Dean's Message

Leadership and Diversity Statement

I pledge in all activities of service to inspire, empower, and support others in their pursuit of happiness, goodness, and truth. The words of Toni Morrison provide a context for my conception of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging "When you get these jobs that you have been so brilliantly trained for, just remember that your real job is that if you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else."

Throughout my life, I have strived to empower students and fellow colleagues so that they may create avenues of achievement and self-fulfillment. It is my belief that the greatest gift we can give someone is to facilitate their awareness of possibilities, so that they may unfold and develop their wisdom while gaining the skills that will assist in creating a better future. This process of empowerment is done through the lens of inclusive excellence with a steadfast commitment to inclusivity and equal access.

As a professional in higher education, I provide the foundational support for the cultivation of a zeal and love for learning, stimulate the motivation to embark on a quest for knowledge, and provide a learning environment where students, faculty, and staff can discover, scrutinize critically, and transmit knowledge with compassion, empathy, and care for the good of humankind.

I promote a culture of learning, discovery, and engagement with equal access and equity, promoting a love for diversity and inclusion where safety and well-being are at the center of our objectives. I am committed to helping others to reach their goals and fulfill their vision through service, personal accountability, teamwork, creativity, innovation, and hard work while fostering a safe and nurturing environment where student-centered learning thrives.

Dr. Javier Clavere
Dean, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences