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, representatives from UCLA’s Staff Assembly offered insights on what EDI means to them as staff members.

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As a staff member and UCLA Administration Equity Advisor, I believe that equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) efforts promote inclusive spaces where staff bring their intersectionality of identities to the workplace and contribute diverse experiences, thought leadership, and perspectives to support UCLA's mission of education, research, and service. UCLA is a laboratory for professional development and learning, and EDI aims to level the playing field by providing various opportunities for access and support to develop diverse leadership pipelines along the employee life cycle. Conversations across difference foster individual self-awareness and learning, and such dialogues also cultivate cultures of respect, community, and innovation as reflected in the UCLA True Bruin values.

Dr. Anne Dela Cruz

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Equity, Diversity and Inclusion means everyone has a sense of Belonging. EDI initiatives start with us, and grow as we come together to implement change. I’ve seen first-hand the power of the UCLA community working together to activate EDI initiatives with leadership and within their own departments. Together we can achieve anything!

Morgan Eagle

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As a staff member, I try to learn how to understand the way that individuality and intersections of identities can lead to marginalization and how to eradicate these barriers in our communities to provide accessibility, accountability, and acceptance while being aware of our unconscious biases and how to manage them. We need to provide a safe and supportive environment for all Bruins by ensuring that those who may be at a disadvantage can receive the tools and resources they need to access the same opportunities; to recognize, respect, and celebrate all our differences and create an empowered culture of creativity and innovation through our different backgrounds and mindset; and to create an environment where everyone feels welcome, respected, and valued.

Grace Fransisca

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Clear and intentional policies that ensure equal opportunities for all employees and students – regardless of ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, size, disability, religion, or any other circumstance that may present a barrier to them – are imperative. Personally, I have found being a fat person on campus to be challenging. I'd love to go to an event at Pauley or Royce Hall, but I cannot comfortably fit in the seats and there are no alternative seating options. We must keep pushing the limits of what we think the definition of EDI is!

Kelly Goodman

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To me, equity, diversity, and inclusion means all types of people having a seat at the decision-making table and feeling comfortable to share their opinions. This allows for more voices being heard, different perspectives to be shared, and different circumstances to be taken into account. By doing such, EDI initiatives can better create an environment where all its staff members can not only succeed, but thrive.

Riana Olson

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As a staff member, diversity, equity, and inclusion means applying principles of anti-racism to center Black, Indigenous, and people of color in historically white-centric institutions and having the support system to do so.

Cory Rosas

Lucy Tseng by the bruin bear in ucla ackerman plaza

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EDI means the ability to not have to code switch in order to fit in in my workplace. I can be mindful and respectful of my colleagues AND be my true self at the same time. EDI exists when we all make sure we feel like we belong by cherishing our similarities and embracing our differences.

Lucy Tseng