EDI Voices

Welcome to EDI Voices! In this forum, we center the diverse voices and experiences of people throughout our UCLA community and highlight important contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion.

For this issue of EDI Voices, members of UCLA’s own EDI Team offered insights on what equity, diversity and inclusion means to them.

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As a Title IX team member, equity, diversity, and inclusion means listening, learning, and constantly putting into practice efforts to make all of UCLA feel supported, whoever they are and for whatever reason they came to our office.

Vanessa Himeles

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People often come to our office looking for a workshop or article to help them navigate our rapidly changing world. But sometimes we find ourselves in uncharted territory and need a compass. The questions point the way: How can I listen better? What would an equitable and inclusive world look like? How can we treat everyone with respect and dignity? How can we recognize our shared humanity?

Lillie Hsu

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I think [equity, diversity, and inclusion] means embracing and appreciating the perspectives and contributions of people from various backgrounds by cultivating an environment and culture that provides the same treatment, access, and opportunities to all.

Nicole Lewis

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Equity, diversity and inclusion means all identities are valued, represented, and given the equal opportunity to succeed. While EDI at UCLA is everyone’s work, it is my goal as an EDI staff member to help create a learning environment in which students feel heard and can thrive at UCLA and beyond.

Anyssa Llerena

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[Equity, diversity, and inclusion] means protecting civil rights through uplifting diverse voices and building community with collaborative communication. Advocating for equality and thinking collectively as a team provides the opportunity for everyone to feel welcomed, engaged, and valued.

Genevieve Mayer

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To me, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace means being able to bring your whole self to work and in turn, being valued, heard, and respected.

Adriana Ovalle-Stevenson

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[Equity, diversity, and inclusion], for me, starts with kindness and compassion. It is about setting aside my ego and defenses so that I can truly listen to other voices. It is about consciously working to understand my own privileges and disadvantages. It is about respect. Working in an EDI office gives me the opportunity to grow and give to something that is bigger than me.

Carli Straight