CAMPUS
ADVANCING EQUITY
Triton Leaders Conference 2021
UC San Diego ’ s fourth annual Triton Leaders Conference , hosted virtually to a global audience this February , held an added importance this year with the theme of “ Advancing Equity .” After months of tension , strife , tragedy and disparity , the conference brought an opportunity for dialogue about how UC San Diego and its community of Tritons worldwide are addressing inequality — and how others can get involved .
Cara Dessert ’ 05 , chief executive director of the San Diego LGBT Community Center , credited her career in advocacy to her experience in UC San Diego ’ s college-transition OASIS Program , as well as the many mentors she had throughout her journey . “ For the more senior folks here ,” she said , “ let ’ s make sure we don ’ t just choose mentees who look like us . And for the young people — create a network with a wealth of skills , experiences and backgrounds that you can call on to support you .”
“ The conference made me more mindful about how to interact with our alumni and the activities that I plan for our region .”
— Rachel Corell ’ 06 , Orange County alumni club leader
University of California President Michael V . Drake , MD , recognized the current pivotal moment in history : “ We continue to grapple with a global pandemic that has taken far too many lives around the world . We ’ re also engaged in a nationwide conversation about systemic racism and how our institutions and our country can be more just and inclusive .” Chancellor Pradeep K . Khosla followed , emphasizing the conference as “ a powerful opportunity to advance this important work , challenge the status quo and seek solutions to complex issues — because that ’ s what Tritons do .”
8 TRITON | SPRING 2021