On Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access
As a bilingual, first-generation gay Mexican-American that comes from poverty, I am always conscious of the need to create an even playing field for all students, regardless of background or ability. In my current part-time position at UCLA Extension (since 2015), more than 60% of our students are international. I’ve learned to approach diversity by offering all students the chance to study/play everything while also clarifying that there is a difference between training/study and performance/professional aspects. It is also noted that we are tasked to eradicate this difference by writing, creating, and producing diverse stories for a diverse nation. I also like to approach diversity by specifically asking my diverse students, “what stories do you want to tell.”
Throughout my life and career, I have had positive interactions with a wide range of students, colleagues, and community members from varying academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, gender, non-binary, and ethnic backgrounds Therefore, I have the understanding and experience to be sensitive to the various concerns and opportunities that arise from the convergence of a diverse population. For example, in a past Advanced Acting for The Camera class at UCLA Extension, my students were born in the following places; Brazil, Colombia, France, Germany, Greece, India, Pakistan, Peru, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and the USA (LA, San Francisco, Las Vegas).
In my classes, everyone’s culture, background, and identity are not only respected, but celebrated.
In short, as a vastly diverse and intersectional individual, I hold myself to the highest standards in student engagement, equity, diversity, inclusion, access, and institutional success. In fact, I am not only experienced and comfortable working with a diverse student, staff, and faculty population, but I thrive in it.
As a bilingual, first-generation gay Mexican-American that comes from poverty, I am always conscious of the need to create an even playing field for all students, regardless of background or ability. In my current part-time position at UCLA Extension (since 2015), more than 60% of our students are international. I’ve learned to approach diversity by offering all students the chance to study/play everything while also clarifying that there is a difference between training/study and performance/professional aspects. It is also noted that we are tasked to eradicate this difference by writing, creating, and producing diverse stories for a diverse nation. I also like to approach diversity by specifically asking my diverse students, “what stories do you want to tell.”
Throughout my life and career, I have had positive interactions with a wide range of students, colleagues, and community members from varying academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, gender, non-binary, and ethnic backgrounds Therefore, I have the understanding and experience to be sensitive to the various concerns and opportunities that arise from the convergence of a diverse population. For example, in a past Advanced Acting for The Camera class at UCLA Extension, my students were born in the following places; Brazil, Colombia, France, Germany, Greece, India, Pakistan, Peru, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and the USA (LA, San Francisco, Las Vegas).
In my classes, everyone’s culture, background, and identity are not only respected, but celebrated.
In short, as a vastly diverse and intersectional individual, I hold myself to the highest standards in student engagement, equity, diversity, inclusion, access, and institutional success. In fact, I am not only experienced and comfortable working with a diverse student, staff, and faculty population, but I thrive in it.
CURRENT CERTIFICATIONS
- Certified to train faculty, staff, and students as LGBTQIA+ SafeZones through The SafeZone Initiative
- Certified as an UndocuAlly for undocumented students through The Dream Project at Santa Monica College
- Certified as an Intimacy Captain through Intimacy Coordinators of Color
EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION TRAINING & WORKSHOPS
- Equitizing Gateway Courses, - Webinar – Santa Monica College, trained to facilitate and implement culturally-responsive, antiracist, and trauma informed pedagogies – Santa Monica, California (August 2021)
- UndocuAlly Training, - Webinar – Santa Monica College, certified as an Ally for undocumented students – Santa Monica, California (March 2021)
- Inclusivity and Theatre: Strategies for Teaching and Practice, - Webinar – Black Theatre Network, ATHA, and Digital Theatre Plus – Los Angeles, California (March 2021)
- Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity Workshops with Visions, Inc., - Webinar – Pomona College Theatre Department – Claremont, California (October | August | December 2020 | January | February 2021)
- GROW workshop series, - Webinar – The Accountable History Network – Claremont, California (February 2021)
- Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion: How Can We Be Part of the Solution? - Webinar – The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences – Los Angeles, California (December 2020)
- Brave Space: Inclusive Intimacy Practice for Stage, - Webinar – Intimacy Coordinators of Color (ICOD) – Van Nuys, California (November 2020)
- LGBTQ+ SafeZone Certification, - Webinar – Santa Monica College, certified as a SafeZone and SafeZone trainer – Santa Monica, California (November 2020)
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Interactive Media Industry, - Webinar – Academy of Television Arts and Sciences – Performance Peer Group – Los Angeles, California (August 2020)
- Teaching in Crisis: Disruption and Identity, - Webinar – National Alliance of Acting Teachers – Los Angeles, California (June 2020)
- Trans Visibility in Storytelling: The Power of TV, Television Academy of Arts and Sciences – North Hollywood, California (August 2019)
- Black, Latino, and Asian voices in Improv: Bringing new perspectives to The Second City Stage, The Second City – Chicago, Illinois (November 2009)
- Casting Call: Diverse Actors Strongly Encouraged to Improvise, The Second City – Chicago, Illinois (November 2008)