Two members of the CSE community have been honored with Inclusive Excellence Awards from UC San Diego for their contributions to a more diverse and inclusive community. Ph.D. student Ariana Mirian and Undergraduate Affairs Manager Veronica Abreu were recognized during an awards ceremony on February 4.
In January 2018, Mirian and two peers launched the CSE Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee, a grassroots organization that provides a platform for students, faculty and staff interested in change. The committee has grown to include more than 30 regular members. Mirian counts its formation as one of her proudest achievements.
Within the DEI committee, Veronica Abreu acts as a culture subcommittee co-lead, focusing on forward momentum and identifying social justice issues. She realized she felt “very frustrated” with power imbalances in society and decided to channel that into action.
With the help of a colleague, Abreu established a training workshop for advisors in her department, preparing staff to identify microaggressions. Abreu’s peers were exceptionally positive about the workshop.