Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Who we are
The College of Arts and Letters (CAL) supports disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and cross-cultural approaches to major social, human, and environmental issues in the humanities and social sciences. We believe that our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community, and that this is underscored by our recognition as a federal Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) located on the lands of the Kumeyaay Nation.
Our vision
We recognize that imbalances of power, perspective, and privilege persist in higher education and in society. We acknowledge and address the diverse experiences of oppression, discrimination, and resistance that many face. Our community supports the dignity of all persons in order to establish and promote an environment in which all can thrive. Our college is stronger when we respect, engage with, promote, and sustain the intellectual and social contributions of members of diverse groups and approach our disciplines through multiple lenses.
Diversity Liaisons
Anne Donadey, Ph.D.
Professor, French and Women's Studies
Email: [email protected]
Roy Whitaker, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Study of Religion
Email: [email protected]
Diversity Plan
Update Spring 2025: In alignment with the next phase of our campus-wide strategic plan, We Rise We Defy: Transcending Borders, Transforming Lives, the College of Arts and Letters will spend the next several months evaluating progress toward the goals outlined in its 2020 diversity plan. We will also be planning the next iteration of the plan to align with the university’s second phase of the strategic plan, for the 2025-2030 period. Watch this space for updates and connect with our Diversity Council or Diversity Liaison to get involved!
Statements of Solidarity
SDSU’s College of Arts and Letters stands in solidarity with our Asian, Pacific Islander, and South Asian American communities. In light of recent horrific national violence, we reaffirm our commitment to support and denounce racism against this community.
During the past year, discrimination and violence against the APIDA community have increased. We condemn anti-Asian and gender-based violence, and any form of xenophobia. Among those murdered in Atlanta on March 16 were six women, reminding us all that violence, like identity, is intersectional.
As a liberal arts college that houses the Center for Asian and Pacific Studies, along with other ethnic and area studies programs, we are committed to providing culturally relevant curricula to give students the critical thinking skills necessary to help them understand cultural diversity and social justice issues.
One action you can take today is to sign the APIDA Pledge to create a welcoming and safe climate for our APIDA communities and to help us abolish hate.
The SDSU APIDA Resource Center provides support and resources to all members of the SDSU community, especially to APIDA students, faculty, and staff. Please reach out if you would like support by emailing the center at [email protected].
SDSU’s College of Arts and Letters stands in solidarity with our Black communities. We denounce racism in any form and violence against Black people, and we stand firm in our belief that Black lives matter.
As a community of university faculty and staff, it is our duty to actively support and advocate for solutions to systemic racism across our nation, the world, and our campus.
We are proud to house the departments of Africana Studies, Chicana and Chicano Studies, American Indian Studies, and the Center for Asian and Pacific Studies which, together with other departments and programs, help provide students with culturally relevant curricula, critical thinking skills, and accurate knowledge to critique white supremacy and promote social justice.
We commit to these ongoing actions:
- Equitable practices to include: hiring, retaining, and improving climate and success of Black and other underrepresented faculty, staff, and students
- Amplifying the voices of Black people through courses and co-curricular events
- Continuing to participate and encourage participation in anti-bias training
- Resourcing and supporting the work of our ethnic studies departments
- Resourcing and supporting faculty, staff, and programs that are making a positive difference for Black and other underrepresented people, on and off campus
- Identifying and addressing equity gaps
- Developing and implementing specific actions in support of these commitments through our diversity planning process and other initiatives