A Message From the President and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Dear Leo Family,

As a country and as a community, we again find ourselves grappling with painful, but all too familiar, issues around power, privilege, oppression, and racism.

For the many among us who belong to or advocate for historically marginalized groups, each new incident of injustice or inequity, whether near or far, brings fresh anger, frustration, and exhaustion. As a university community, we must acknowledge and respect this anguish, bring comfort and love to those who are hurting, and remember that injustice is enabled by the silence of bystanders.

We reaffirm our commitment to our core values, specifically that of diversity and inclusivity. These two words have power, and it is our responsibility to live them at the University of La Verne and beyond.

Diversity is an active and intentional commitment to support and embrace difference for the sake of expanding knowledge, educating, and developing individuals. Inclusion is the intentional engaging of persons and groups while seeking to understand and support community.

We must continue to hold ourselves and each other accountable for supporting, embracing, understanding, and educating those around us. We must remember to speak up and out when we witness injustice, respect and value others even when there are differences of opinion, be a part of the solution by contributing our knowledge and energy towards inclusive efforts, and seek to understand and affirm diverse perspectives.

Although the pandemic keeps us physically distanced, we will stay together in community to do this important work. Our Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and our Office of Religious and Spiritual Life remain open to you and will continue to provide us with leadership, strength, and support.

As #LeosTogether, we will continue to strive to ensure safety, respect, and inclusion in our classrooms and on our campuses. Thank you for representing the University of La Verne with love!

Sincerely,

Devorah Lieberman, PhD
President

Alexandra M. Burrel, PhD
Associate Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion