ABOUT THE ACADEMIC DIVERSITY PROGRAM

The UCSF Academic Diversity Program is directed by J. Renee Navarro, PharmD, MD, who leads UCSF’s efforts to implement initiatives to nurture and enhance diversity among faculty and trainees, including students, residents and postdoctoral scholars. Appointed in October 2007, Navarro is the first person to hold the position of director of academic diversity, a post created as part of 10 key outcomes outlined in UCSF’s diversity initiative. Nurturing diversity is also one of seven top priorities outlined in the UCSF Strategic Plan, a blueprint to guide the University’s direction and development over the next decade. Navarro serves as the point person for ensuring the advancement and timely completion of academically related diversity initiatives at UCSF and for coordinating with relevant systemwide committees. As a member of the Diversity Leadership Group, Navarro works with A. Eugene Washington, MD, executive vice chancellor and provost; Sally Marshall, PhD, vice provost of Academic Affairs; Joseph Castro, PhD, vice provost of Student Academic Affairs; Bobby Baron, MD, chair of the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Academic Diversity (CACAD); Lisa Cisneros, assistant director of Public Affairs; and the deans of the four professional schools and the Graduate Division to enhance diversity at UCSF. Navarro also serves as a member of CACAD, which is working to implement a comprehensive communication program, establish a new faculty database, develop best practices for faculty searches and establish a coordinated outreach program, among other activities. Navarro is assisted in her role by Misty Loetterle, coordinator of the Academic Diversity Program. Loetterle represents the director by serving as a primary information point person and liaison with the chancellor’s office, deans’ offices, other campus administrators, faculty and professional colleagues on a wide range of diversity issues. She oversaw the campuswide implementation of and maintains the Academic Demographic System (ADS), a new database that tracks faculty searches and applicant demographics, and captures current workforce and availability data. Loetterle works closely with department managers and staff to ensure that they receive appropriate training on the ADS and that all faculty searches and applicants are recorded in the system. She and Navarro assist search committees to ensure they have the information needed to effectively conduct a faculty search and attract the most diverse and qualified applicant pool.