Diversity Statement

Rooted in the inclusive values of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and the Catholic tradition, Notre Dame de Namur University is dedicated to meeting the evolving educational needs of our diverse society. Our purpose drives our creation of an environment of belonging and participation in which we actively embrace and affirm the benefits of differences. We work to provide a safe space for each member of our learning community to bring their authentic self and to thrive.

At NDNU we celebrate and respect the full spectrum of human experiences and intersectionality. Aspects of diversity encompass, but are not limited to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, socioeconomic status, cultural background, country of origin, and age.

Our efforts to recognize and enhance the importance and benefits of diversity are integrated into various aspects of university life, including student recruitment, curriculum development, student activities, staffing, campus infrastructure, community engagement, events, and professional development programs.

Diversity Council

The Diversity Council meets monthly to advise the President on ways to implement a comprehensive program for the development of a multi racial, multicultural, inclusive community. Members actively facilitate and promote ongoing opportunities for campus-wide discussion relating to diversity, create an environment that fosters behaviors that model an appreciation of diversity, report annually to the University constituency on the work of the council and progress made toward stated goals, and revise stated goals as needed.

Current membership:

Bobby Vaughn (Chair), Director of the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion
Erica Dominguez, Director, STARS Grant
Caryl Hodges, Dean, School of Education
Marta Sniezek, Advancement Associate
Kelli Little, Clinical Psychology
Kelly Delaney, School of Education
Mary Haesloop, Human Resources
Nicole Dow, Curriculum Design Specialist
Rachel Paprocki, Library
Susan Charles, School of Education
Tanya Tran, Dean of Enrollment Management
Terry Jacobs, School of Education
Vienna Xing, Admissions Counselor
Linnaea Knisley, Student
Elena Gettis, Student
Mahesh Dulal, Student
Maxx Rodriguex, Student
Shuchi Dani, Student
Cindy Aguilar, Student
Adili Skillin, Student
Christina Maryannis, Student

Belong Network

NDNU is an active member of the Belong Consortium, a network of Council for Independent Colleges member institutions dedicated to making their campuses more welcoming and inclusive. Designed in partnership with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE), Belong offers a suite of professional development resources for faculty and staff to support student belonging in class and campus-wide. Belong equips faculty and staff with evidence-based skills and knowledge that increase student belonging and advance campus retention efforts and reflects NDNU’s mission and values.

Belong Cornerstone Webinars

Connections Are Everything: Fostering Campus Cultures of Learning, Belonging, and Thriving

The Value of Mission-Driven Teaching Excellence

Best Practices to Create an Inclusive Campus Environment

Inclusive Teaching Toolkit

As seen in the ACUE resource: “Student Success through Exceptional Teaching.”

Recipients of Belong Microcredential

Erica Dominguez, 2023
Summer Bruni, 2023
Bobby Vaughn, 2023
Kelly Vaughn, 2023
Marta Sniezek, 2023
Julie Constantino, 2024
Hannah Yannow, 2024
Sharon O’Neil, 2024
Terese Martin, 2024
Holden Reyes, 2024

Student Resources

Undergraduate and Graduate Students at NDNU have access to a broad range of support services, including but not limited to social, emotional, and academic support; career assistance; and financial help. These services supplement academic programming by providing counseling, mentoring, career development, and financial support to assist our students to stay enrolled and complete a degree.

Student Accessibility Services

Disability Resource Center

NDNU STARS Program Supporting Transfer Students

As a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), NDNU leverages a Title V Federal grant to support the STARS project, a cornerstone initiative for undergraduate students transitioning from community colleges as well as those following traditional pathways. This program is a testament to NDNU’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity, reflecting our HSI designation’s core values.

Focus Areas

The STARS project at NDNU targets three critical areas to support our students:

Transfer and Articulation: Streamlining the transition for students transferring from community colleges, ensuring a smooth and integrated educational journey.
Retention and Graduation: Providing the necessary resources and support to ensure students stay on track to successfully complete their degrees.
Professional Development: Offering opportunities for students to develop essential skills and prepare for their future careers.

As an HSI, NDNU is uniquely positioned to empower students from diverse backgrounds to achieve their academic and career goals. The STARS project is a reflection of our commitment to this mission, fostering an environment where all students can thrive.

Find out more about STARS and other NDNU Grant programs.

Resources for Graduate Students

E3@NDNU: Supporting our Graduate Students in all their Diversity

E3@NDNU is designed to significantly enhance the educational journey and professional development of our graduate students through a comprehensive suite of support services and programs. With this grant, NDNU proudly offers:

Development of the MA DEI Leadership Program: A groundbreaking master’s program focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Leadership, preparing future leaders to create inclusive environments in all sectors.
Comprehensive Support Services: Our graduate students will benefit from an expanded range of services tailored to their needs, including counseling, mentoring, career development, and financial/scholarship support. These services aim to ensure that every student has the resources and guidance necessary to thrive academically and professionally.
Professional Development Opportunities: Recognizing the importance of culturally-responsive practices, NDNU is dedicated to providing professional development opportunities for faculty and staff. These initiatives are designed to enhance our community’s ability to support a diverse student population effectively.

