New Caltech Center for Inclusion and Diversity Director

To: The Caltech Community
From: Lindsey Malcom-Piqueux, Assistant Vice President for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Assessment
Date: July 29, 2021
Re: New Caltech Center for Inclusion and Diversity Director

I am delighted to announce that Tashiana Bryant, currently senior coordinator (interim) in the office of student life and cultural centers at Cal Poly Pomona, will join Caltech on August 30 as the director of the Center for Inclusion and Diversity (CCID).

A higher-education professional with more than a decade of experience with campus-based organizations that promote and support inclusive communities, Tashiana uses research to bridge theory and practice, and to develop effective approaches that foster a sense of belonging for historically minoritized and marginalized students, staff, and faculty. Building on the longstanding success and versatility of the CCID's education, advocacy, and allyship efforts, Tashiana will lead the development of programming and activities that build partnerships across campus, expand cultural awareness, and cultivate appreciation of, and capacity for, culturally affirming practices.

Tashiana earned a doctorate in educational leadership from Cal State Long Beach with a research focus on STEM pathways for historically minoritized and marginalized students. Throughout her career she has demonstrated a personal commitment to student success and to fostering strength in community. She has also participated extensively in campus-wide administrative and leadership committees and professional organizations focused on diversity and inclusion.

With Tashiana's hire, the CCID staff now comprises Tashiana, Taso Dimitriadis, Yazmin Gonzalez, Monique Thomas, Alison Tominga, and Marlene Moncada. As such, the roles and responsibilities of several CCID colleagues have been updated to better reflect their contributions to Caltech.

Taso Dimitriadis, who has served as the interim CCID director since late January 2021, will resume the Associate Director role where he leads the Freshman Summer Research Institute (FSRI) and develops programming and activities for Caltech's LGBTQIA+ community.
Yazmin Gonzalez, who joined the CCID as Assistant Director in February, will continue in this capacity and as act as the Lead for Education and Campus Engagement. In this role, Yazmin will act as the primary contact for the CCID's mentoring programs and its trainings and workshops, which are intended to educate the Caltech community on IDEA issues and build institutional capacity for inclusive practice.
Monique Thomas is now Program Manager for Advocacy and Campus Relations, a role that positions her as the primary contact for the CCID's efforts to work with campus partners to support academic and co-curricular learning and success among students from historically minoritized and underserved populations. Monique will continue to promote belonging, community, and identity development among FSRI program participants.
Alison Tominaga is now the Program Manager for Allyship and Campus Outreach. In this role, Alison will be the lead for the Caltech Diversity and Inclusion Ambassador (CDIA) Program and CCID's other activities intended to promote allyship and inclusivity across the Caltech community. Alison will also be the primary advisor for Caltech's Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Desi American (AAPIDA+) student organizations
Marlene Moncada will continue in her role as the CCID's department administrator.

I am grateful to all of the individuals in our community who contributed to the search process, including individuals from the President's Diversity Council; the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Outreach; Student-Faculty Programs; the Office of Residential Experience; International Student Programs; the Title IX/Equity Office; the Center for Advising and Experiential Learning; and the deans' offices.

Please join me in thanking Taso for his service and dedication to the CCID and in welcoming Tashiana to Caltech and to the helm of a talented organization.