Multicultural Center Welcomes Diverse Campus Community
From left, at the UCSF Multicultural Resource Center pre-grand opening event, are Tatiana Torres, senior secretary in the Temporary Employment Program; Renee Navarro, MD, PharmD, vice chancellor for Diversity and Outreach; Misty Loetterie, chief of staff of Diversity and Outreach; Paul Day, communications manager of Diversity and Outreach; and Mijiza M. Sanchez, MPA, the center's director.
The UCSF Multicultural Resource Center has opened its doors to the campus community, to promote a culture of inclusion and offer a gathering place for discussions about diversity.
Attendees of the July 17 pre-grand opening of the UCSF Multicultural Resource Center are welcomed with a more than a dozen different languages.
The pre-grand opening was celebrated last month at the new center, which is featuring a special photo exhibit called "100% You,” a collection of 82 portraits by UCSF School of Dentistry photographer David Hand of multiracial members of the campus community. Attendees of the July 17 opening event viewed the artwork, inspired by artist Kip Fullbeck’s “Hapa Project,” and were invited to write on a board what multiculturalism means to them.
Mijiza M. Sanchez, MPA, the center’s director, said its mission is to offer support and programatic services surrounding diversity issues, such as recruitment and retention of underrepresented students, faculty and staff and provide culturally competent education and patient care. Sanchez said she also hopes the center will be a space where everyone feels welcome to share their experiences and challenges.
Tatiana Torres, senior secretary in the Temporary Employment Program, writes on the white board in the Multicultural Resource Center what multiculturalism means to her.
The Multicultural Resource Center is located in the space formerly occupied by the Synapse student newspaper office in Millberry Union at the Parnassus campus. The center is part of the Vice Chancellor Renee Navarro’s Office of Diversity and Outreach.
The center’s official grand opening will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 24, from 4 to 6 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
Photos by Susan Merrell