This federal funding is not just an investment in NDNU; it’s an investment in our students’ futures and in building a more inclusive world.

Supporting Indigenous Students: Planting Seeds of Success

Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU) is proud to offer programs that support the academic, personal, and cultural success of Native American students through our “Planting Seeds” initiatives. These programs reflect NDNU’s commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment.

The Planting Seeds for Indigenous Success Scholarship provides $5,000 annually to Native American students to help cover tuition, books, housing, and other educational expenses. Open to undergraduate and graduate students with demonstrated financial need, the scholarship emphasizes academic achievement and community involvement.

Complementing the scholarship, the Planting Seeds Native American Student Mentorship Program connects Native American students with experienced mentors who offer culturally relevant guidance and support. This program aims to enhance academic success, foster personal growth, and build a community of encouragement and resilience. Mentors are drawn from NDNU faculty, staff, and broader professional networks, creating a robust support system tailored to each student’s goals.

Together, these initiatives exemplify NDNU’s dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion, providing meaningful opportunities for Native American students to thrive and lead in their communities.

Master of Arts in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leadership

The MA DEI Leadership at NDNU is an interdisciplinary program designed to train effective, informed, and agile leaders who understand the complex terrain of inequality, bias, and social justice and who are prepared to lead organizational change and transformation. The program focuses on leadership competencies, deep knowledge in the field, and applied diversity, equity, and social justice experiences. Substantial grant support enables comprehensive support of students who choose this program as well as the chance to design and implement change in their professional and personal communities.

Notre Dame de Namur University is an equal opportunity employer firmly committed to non-discrimination in its hiring and other employment practices and personnel policies. In compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, except where a bona fide occupational qualification exists, NDNU will make employment decisions irrespective of the staff member’s race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age (except for minors), sex, marital status, citizenship status, military service status, sexual orientation, medical condition (a cancer-related or genetic condition), disability and/or any another status protected by law. When necessary, the NDNU will reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities if they are otherwise qualified to perform all essential functions safely and do it without undue hardship to the NDNU. Inquiries regarding the College’s equal opportunity policies should be directed to the Human Resources Department via email at hr@ndnu.edu. NDNU admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.

Mark Dee

Magellan Solutions USA launched under the visionary leadership of Mark A. K. Dee, Chief Executive Officer – a consultant and service provider for healthcare administrative support, IT development, energy, call center, and business process outsourcing. Mark has served in various multi-level management positions in his 21 years of service in the United States Air Force (USAF). He performed as Immunology and Microbiology department manager, Medical Laboratory Assistant Director, Facility and Security Manager, and finally retiring in the military in 2008 as Superintendent/Assistant Chief of Operations of 330 personnel Medical Group. Mark has experiences in the services industries since he retired, including running a restaurant chain as the CEO. He has also developed other businesses in the Martials Arts studio and 3d-printing industries. He has a BS in Health Sciences and Hospital Administration, Board Certified in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Graduated in the Senior Executive Leadership School from the USAF, Master’s in Business Administration, and a Master’s of Science in Systems Management at Notre Dame De Namur University.

Chosen Cheng

Chosen Cheng is owner of CMC Group, a privately held engineering and marketing consultancy for small business startup ventures. He currently works with project teams developing patented award-winning solar roofing systems and patent pending drone-based augmented reality geological and thermal mapping solutions. He was formerly a Silicon Valley marketing and innovative corporate training manager. As an avocation and a way to “pay it forward” he enjoys teaching and career coaching college and graduate MBA students many of whom are pioneering first generation college students from underserved communities. He and his wife, a Notre Dame alum, celebrated their wedding reception at the Ralston Mansion in the 70’s and have two stupendously successful, married adult children who between them have four stupendously adorable grandchildren.

Arthur Chait

Entrepreneur, Executive, Engineer, Investor, Professor, Mentor. Founder & CEO EoPlex Inc. ($31 million VC funded startup acquired by ASTI Singapore). President Stanford Research Institute (SRI) Consulting Division (800 staff worldwide). SVP Flextronics (responsible for $8 Billion in global accounts). President Zitel Software. Principal Booz Allen. R&D Director Halliburton. Adjunct Professor Menlo College, Visiting Professor Universidad Francisco Marroquin (Guatemala), Mentor Draper University, Judge Startup Chile. BS Engineering Rutgers, MBA Strategy University Pittsburgh.

