Inclusive Excellence

Since it was created five years ago, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion has been instrumental in setting the university’s vision and moving issues around diversity, equity and inclusion to the forefront, with its principles woven into many aspects of the Seattle University educational experience from academics to programming to systemic changes in policy.

Various campus partners and leaders came together on June 27 to celebrate this anniversary and the accomplishments made possible under the leadership of Vice President Natasha Martin, JD, and what she calls her “dream team.”

President Eduardo Peñalver opened the event by stressing the importance of the work of ODI and SU’s commitment to investing in programs and people that reflect the diversity and inclusivity so intrinsic to the mission, with a special call out to Martin, whom he called “a kindred spirit.” He also shared his experience when as an undergraduate student he felt that a lack of representation—of faculty and leadership that looked like him—led to a feeling of not belonging, of the “university not being our place.”

President Eduardo Peñalver

And he spoke of SU being in the moment and on the right side of history at a time when dozens of states are exploring, if not enacting, anti-diversity legislation, including bills targeting the LGBTQ+ community. President Peñalver noted that in some states, just the words “diversity” or “inclusion” are being scrubbed from literature, programs, curricula and more.

“Seattle University has and should continue to be a leader” in diversity, equity and inclusion work, said President Peñalver. “An institution of any scale really needs to have an office like this and I’m really proud to see where Seattle University is at.”

“We need to roll back the tide of anti-inclusion forces,” says Laura Heider, assistant vice president of ODI, who along with colleagues Paige Powers, Sue Theiss, Liz Trayner and outgoing Special Assistant to the Vice President Brooke Coleman comprise Martin’s “dream team.” At the event, Powers, Coleman and Heider related the story of the past, present and future of ODI, respectively. It was stressed that the office cannot do the work of inclusive excellence alone but rather it’s in partnership with the whole campus, “all of you,” Heider told those gathered.

During the event a video was played, revealing testimonials from several campus partners and alumni on the impact of the work of ODI and Martin in particular. “Congratulations ODI on five years. We are because you are,” said College of Education Dean Cynthia Dillard, PhD. “ODI has enhanced so many college experiences,” said Student Body President Isabelle Allamilla, ’25, who also received an award later in the evening for her work as a student representative.


A video featuring testimonials celebrating ODI was shown at the event.

“Leadership is not a singular endeavor,” said Martin, before launching into the awards portion of the evening, recognizing various campus partners in the DEI space, including faculty and staff, programs and departments and a member of the Board of Trustees. At the end, Provost Shane P. Martin presented VP Martin with the Inclusive Leadership Award honoring five years of exceptional service. Here are other award recipients honored at the event:

Faculty Award: Professor Frank Shih, PhD (Mechanical Engineering)
Staff Award(s): Senior Executive Coordinator Laura Knote (Office of the Provost)
and Director of Special Projects & Office Administration Nancy Carroll (Office of the Provost)
Student Award: Student Body President Isabelle Alamilla, ’25 (Double major: Business Management & Business Analytics)
Board of Trustees Award: Board of Trustee member Val Gorder (Chair of Trustees’ Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee)
Reigniting Our Strategic Directions Award: Director for Project Delivery and Change Management Morgan Frost (Strategic Directions)
Academic Area Team Award: Center for Faculty Development
Administrative Area Team Award: Marketing Communications
Special Award: Vice Dean for Academic Affairs & Fredric C. Tausend Professor of Law Brooke Coleman, JD (2022-2023 Special Assistant to the Vice President for Diversity & Inclusion)

While much has been accomplished of this past five years—including launching the Red Talks speaker series and the Racial Equity Summit and the implementation of the Campus Climate Incident Reporting and Response Protocol—the work continues with plans to enhance DEI programs and partnerships, including professional development opportunities for members of the campus community.

Martin called out the support from leadership that makes this work possible, in particular the support from President Peñalver and Provost Martin. “I have a phrase that sums up President Peñalver and Provost Martin: Empowered people empower people,” she said.

“This is legacy work,” Martin said. “My goal is to create an environment where everyone can be themselves—their whole self—and also be challenged. Inclusive excellence at Seattle University is all our work and therefore all our responsibility.”

Learn more about the work of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.