LETTER FROM THE ALUMNI PRESIDENT
PAYING IT FORWARD
When I arrived as a freshman in Warren College in 1978 , I was intrigued by the multi-disciplinary education I was about to engage in . Yet for as much as my educational opportunities were diverse , my fellow student body was not . There was only a small population of Black students , and even fewer faculty members who looked like me . Today , mentoring students and serving on the alumni board and the Black Alumni Council has helped me make sense of this duality I encountered — a fantastic and inspirational education , coupled with a sometimes lonely experience as a student .
Now , as an active alum , I see the progress being made toward greater diversity on campus . The number of UC San Diego undergraduates from underrepresented groups has more than doubled since 2012 , and 37 % of our students are first in their family to attend college . This speaks to my favorite of all of UC San Diego ’ s numerous high rankings — we have been named number one in social mobility by Washington Monthly for 10 years .
“ Now , as an active alum , I see the progress being made toward greater diversity on campus .”
As alumni , we can still make a difference . The percentage of Black students on campus has increased only incrementally since I graduated , and we are just on the cusp of becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution , nearing the 25 % Chicanx student population required for such designation . As alumni , we can help increase these numbers by supporting initiatives like Chancellors Associate Scholarships and The San Diego Foundation ’ s Black Alumni Scholarship Fund . You can also contribute to students ’ continued success by mentoring and sharing career opportunities via our online networking platform , Tritons Connect .
Even before the global civil unrest started last spring , UC San Diego students , faculty , staff , and alumni have been asking critical questions about equity and diversity at our university : Are we providing access to as many students as possible ? How can the campus and curriculum be more inclusive so that all students will thrive ? I welcome all alumni to take part in these conversations during the fourth annual Triton Leaders Conference , February 5 – 6 , 2021 . Just turn the page to learn more about the many speakers , breakout sessions , and discussion topics that I hope you ’ ll choose to engage in , especially as we reflect on the 60th year of our outstanding university during such a momentous time for our society .
With Triton pride ,
Kimberley Phillips Boehm , Warren ’ 82 , PhD President , UC San Diego Alumni Board of Directors
62 TRITON | WINTER 2021