Kelly Cansler

Kelly completed both her BS (Finance/Economics) and MBA from NDNU. She utilized her business education to launch an insurance agency in 2008 with Farmers Insurance. It’s grown into multi-million-dollar agency, organically and through acquisition. She has been recognized by Farmers Insurance being ranked within the top 10% of agents nationwide, but also as a speaker, trainer, and mentor within the Farmers Insurance Community. Kelly is extremely connected with local businessowners through several networking channels.

Cliff Burnette

Cliff is the senior vice president and chief human resources officer at Rambus, a global chip and IP provider that advances data center connectivity and solves the bottleneck between memory and processing. Cliff has over 20 years of experience leading global human resources operations for publicly traded companies with expertise in employee relations, organizational development, and compensation strategy. Prior to Rambus, Cliff worked for several other high-tech companies in the semiconductor and medical device space and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Marketing from Texas State University and a master’s degree in Human Resources Management and Organization Development from the University of Texas at Austin.

Memo Morantes

Memo Morantes has been a San Mateo County resident for more than 45 years. He has been a three-term San Mateo County Board of Education incumbent, a Redwood City/San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce board member, a Sequoia Hospital Foundation member, a co-chair of the Latino Leadership Council of San Mateo, and a civic/community activist.

Sheryl Young

Sheryl serves as a director for Philanthropic Ventures Foundation, which provides $10M each year for innovative teachers and social entrepreneurs throughout the Bay Area. Prior Sheryl served as CEO of Community Gatepath and AbilityPath.org. She has over 30 years of managerial experience in operations, finance, and marketing. Young is a graduate of the Stanford University Graduate School of Business Executive Program for Non-Profit Leaders, earned an M.A. of Public Health from UC Berkeley, an M.A. in Special Education from Ball State University and a B.A. in Political Science from Purdue University.

Brian Schumacker

Brian manages South San Francisco-San Bruno’s wastewater treatment plant and with a dedicated staff of over 40 professionals who safeguard community health and protect the fragile San Francisco Bay ecosystem. Brian holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration, both from Notre Dame de Namur University. Brian has also earned the highest levels of professional certifications in wastewater treatment.

Mario Rendon

Mario Rendon serves as District Director for State Assemblymember Kevin Mullin. He develops the communications, public relations and constituent service strategy for the office and supervises a small team that represents Mr. Mullin in the 22nd Assembly District within San Mateo County. He has over twenty year’s experience working with elected officials at the local, state and federal level developing public policy.

Jerry Hill

Jerry’s public service started with his local neighborhood association that progressed to the California State Assembly and Senate where he authored legislation resulting in laws on issues related to consumer protection, utility safety, coastal protection, public health, education and the environment. Jerry was born and raised in San Francisco, receiving his BA from the University of California, Berkeley and a Teaching Credential from San Francisco State University.

Magda Gonzalez

Magda was most recently the City Manager for the City of Half Moon Bay, California. Prior she was the City Manager of East Palo Alto, California and Assistant City Manager, Redwood City. Magda was President of Cal-ICMA, representing the Local Government Hispanic Network and serves on the Board of Directors for the San Mateo Credit Union and the Latino Leadership Council of San Mateo County. Magda is also a member of ICMA and the State Bar of California and received several awards and recognitions, including Career Excellence Award (WLG) and the Ethical Hero Award from Cal-ICMA.

Jeremy Dennis

Jeremy currently serves as Portola Valley Town Manager. Previously, he’s worked for elected officials at all governance levels, including twice as District Director for local assemblymembers. He worked as the Palo Alto Long Range Planning Director, and for San Mateo County in management roles. Jeremy has a Masters in Urban Planning from the London School of Economics, and graduated from UC Davis studying US History/Political Science.

Kate Comfort-Harr

Kate is Executive Director of HIP Housing, a nonprofit specializing in creative affordable housing solutions throughout San Mateo County. Kate is a frequent speaker on a wide array of affordable housing topics and is passionate about the cultivation of collaborations between the private, public and social sectors. She serves on the Board of Directors for the San Mateo Credit Union and was awarded the Chamber San Mateo County’s 2020 Business Woman of the Year Award.

Jeff Cox

Program Director for Master of Public Administration

Jerome Nadel

Jerome Nadel is Internationally experienced design-led marketing executive (CMO and GM) with a track record of improved market position, revenue growth, and M&A. He is an advance degreed psychologist and user experience product/service design expert, board member and advisor. Jerome recently retired from Rambus as where he was CMO and GM of the security software division that he led the sale to Visa. He has had a variety of chief marketing officer and chief user experience officer roles at companies including Human Factors International, SLP InfoWare, Gemplus, and Sagem. He started his career in the IBM Human Factors Labs. He is also an avid cyclist with National and multiple California State Champion titles.