University Diversity Council
About Us
The Pepperdine University Diversity Council (UDC) is a University-wide council composed
of faculty, staff, and students who join with senior management in a collaborative
effort to create strategic plans and goals for diversity in alignment with our Christian
mission and vision. This involves implementing programs that increase and enhance
student, faculty, and staff diversity at all levels of the University.
Diversity Statement
Pepperdine is a Christian University fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Our faith cherishes the sacred dignity of every human being and celebrates diversity
as a true representation of God's love and creative expression. We endeavor to build
a diverse community that fully engages the transformative educational process across
expressions of human difference. Therefore, we strive toward academic excellence and
a shared sense of belonging with the understanding that a broad range of diverse perspectives
enriches the quality of our learning, scholarship, and leadership.
University Diversity Council Charter
View the UDC council charter.
Council Meeting Agenda and Minutes
View the UDC Agendas & Minutes.
Council Membership
April Akinloye
Assistant Vice President for Community Belonging
Office of Community Belonging
Sara Barton
University Chaplain
Office of the Chaplain
Rebecca Campos
Director, Intercultural Affairs
Student Affairs
Lila Carlsen
Associate Provost
Office of the Provost
Associate Professor of Hispanic Studies
Seaver College
La Shonda Coleman
Associate Dean of Student Affairs
Title IX Coordinator
Student Affairs
Tanya Cooper
Assistant Clinical Professor
Caruso School of Law
Bryant Crubaugh
Co-Chair, Seaver Diversity Council
Assistant Director of Engagement Programs
Seaver College
Jamila Cupid
Assistant Professor of Public Relations
Seaver College
Robert DeMayo
Associate Dean and Professor of Psychology
Graduate School of Education and Psychology
Melissa Espinoza
Assistant Director of Engagement and Programs
School of Public Policy
Nate Ethell
Senior Director of Communications and Brand Development
Integrated Marketing Communications
Jaye Goosby-Smith
Co-Chair, University Diversity Council
Vice President for Community Belonging
Chief Diversity Officer
Office of Community Belonging
Terra Hall
Associate Dean of Student Affairs for
Diversity and Belonging
Student Affairs
Sandra Harrison
Executive Director
Office of Student Accessibility
Seta Kahjarian
Associate Provost for Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment
Office of Institutional Effectiveness
Bernice Ledbetter
Dean of Student and Alumni Affairs
Graduate School of Education and Psychology
Eric Leshinsky
Director, Student Veteran Affairs
Valerie Nowacki
Director of Graziadio Talent Management, Student Systems
Graziadio Business School
Chalak Richards
Assistant Dean of Student Life, Diversity, and Belonging
Caruso School of Law
Mark Roosa
Dean
Pepperdine Libraries
Elizabeth Smith
Assistant Professor of Communication
Seaver College
Britta Steinbrenner
Chief of Public Safety
Public Safety
Eric Wilson
University Church of Christ
Maria Wright
Director of Talent Management
Graduate School of Education and Psychology