Fairfield University's commitment to diversity leads to reorganization of Multicultural Relations | Press Releases

In keeping with its commitment to making its campus more diverse, Fairfield University has announced a reorganization of its Center for Multicultural Relations. Moved just this year from the basement of Loyola Hall to highly visible offices in the John A. Barone Campus Center, the Center will now be home to two offices: the Office of Institutional Diversity Initiatives and the Office of Student Diversity Programs.

Fairfield's freshman class, with more than 18 percent AHANA students (African-American, Hispanic, Asian and Native-American), doubled the number of multicultural students that were admitted in the previous year's class. Under the new organization, William Johnson, who serves as Associate Director of Undergraduate Admission for Diversity, will now assume the added role of Director of Student Diversity Programs.

La'Kicia Fuller, who joined the center this year, has been named Assistant Director of Student Diversity Programs

In making the announcement, Mark C. Reed, vice president for student affairs, said, "A unique opportunity presented itself to create synergy between the recruitment and admission of students of diverse backgrounds and the programs and services that support these students once they are on campus. We are continuing in our plan to integrate diversity into residential life, student activities, and the first-year experience program for the student body as a whole."

Larri W. Mazon, who has served as director of the center, will assume the title of Director of Institutional Diversity Initiatives. He will continue in his role as chair of the Institutional Diversity Council, reporting to the President, and will oversee and take the lead role in the development and implementation of diversity initiatives that are broad-based and primarily serve or impact the institution as a whole. In addition, two TRIO programs - Academic Talent Search and Upward Bound - will report through the Office of Institutional Diversity Initiatives.

Mr. Reed said, "The advancement and promotion of diversity figure prominently in the strategic vision and plan of Fairfield University and are grounded in and integral to Fairfield's Jesuit and Catholic mission. Over the past several years, Fairfield University has undertaken several initiatives in support of diversity. I am confident that these organizational changes that support our shared vision for diversity at Fairfield will yield positive results for the entire Fairfield University community."