UCI Office of Inclusive Excellence

On Monday, June 19, we will celebrate the newest national holiday, Juneteenth, an annual commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States after the Civil War. The date that makes up the name of the holiday, June nineteenth, refers to the arrival in Galveston, Texas in 1865 of a Union general who informed the local enslaved population that the war had ended, and they had been freed. Although President Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, enslaved people in some parts of the United States were not informed of the changes until the end of the war. Since the late nineteenth century, African American groups have organized community celebrations and family gatherings on Juneteenth, and in 2021, the U.S. Congress and President made it a national holiday.

Monday, June 19, is a federally designated holiday and campus offices are closed.

Juneteenth provides an opportunity for us to reflect on the history of the United States and the role that slavery played in shaping ongoing attitudes about racial difference. After the Civil War, in some parts of the country, true freedom for Blacks remained elusive as a result of discriminatory laws, segregation, and continued denial of rights that have had a lasting effect.

54 years after Martha P. Johnson threw the first brick at Stonewall, we must continue to protect q***r and trans people— especially q***r and trans POC— against existential threats. That’s why we re-affirm our support for LGBTQIA+ students at UCI and will continue advocating for all students to feel safe and seen. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Congratulations to Alessandra Pantano (left) on being presented the Frances M. Leslie DECADE Mentor Excellence Award by Associate Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Sharon Block (right). Alessandra Pantano is a Professor of Teaching and a Diverse Educational Community and Doctoral Experience (DECADE) mentor in the Department of Mathematics at UCI. She also serves as Assistant Vice Chair for Undergraduate Studies and was appointed as an Inclusive Excellence Professor for faculty development in 2021-2022. Her original training in Unitary Representation Theory evolved over the years towards mathematics education. Specifically, she examines and advances active learning and culturally responsive pedagogy, both in the classroom and in after-school settings. Additionally, she has strived to engage students through strong mentoring and the promotion of diversity and inclusion in education at all levels. As a DECADE Mentor, she has developed several initiatives aimed at improving climate within the math graduate program, and supporting the professional development and the wellbeing of graduate students. She holds an M.S. in mathematics from the University of Tor Vergata in Rome, Italy, and a Ph.D. in mathematics from Princeton University. She was a visiting scholar at MIT and a postdoctoral researcher at Cornell University (H.C. Wang assistant professor). Professor Pantano is a passionate and dedicated instructor. Beyond teaching and research, her efforts have included the creation and development of three outreach programs: the UCI Math Circle, the UCI Math Community Educational Outreach program (Math CEO), and the Math ExpLR program.

Congratulations to Ilona Yim (left) on being presented the Carol Conner Equity Advisor Impact Award by Interim Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Rodrigo Lazo (right). Ilona Yim is Professor and Interim Chair in the Department of Psychological Science and has served for four years as equity advisor in the School of Social Ecology. Her research aims to better understand biopsychological mechanisms linking stress and health, in particular women’s and minority health. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Trier, Germany. At UCI, she co-established and oversees the U See I Write program to promote faculty scholarship and community. She currently works on growing this program into a cross-campus, UC-wide initiative, supported by grant funding from the Advancing Faculty Diversity Program at the University of California, Office of the President. She also co-leads a grant, supported by the same office, to support faculty retention and mentoring. This project has led to establishing a campus-wide Inclusive Excellence Professors council and mentoring program, creating visible and impactful leadership development and mentoring resources at UCI.

Congratulations to Lisa Flanagan (left) on being presented the Carol Conner Equity Advisor Impact Award by Interim Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Rodrigo Lazo (right). Lisa Flanagan is a Professor and Vice Chair for Academic Affairs in the Department of Neurology at UCI. She holds joint appointments in the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Anatomy and Neurobiology. Her research combines cell biology and bioengineering to decipher neural stem cell fate potential and optimize cell transplantation to treat neurological conditions. Her overall goal is to better understand stem cell function during brain development and to maximize repair of the central nervous system after debilitating conditions such as stroke. Before joining UCI, Professor Flanagan completed her Ph.D. at University of California, San Diego, and post doctoral training at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. She received a National Science Foundation CAREER Award, serves on the Editorial Board for Scientific Reports, is a fellow of the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, and has organized multiple international scientific conferences. Professor Flanagan has served two terms (six years) as an equity advisor in the School of Medicine, launching a new Hiring Incentive Program in the school and working with Dean Michael Stamos to build greater leadership focusing on equity. She worked with the School’s Office of Belonging, Equity and Empowerment to spearhead a new initiative to highlight school faculty, staff, students and programs. As an equity advisor, she raised awareness of the UCI Faculty Recruitment Inclusive Excellence Supplement as a lever to enhance faculty recruitments and created a new support program for assistant professors during COVID-19. Additionally, she has initiated and implemented efforts to expand faculty outreach and diversity metrics for planning and programming.

