Siena strives to embody the vision and values of St. Francis of Assisi, including his commitment to building a more just, peaceful, and humane world. We must recommit to strengthening the bonds of racial justice to fulfill that mission and ensure people of color in our community feel safe, accepted, appreciated and affirmed. This effort starts with education and conversation. It requires action. The College has established 11 action lines and will provide the most recent updates on each below. Previous actions can be found here.
Fall 2025
The President’s Advisory Council on Diversity and Inclusion (PACDI) held two meetings this fall: October 29 and December 8. The Council – which is composed of nearly 50 community members including students, faculty, and staff – convened this fall to introduce a refreshed structure designed to advance Siena’s institutional strategy for inclusion, belonging, and holistic student support. The new framework establishes five subcommittees to help coordinate and strengthen cross-functional work across the University.
The October PACDI meeting focused on aligning the subcommittees’ priorities with the University’s Strategic Plan. In October, the group also discussed “dialogue” as the framework and application used to help students, faculty, and staff navigate complex, emotionally charged, and identity-centered conversations.
This week, PACDI reconvened, so that the subcommittee could establish goals and priorities. Assistant Vice President for Mission Davina Mayo-Dunham ’20 is leading the effort alongside Vice President for Strategy, Communications, and Outreach Jason Rich ’98.
Each subcommittee has a defined charge:
- The Commuters group will work to enhance engagement, belonging, and access to resources for commuter students.
- The Service group will strengthen equity and accessibility in student service opportunities both on and off campus.
- The Wellbeing group will expand programs supporting students’ physical, emotional, and social wellbeing.
- The Pathways group will build bridges between the student and alumni experiences, encouraging continued connection.
- The Professional Development group will promote shared learning and growth opportunities for students, faculty, and staff.
With this new structure, PACDI aims to better coordinate and accelerate progress on initiatives that advance Siena’s values and strategic priorities. In January, the subcommittees will finalize their charters and outline key actions for 2026.