DEIB Newsletter

This October, several dozen SI students boarded a bus headed for Southern California and a life-changing weekend trip. They are part of the school's Magis program, an academic, social and cultural support program for students historically underrepresented at SI and institutions of higher education, and they were participating in the program's 13th annual college tour.

Sept. 15 marks the start of Latinx Heritage Month, which runs Sept. 15–Oct. 15. You might be asking, "Wait, is it Hispanic, Latino, or Latinx Heritage Month?"  Each term has its own cultural and socio-political distinction and connotation. We have included a brief breakdown on our Resources for Racial Literacy page that might help explain those differences, in addition to other links you might find of interest. These resources just scratch the surface of the complexity, diversity, and richness of the pan-ethnic Latinx culture, identity and experience.

St. Ignatius College Preparatory is committed to listening and learning from the lived experiences of current students, alumni, faculty and staff through continuous opportunities for dialogue and feedback. This includes creating an anti-bias, anti-racist culture, where members of our community who experience marginalization, racism, or any other form of oppression are empowered to share their experience and provided support for healing, restorative justice and reintegration/return to safety.

Kristel Nazzal ’99 facilitated the SI Alumni Townhall: A Discussion on Race in October 2020, then was hired shortly thereafter as our DEIB consultant. Kristel holds a Ph.D in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Diversity and Community Mental Health. Her research and experience is focused on minoritized experiences and mental health, inclusivity and belonging in educational and work settings. 

In support of SI's accreditation plan, confronting racism at SI, and our ongoing commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, a task force was convened in December 2020. The group was charged with reviewing the school’s inclusivity amongst students, faculty, staff, parents and guardians, and making recommendations to administration.