Congratulations to Long Bui (right) on being presented the Tom Angell Faculty Award by Vice Provost for Graduate Education Gillian Hayes (left). Long T. Bui is an Associate Professor of Teaching in the Global and International Studies Department. He seeks to cultivate inclusive academic communities founded on social justice. In addition to his teaching, Professor Bui mentors UCI students through his roles as DECADE faculty rep and as the director for various groups on campus: First-Generation Faculty Initiative, GIS undergrad studies, and the Center for Racial Healing. He was faculty advisor to PEP (Prison Education Project) and on the committee for LIFTED. He directs a summer program for low-income first-gen students every year in social sciences.

Congratulations to Karma Rose Zavita (left) on being presented the Tom Angell Graduate Student Award by Vice Provost for Graduate Education Gillian Hayes (right). Karma Rose Zavita is a fourth-year doctoral student studying campus-based sexual violence. Her passion for serving her community and mentoring students has grown at UCI through her involvement in the Graduate InterConnect Peer Mentoring program and the Graduate Student Career Advisory Board. She has also served as a co-chair on several committees in her home department, including Peer-mentoring, Comprehensive Exams, Social, and Strategic Communications Committees. With a colleague, she started and co-manages an undergraduate research lab and supports students in getting into graduate school. Outside of UCI, Ms. Zavita serves as the Graduate Representative for the Pacific Sociological Association and is involved in the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program. She plans to continue her career in higher education and looks forward to supporting as many students as she can.

Congratulations to Zefan Yao (left) on being presented the Tom Angell Post Doctoral Scholar Award by Vice Provost for Graduate Education Gillian Hayes (right). Zefan Yao is a postdoctoral scholar working in Professor Herdeline Ardoña’s group in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and he is also co-advised by Professor Maxx Arguilla in the Department of Chemistry. He received his B.S. in 2016 and Ph.D. in Chemistry in 2021 from Peking University. He has a broad background in organic chemistry, soft matter, conductive polymers and electronic devices. His recent research interest focuses on the self-assembly of peptide-based materials and related bioelectronic applications.

The City of Irvine invites the community to its inaugural Juneteenth Freedom Celebration. The free event will take place Sunday, June 19, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. at the Great Park Palm Court.

The celebration of freedom, hope, and joy honors the history and contributions of African Americans to the cultural fabric of our community and nation. The community is invited to learn about Black culture as well as the history and significance of Juneteenth through interactive activities, local organizations, and live performances.

OIE is a founding sponsor of this celebration.

The event is free and open to the public. Free parking is available on site. Food trucks will be available for visitors to purchase food.

More information at: cityofirvine.org/juneteenth

Join us for a virtual film screening and a discussion of the documentary Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America (2021) with Jeffrey Robinson, Founder and Executive Director of of the Who We Are Project on May 26 at 12 pm. RSVP at: https://buff.ly/3lqcvoA

It is Giving Day today! It is critical, now more than ever, that we continue to support programs like our Black Thriving Initiative, Confronting Extremism, Building Capacities for Exceptional Scholars, and Promoting public learning through an Inclusive Excellence Certificate Program. Please support us during at the links below:

Black Thriving Initiative: https://buff.ly/3FXfTAI
Office of Inclusive Excellence: https://buff.ly/3Lozuen

One more day until UCI Giving Day! Join us in funding UCI’s Black Thriving Initiative to fund another cohort of Thriving Scholars of 10 or more.
For more information regarding our Black Thriving Initiative, please visit us at: https://buff.ly/3FXfTAI

