WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP
Sacramento State
BEYOND DIVERSITY TO INCLUSION
E
quality has been the central development that were created when
theme in the life of Diana Tate diversity and inclusion weren’t a priority.
Vermeire. She built a legal career These areas represent some of the largest
working for racial justice at the ACLU of gaps and therefore can make a significant
Northern California. Today, she brings impact. She is also working to improve
that passion and expertise to her role as overall awareness — helping staff, faculty and
executive director of Sacramento State’s students consider if they are inadvertently
new Office of Inclusive Excellence, and excluding others because they don’t share
she is leading the University in its effort to the same reality. For example, imagining the
move the campus culture beyond diversity campus experience for students who are
to embody inclusivity. single parents or transgender, and evaluating
Like the greater Sacramento community,
the campus itself is extremely diverse,
scoring fourth in the West in the U.S. News
what the University is doing to ensure that
everyone feels welcome and has what they
need to be successful.
and World Report 2019 rankings for ethnic Vermeire is helping the campus community
diversity. However, a priority for Sacramento create real and meaningful change. She
State is to go beyond representation to is acutely aware that down the road,
create a place where everyone is welcomed, Sacramento State will lose talented faculty,
allowed to be their authentic self and staff and students if it doesn’t. But more
listened to with an open mind. importantly, being inclusive is just the right
As the force spearheading this culture shift,
Vermeire is working with colleagues to
address the institutional processes, such as
hiring of faculty, training and professional
14
“
Being an inclusive
campus means
that we want
our community
members to
engage with one
another in real and
authentic ways.
— DIANA TATE VERMEIRE, J.D.
Executive Director, Office of Inclusive
Excellence and University Diversity
Officer
”
thing to do. After all, a university is a place to
inspire new ideas. Those can take shape only
if it continuously evolves and includes, in a
meaningful way, all the individuals it serves.
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819
916.278.6011
www.csus.edu
comstocksmag.com | March 201 9
CLIENT PROFILE