scholarships and supports first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented minoritized students at SDSU.
Supporting Professional Development
The Inclusive Excellence Fellowship Fund supports professional development for faculty and staff to develop competencies with equity-minded teaching and student support.
Black Resource Center
Gifts to the Black Resource Center Scholarship Fund provided over $25,000 in scholarships. Gifts to the Black Resource Center (BRC) are providing funding for leadership and scholarship support for student-leadership within the Black Resource Center. The Black Resource Center conference room was named after the former College of Education dean, in recognition of a gift from an anonymous donor.
SDSU Scholar Spotlights
The national publication’s editorial team annually recognizes just 15 outstanding scholars under the age of 40 for their early-career impact. Eric R. Felix, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Administration, Rehabilitation, and Postsecondary Education (ARPE)
Named a 2022 Emerging Scholar by the magazine for his work to dismantle barriers in policy and practice that limit educational success for racially minoritized students.
Yo Soy Campaign
The Yo Soy SDSU campaign launched to provide support for the Latinx Resource Center (LRC), Latinx student organizations, the department of Chicana and Chicano studies, and the Office of HSI affairs.
Olivia Chilcote, Ph.D. Assistant Professor American Indian Studies
Earned 2021 Emerging Scholar for her teaching and research focus on federally and non-federally recognized tribes, specifically in the state of California, which has the most non-federally recognized tribes in the country. Marissa Vasquez, Ed.D. Assistant Professor
Its 11th annual Women’s History Month special report spotlighted Marissa C. Vasquez’s work through the Community College Equity Assessment Lab (CCEAL) at SDSU.
Impact on Student Success | Scholarships
I am a third-year student majoring in kinesiology with an emphasis in pre-physical therapy. The Black Resource Center scholarship that I received last semester was by far one of the best blessings that God gave me this school year. College is extremely expensive, and I cannot afford it, but the scholarship provided me with a sense of relief. The Black Resource Center has always been a second home and a sense of support in my collegiate career. It was nice to know
Events
Annual APIDA Conference, April 2022
Cierra Bush, Kinesiology Major, PrePhysical Therapy Studies Solomon BRC Scholarship Recipient
Diva Zeckua Biology Major, Italian Minor, Pre-Optometry Class of 2022
that people invested in me to help me go above and beyond my potential. The BRC scholarship is another demonstration of support and investment in my goal of being a physical therapist. I
was able to pay for books, scantrons, and lab materials. The scholarship helped to lift the burden off my parents. I know that it is difficult for my parents to pay for college tuition, so being able to be supported by the BRC scholarship helped with the load. I am forever grateful for SDSU, its donors, and especially the Black Resource Center.
As a first-generation college student, the first time I stepped onto a college campus was the day of my freshman orientation. College seemed unreachable to me and my parents until we received the news that my tuition and expenses would be covered through financial aid. It was not until that moment that I began planning my future in higher education. When I began my undergraduate career, I was unaware of the numerous professions I could pursue. Science and healthcare were my passions, but I doubted the possibility of one day becoming a doctor — it seemed unattainable to me. Through my involvement at SDSU, I met colleagues who inspired and guided me throughout my transition from high school to college. Now, as a current future Doctor of Optometry who will begin optometry school this fall, I realize that the challenges I faced at the beginning of my undergraduate career shaped me into the person I am today. My experiences have inspired me to help those
who share similar stories by becoming a mentor to first-time freshmen under the Compact Scholars program and serving as president of the pre-optometry club on campus, FOCUS. Through
my involvement at San Diego State University’s Office of HSI and Regional Affairs and the Hispanic Serving-Institution (HSI) Student Advisory Board, I serve as an advocate for the Hispanic student population. I have worked towards reinforcing our sense of belonging in higher education by strengthening our community on campus. For instance, I participated in the planning of a reception to welcome new Latinx faculty. One barrier that we face as Hispanic students is a lack of representation in higher education. Therefore, through this event, we created a space for both students and faculty to connect. I have become aware that determination, courage, and guidance are all essential elements while navigating through college — especially as a first-generation student. And very importantly, I learned that anything is achievable if you set your heart and mind to it.
SDSU Community Centers | Events
SDSU Community Centers
APIDA Center Black Resource Center Center for Intercultural Relations Center for Transformative Justice Latinx Resource Center
668
Native Resource Center Pride Center Undocumented Resource Center Women’s Resource Center
PROGRAMS HOSTED SDSU Community Centers hosted 668 programs during Academic Year 2021-22. PARTICIPANTS SDSU Community Center events were attended by 14,560 participants during Academic Year 2021-22.
SDSU's Community Center Events
14,560
Events and Accomplishments
Annual Native Research Symposium - April 2022 Black Scholars Summer Konnection (BSSK) summer bridge program (in its second year) The Native Resource Center and APIDA Centers held grand openings in AY 2021-22. The Black Resource Center held its second Black Research Symposium: Empowering Black Minds and Bodies (April). More than 1,000 students, faculty, staff, and community members registered for the virtual conference. Presenters included SDSU students, faculty, and staff. The Office of Graduate Life and Diversity, in collaboration with the SDSU Associated Students Graduate Student Association, held its first Graduate Mind, Body, and Soul Community Resource Fair on April 2022. Over 300 students attended the event. Center for Human Rights was established in 2021 Chair of Peace Studies named Completion of numerous strategic plan projects related to diversity
The Latinx Community Reception recognized and welcomed new faculty and provided a space for the Latinx community to build a sense of belonging at the University.