Please join us for in-person recognition and engaging presentations from a group of Chancellor's Inclusive Excellence Awardees. This forum honors scholarship of these distinguished faculty members and showcases some of their current work at UCI through facilitated conversations. RSVP and Event Details: https://buff.ly/3JdVd7y

Spring 2022 Black Thriving Initiative Modules
The purpose of this three-part course sequence is to examine anti-Black racism in the United States while advancing UCI’s commitment to inclusive excellence.
REGISTRATION AND INFORMATION:

Black Thriving Initiative Modules | Spring 2022 Why are people protesting in the streets and demonstrating in support of Black Lives? These courses are free and open to all campus members – undergraduates, graduate students, faculty staff, and UCI Alumni. Participants will meet online for one hour per week, for a total of five weeks. Each meeti...

The Office of Inclusive Excellence Certificate Program equips faculty, staff, students, and UCI Alumni to build and sustain a campus community where all expect equity, support diversity, practice inclusion, and honor free speech.

This spring, UCI community members will have an opportunity to participate in two new pilot courses. A new elective in the certificate program, Public Safety will recast the meaning of safety, security, and justice on the UCI campus. A new course for graduates of the Certificate Program, Inclusive Excellence in Practice will focus on scenarios activities to cultivate inclusive excellence and equity-mindedness as skills and competencies in the space of higher education.

REGISTRATION AND INFORMATION:

OIE Certificate Program | Spring 2022 The purpose of the Office of Inclusive Excellence Certificate Program is to equip faculty, staff, students, and UCI Alumni to build and sustain a campus community where all expect equity, support diversity, practice inclusion, and honor free speech. The program is comprised of three thematic courses...

Please share your thoughts about community safety at UCI’s campuses in this brief anonymous survey! Not only are you making sure your voice is heard, you could win a $75 Amazon gift card! https://tinyurl.com/UCICSS22

Examine anti-Black Racism in the U.S. while advancing UCI's commitment to inclusive excellence through the Black Thriving Initiative Modules

REGISTRATION AND INFORMATION:
https://bit.ly/3IxjpTv

Sign up for the the Office of Inclusive Excellence Certificate Program this winter. This program equips faculty, staff, students, and UCI Alumni to build and sustain a campus community where all expect equity, support diversity, practice inclusion, and honor free speech.

REGISTRATION AND INFORMATION:
https://bit.ly/3GspvCQ

Earn your Inclusive Excellence Certificate by joining the Office of Inclusive Excellence Certificate program at: https://bit.ly/38Acvft. Fall 2021 courses now available!

Help create a culture where all Black people can thrive! Join the Black Thriving Initiative Modules this fall at: https://bit.ly/3kRb2XE.

Thank you everyone who has supported the Black Thriving Initiative on Day! This was the first year that the initiative has launched and we are so grateful to see everyone come together. Your donation will help us carry out the mission to build a thriving culture for Black people. For those were unable to donate, we appreciate your allyship and commitment.

For more information on how you can further support the Black Thriving Initiative, visit inclusion.uci.edu.

The Black Thriving Initiative has raised over $4000! Let us keep up that momentum and support it at https://buff.ly/3sUuMMg

Together we can create a culture where Black people thrive!

There is still time to support the Office of Inclusive Excellence for

We bring passion, strategic vision, diverse expertise, and commitment to ensure the fundamental connections between inclusive excellence and advancing the campus’ mission as a public research university and community ally. Support inclusive excellence at https://buff.ly/3aOOZwR

starts now! Support the Office of Inclusive Excellence to help advance the Black Thriving Initiative, community, thriving, and wellness at UCI!

Go to: inclusion.uci.edu to find the Giving Day logo and follow the link to our 2021 Giving Day page.

Today is the day! Be sure to register to attend the Latino Excellence and Achievement Awards today at 5:30 PM PST.

Stay tuned as we will have a surprise guest speaker!

RSVP at: https://buff.ly/3cyzbzy

The 2021 Campus Climate survey has been extended to April 16! Take the anonymous survey at inclusion.uci.edu/climatesurvey

Vice Chancellor Doug Haynes discusses the impact of the Black Lives Matter movement, what's next, and the recently launched UCI Black Thriving Initiative on UCI Podcast: The future of social justice https://buff.ly/3jfmwSF