Diversity & Inclusion

Office of University Diversity and Inclusion

Who We Are

Mission 

The Office of University Diversity and Inclusion (OUDI) at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is grounded in a mission woven together by academic excellence, social responsibility, equity, and the pursuit of justice. The office provides leadership, resources, and support to enhance campus climate and foster an equitable and inclusive environment for every member of the Cal Poly community. We are committed to embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion in policy, practice, and in our purposeful efforts to cultivate a culture of belonging where each individual feels valued, supported, and empowered.

Vision

Our vision is to be a dynamic campus not defined by our challenges but driven by them. Our aim is to serve as catalysts propelling us toward excellence as a premier Polytechnic University, where diversity is invaluable, inclusion is championed, and equity is embedded into every facet of our institutional strength.

Excellence driven by diversity, with equity at its center. 

Values

Kinship: Cultivating communities grounded in collective care
Intersectional Inclusion: Uplifting historically marginalized voices

Transformational Change: Facilitating Equity through informed action

Radical Hope: Empowered by revolutionary joy

DEI Internship

The Office of University Diversity and Inclusion runs a internship for undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in DEI projects. This project based internship allows for students to work in their specific areas of interest while supporting the OUDI office and its mission on campus.

DEI Enrichment Funding

The Office of University Diversity and Inclusion (OUDI) is committed to advancing diversity and inclusion through education, advocacy, and engagement to promote a culture of respect, equity, and social justice. DEI enrichment funding is available to support on-campus events and programming that enhance the campus climate and foster an inclusive and equitable environment for all students, faculty, and staff. 

Faculty Development Programs

The Office of University Diversity and Inclusion works with the Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT) on the Building Towards Equity Faculty Development Program. This program scaffolds DEI learning to develop faculty awareness, knowledge, and skills around issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in teaching and learning.

Community Partners

The Office of University Diversity and Inclusion works with various groups in the SLO community to support DEI efforts. We partner to bring diverse speakers to the area, host events, and foster relations between the University and the community.

Contact Information

Email: diversity@calpoly.edu

BEACoN Email: BEACoN@calpoly.edu

Telephone: (805) 756-2250

Location: Administration Building (Bldg 1), Room 209

Gold Divider LineOUDI Staff

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Dr. Denise Isom

she/her/hers

Vice President for Diversity & Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer

Education

Ph.D., Anthropology of Education, Loyola University of Chicago 

M.A., Education; B.A., African American and African Studies, University of California, Davis

Contact info

Office: Bdg1-Rm 209-C

Email: disom@calpoly.edu

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Dr. Jennifer Teramoto Pedrotti

she/her/hers

Associate Vice President for DEI Academic initiatives 

Education

Ph.D., M.S., Counseling Psychology, University of Kansas

B.A., Psychology; B.A., English, University of California, Davis

Contact info

Office: Bdg1-Rm 209

Email: jpedrott@calpoly.edu

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Dr. Beya Makekau

she/her/hers

Assistant Vice President for Strategic Planning & Networks

Education

Ed.D., Educational Leadership & Administration, Fresno State University 

M.A., B.A., Ethnic Studies, San Francisco State University & University of Oregon 

Contact info

Office: Bdg1-Rm 209-D

Email: bmakekau@calpoly.edu

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Diana Ortiz Giron

she/her/ella

Director of Programming, Communication, & DEI Education

Education

M.Div., Harvard University

B.A., History & Minor in Chicana/o Latina/o Studies - Pomona College

Contact info

Office: Bdg1-Rm 209-B

Phone: (805) 756-7242

Email: dortizgi@calpoly.edu

 
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Megan Rivoire

she/they

Executive Administrative Assistant

Education

BFA., Art & Design, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Contact info

Office: Bdg1-Rm 209

Phone: (805) 756-2250

Email: mrivoire@calpoly.edu

OUDI Faculty & Staff Fellows 

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Dr. Sarah Macdonald 

she/her/hers

Assistant Director / Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Instruction

Education

Ph.D., Sociology, University of California Berkeley 

M.A., B.A., Sociology,University of California Berkeley & Smith College

Contact info

Email: smacdo05@calpoly.edu

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Dr. Kelly Bennion

she/her/hers

Associate Professor,BEACoN Research Mentoring Program Faculty Fellow

Education

Ph.D., Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Boston College 

MEd, Mind, Brain, and Education, Harvard University & B.S., Psychology & Spanish, Middlebury College 

Contact info

Email: kbennion@calpoly.edu

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Dr. Joni Roberts

she/her/hers

Assistant Professor,Faculty Fellow, Black Initiatives 

Education

Dr.P.H.Public Health with an emphasis in Health Education, Loma Linda University

M.A.T. Elementary Education, American University, 2009 

B.A. Political Science, Washington Adventist University, 2005

 

Contact info

Email: jrober81@calpoly.edu

Related Content

Giving

Giving to OUDI

Support OUDI

BEACoN Program

Learn more about the BEACoN Mentoring Program

BEACoN Research Scholars

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Cal Poly

Learn more about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Cal Poly

Learn more about diversity, equity, and inclusion at Cal Poly

DEI at Cal Poly

Report an Incident

Report an Incident

Report a bias incident to the Bias Incident Report Team

Report an Incident

Campus Partners

Connect with OUDI's campus partners

Campus Partners