Diversity and Belonging
The Pepperdine School of Public Policy (SPP) and SPP Diversity Committee provides
a forum for students, faculty, staff, and alumni to engage in events, professional
development, and mentorship opportunities that aim to build a diverse community founded
on a set of core values that strive toward academic excellence and a shared sense
of belonging with the understanding as noted in the Pepperdine University Diversity
Statement.
School of Public Policy's Committee Members
The SPP Diversity Committee consists of five members from the SPP community, which includes (at minimum):
- 1-2 Full time faculty
- 1 Alumnus
- 1-2 Staff member
- 1-4 Students
All committee members serve a term of one academic year with an option to renew. The 2022-2023 committee chair is Melissa Espinoza, director of strategic initiatives and student engagement at Pepperdine School of Public Policy.
Students interested in becoming members of the SPP Diversity Committee will be asked
to submit a statement of interest that will be reviewed by the chair. The alumni member
will be outreached by the chair at the beginning of each academic year.
Meetings
The committee will host 1 - 2 meetings per semester.
The committee chair will coordinate both in person and zoom meeting as needed.
Committee Goals
The School of Public Policy diversity committee will:
- focus on executing at least one (1) diversity event per semester
- strive to create a forum for diversity related issues throughout the University
- collaborate with the UDC on programming
- develop a mentorship/ resource program
2022-2023 Committee Members
- Melissa Espinoza, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Student Engagement
- Christopher Jones, Senior Director of Student Services
- Hattie Mitchelle (MPP '12)
- Jaimie Park, MPP 2nd Year Student
- Kirill Strakhov, MPP 2nd Year Student
Events
Date | Title | Speakers |
---|---|---|
Thursday, March 30, 2023 | Dress To Transgress |
Justice Sabrina McKenna, Associate Justice, Hawai'i Supreme Court; |
Monday, March 13, 2023 | Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking through the lens of Disability |
Various |
Tuesday, August 30, 2022 | SPP Diversity Welcome Event |
Jaimie Park, MPP 2nd Year Student; |
Saturday, March 26, 2022, | Art Therapy At Hope Gardens |
Little Light Hope |
February 17, 2022 | Exploration of the Kinsey Collection |
Weisman Museum of Art |
February 7, 2022 | POLICIES WITH IMPACT: A Conversation With Senator Henry Stern |
Senator Henry Stern |
April 12, 2021 | Impact of Great Recession Bank Failures on the Use of Financial Services Among Racial/Ethnic and Income Groups |
Presenter: Moderator: |
March 23, 2021 | Workshop on the Impact of COVID-19 on Latinas in California and Policy Solutions |
Panelists: Moderator: |
February 22, 2021 | Racially Diverse Leaders for Racially Diverse Cities |
Panelist: Moderator: Weclome Speaker: |