President Milliken meets with UC equity and inclusion leaders

University of California President James B. Milliken recently joined members of the UC Council of Vice Chancellors for Equity and Inclusion for a lunchtime discussion focused on the council’s important role and leadership in strengthening belonging and supporting campus communities throughout the university.

He opened by thanking Yvette Gullatt, Vice President for Graduate and Undergraduate Affairs; Vice Provost for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; and Chief Diversity Officer, for the invitation and shared his appreciation for the many people who work every day to expand educational access, retention, and completion for students of all backgrounds from across the state.

President Milliken reflected on how his career in higher education, spanning more than 35 years across North Carolina, Nebraska, New York, Texas, and now California, has been centered on a commitment to making education affordable and accessible to as many people as possible. “UC is a public good that should benefit everyone. As we build confidence in higher education, we have to remember that,” he shared.

He acknowledged the difficult national landscape for higher education and the growing complexity of the council’s work,  while emphasizing that the university’s commitments to its values remain steady — including free speech, academic freedom, rigorous but respectful debate, and a culture that welcomes students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds and beliefs.

In addition to Vice President and Vice Provost Yvette Gullatt, attendees included Fabrizio Mejia, Acting Vice Chancellor for Equity and Inclusion, UC Berkeley; Renetta Garrison Tull, Vice Chancellor for Inclusive Excellence, UC Davis; Dyonne Bergeron, Vice Chancellor for Inclusive Excellence, UC Irvine and Council Convenor; Ralina Joseph, Vice Provost of Inclusive Excellence, UCLA; Delia S. Saenz, Vice Chancellor and Chief Diversity Officer, UC Merced; Mariam Lam, Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, UC Riverside; Becky Petitt, Vice Chancellor for Organizational Transformation, UC San Diego; Renee Navarro, Vice Chancellor for Opportunity and Outreach, UCSF; and Anju Reejhsinghani, Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, UC Santa Cruz.

Marisa McAuliffe, Chief Policy Advisor, President’s Executive Office; Miya Haley, Executive Director, Strategic Communications and Events, Graduate, Undergraduate, and Equity Affairs; and Jessica Heredia, Director, Campus Climate and Equity Affairs, Graduate, Undergraduate, and Equity Affairs, also attended the event.