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�������� is committed to CAMPOS: Center for the Advancement of Multicultural Perspectives on Science.

Campus leaders made that clear during the induction ceremony for the university’s newest CAMPOS Faculty Scholars: Fawn A. Cothran, Wilsaan M. Joiner, Rose Kagawa and James A. Letts. They are new to ��������, recruited by CAMPOS in its mission to change the face of STEM by building faculty diversity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“In a state with rapidly changing demographics like California, it’s essential that we strive for inclusive excellence and equity,” Chancellor Gary S. May said in his remarks at the induction ceremony held Nov. 7 at the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art.

Under the leadership of founding director Mary Lou de Leon Siantz, professor in the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, CAMPOS established itself in 2012 as a research center to promote the discovery of knowledge by supporting women in science, starting with Latinas. “It continues to expand its mission by increasing multicultural perspectives in science that are diverse, inclusive and reflect our global society,” de Leon Siantz said.

Original funding came from �������� ADVANCE, which in 2012 with a $3.725 million, five-year grant from the National Science Foundation’s ADVANCE program. The federal funding has run its course, but CAMPOS remains in place.

“University leadership believes that the important work of CAMPOS must continue and become even more impactful,” Ralph J. Hexter, provost and executive vice chancellor, said at the ceremony. “Given that the program must first be sustainable if it is to survive and advance, we are very happy that CAMPOS has moved from its original home in ADVANCE to operate as a joint program of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs. “This administrative migration will increase the stability of CAMPOS and give it a secure home at the center of university operations.”

Today, de Leon Siantz continues as the CAMPOS director, working closely with Raquel Aldana, associate vice chancellor for Academic Diversity; and Phil Kass, vice provost of Academic Affairs.

Acknowledging “how far we have come in the seven years since �������� received its landmark ADVANCE award,” Kass took time to recognize the people who were instrumental in making it happen: Linda Katehi, chancellor emerita and distinguished professor, and principal investigator; Linda Bisson, professor emerita and ADVANCE co-director; and co-principal investigators Adela de la Torre, vice chancellor and distinguished professor emerita; Karen McDonald, professor; Ray Rodriguez, professor emeritus; and Maureen Stanton, vice provost and distinguished professor emerita.

“Our university understands the importance an institutional transformation grant has in permanently altering its academic landscape,” Kass said. “Successful new programs mean little without an enduring legacy that is assimilated into the DNA of this university, so that they can live on and evolve along with the university’s community.

“Academic Affairs is proud to play a role in the sustainability of the components of our ADVANCE program — ones that we believe in, and that meaningfully touch the lives of our colleagues.”

‘Exactly what this campus needs’

CAMPOS has inducted 25 CAMPOS Faculty Scholars since 2014. “They are expert minds and role models that our scientific community needs,” Chancellor May said. “They are exactly what this campus needs.”

Regardless of their academic disciplines, Chancellor May said, each CAMPOS Faculty Scholar has a key thing in common: “They are not only grooming the next generation of scientists, they serve as role models and mentors to attract minority students interested in STEM to ��������.

“They are also a great inspiration to those who are already here. They’re showing that success in STEM can take on many faces, many backgrounds and many perspectives.”

Hexter recognized CAMPOS for the many ways it seeks to increase the visibility of the Faculty Scholars and create a community of inclusive excellence.  For we know that it is not enough to open the door to multicultural perspectives through hiring alone. If a university is to equitably serve its faculty, it must create the conditions necessary for all faculty to succeed, excel, and thrive.”

CAMPOS Faculty Scholars, 2018-19

Fawn A. Cothran, assistant professor, Family Caregiving Institute, Betty Irene