Featured Event
Celebrando Nuestras Raíces / Celebrating Our Roots The celebration began with a keynote address, delivered at a virtual opening ceremony by Dr. Norma Elia Cantú, followed by a panel discussion with student, faculty, and community members. The celebration ended with a community-wide “pachanga” held in the Student Union that included food, Mariachi, Folklorico, and a DJ for music and dancing.
Program/Course Highlights
Programs Launched a process and organized structure to coordinate, expand, and increase
Launched
visibility of heritage month programs and events, including hosting our first ever
Disability Celebration Month and Jewish Heritage Month.
The Office of Graduate Life and Diversity (GLaD) The Office of Graduate Life and Diversity (GLaD) launched in Fall 2021. The mission of GLaD is to support all graduate students' success and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in our graduate programs at SDSU. GLaD offers personal, professional, financial, and social resources to enrich the graduate student experience and promote success in graduate training. Since its inception, GLaD has serviced over 600 graduate students.
Latinx Resource Center Launched the program, En Confianza @ SDSU, a collaborative support group program between the Latinx Resource Center and Counseling and Psychological Services, offering a safe, welcoming space for students who identify as Latina/e/o/x, Chicana/o/x, and Hispanic.
30+
DIVERSE STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS SDSU has more than 30 academically-themed diverse student organizations.
SDSU and American Indian Recruitment (AIR) Programs signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to further the success of Native American youth seeking to pursue degrees at and beyond SDSU. Launched the first HSI Faculty Learning Community (FLC) - Spring 2022 on how to create inclusive learning environments for Latinx/Hispanic students at an HSI. Launched Presidential Taskforce on Antisemitism and participated in Hillel International’s Campus Climate Initiaitve to collaborate with universities across the United States to address antisemitism. The Native Resource Center and American Indian Studies hosted SDSU’s 50th annual powwow in April 2022 with nearly 1,000 people in attendance. Roxane Gay, New York Times bestselling author, provided the keynote address for SDSU’s Women’s History Month. The Black Resource Center’s Black Scholars Summer Konnection (BSSK) accepted its first cohort of 20 students in July 2021. BSSK Scholars enrolled in three courses during Summer Session Two 2021: Africana Studies 102, which examines the multigenerational impact of the period of enslavement; Africana Studies 170A, which is an African American history course; and Africana Studies 499, which is a seminar course that introduces scholars to Black identity development, campus resources, college readiness tools, and community building.
BSSK’s outcomes included community building, Black faculty and staff connection, and college preparedness. One hundred percent of BSSK scholars enrolled in the Henrietta Goodwin Scholars (HGS) program, a program devoted to providing academic and well-being support to first year students as they navigate SDSU.
The Black Scholars Summer Konnection Program was created to
support incoming students in having a seamless transition from high school to college.
Statistics of Interest
PRNews: Outstanding Graduation by Ethnicity
For the first time, SDSU exceeded a 78% six-year graduation rate in 2021.
Underrepresented minoritized (URM) students are graduating faster than ever. The number of terms it takes for URM freshmen to graduate has fallen by an entire year, from 9.9 terms in 2011-12 to 8.9 terms in 2020-21. Transfer URM students are shaving off three terms to fulfill graduation requirements, requiring only five terms on average to graduate in 2020-21 compared to 6.3 terms in 201112. URM students surged 22% between 2016-2021, with 2,838 URM degrees earned in 2020-21. All underrepresented racial/ethnic groups raised their six-year graduation rate from three years ago (2013-2015), with overall URM graduation rates increasing 9%. Enrollment by Ethnicity
9,323 undergraduate students received Pell Grant assistance in Fall 2021.
Nearly 500 first-generation students (74%) are identified in the Educational Opportunity Program, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in March 2021. 63% of undergraduates attending SDSU and Imperial Valley are students of color. Latinx full-time faculty representation increased from 9% in 2016 to 11% in 2021. Latinx tenured faculty representation increased from 8% in 2016 to 9% in 2021. Latinx administrators representation increased from 12% in 2016 to 17% in 2021. Latinx staff representation increased from 25% in 2016 to 30% in 2021.
Educator of the Year
Kaye Sweetser, Ph.D., APR+M, Fellow PRSA Professor, School of Journalism & Media Studies
Kaye Sweetser has been recognized by PRNews as the Outstanding Educator of the Year for her efforts to diversify the public relations industry. The award is centered on diversity, equity, and inclusion and is a part PRNews’ annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Diversity awards.
Thank you for your generous support.
For questions regarding this report please contact DonorRelations@SDSU.edu or call (619) 594-2448.
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