Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

Welcome from L&S Dean Estella Atekwana

Estella Atekwana, Dean of the UC Davis College of Letters and Science

Dear Colleagues,

Letters and Science is the largest college at UC Davis, and we represent a wide breadth of diversity. We are tremendously diverse in our backgrounds, cultures and life experiences. As scholars, we work in a broad range of disciplines and ways of thinking about the world. This incredible diversity strengthens and enriches every aspect of what we do.

We welcome you to engage with our L&S Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee as we expand the college's efforts to build and maintain a culturally diverse and globally conscious community that fosters inclusive excellence where all members and voices are valued, nurtured, supported and celebrated.

Our faculty are leading experts on diversity, equity and inclusivity, and are a resource for each other and for our colleagues across campus. Our DEI Committee will create access to our faculty’s research and publications across disciplines that provide leading-edge best practices for advancing DEI among our faculty, staff and students.

We subscribe to the UC Davis Principles of Community and the Boldly Go campus strategic plan. Right now, we are crafting our own strategy, aligned with these linked visions, to define how we will promote and support our diversity within L&S and ensure a community where people from all backgrounds can thrive.

Strength through our diversity is one our defining characteristics in L&S, and supporting this diversity is a critical investment in our future. Thank you for joining us in this work.

Estella Atekwana
Dean, UC Davis College of Letters and Science

Letters and Science Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee

The College of Letters and Science DEI Committee advises the dean and academic leadership on targeted efforts and priorities to support diversity, equity and inclusion related to faculty, staff and students. Members of the DEI Committee serve a two-year term. The inaugural group began its work in fall 2023.

The DEI Committee is guided by the UC Davis Principles of Community and the Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision. It also aligns with the UC Davis “To Boldly Go” strategic plan in embracing diversity, practicing inclusive excellence, striving for equity and supporting a culture that values the contributions and aspirations of all our students, staff and faculty.

The DEI Committee’s efforts will include:

• Input on strategic investments to enhance and promote DEI efforts in the college and conduct DEI climate and engagement analysis to inform sustainable DEI initiatives.
• Supporting the university-wide effort to develop and implement policies that enhance diversity on our campus and liaise with the UC Davis Office of DEI to identify and help implement best practices supporting diversity across the college.
• Working closely with the departments and college leadership to develop and expand programs for undergraduate and graduate student success and inclusion and to support and expand programs to recruit, retain and recognize diverse faculty, staff and students.
• Highlighting the unique diversity, equity and inclusion contributions of L&S to the overarching culture of our campus.