Monae Roberts, MA, has been appointed the first chief diversity officer at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine.
Roberts will assist with the school’s outreach program and support its students, staff and faculty, said Karl E. Jandrey, the associate dean of admissions and student programs.
Roberts previously directed the UC Davis LGBTQIA Resource Center and was a program coordinator at the Cross Cultural Center.
“Diversity, equity and inclusion is my calling and passion,” Roberts said. “It’s important for me to create positive change in the world, and with a supportive team, I feel I can do that here.
“If we don’t take risks, then we will stay stagnant. This school didn’t get to No. 1 by staying stagnant, and my hope is to be here to hold your hand and move forward together.”
The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine appointed DEI leaders in 2021. In addition, the American Veterinary Medical Association appointed Latonia Craig, Ed.D., as its chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer in May 2022.
The veterinary profession is about 90% white.
Roberts expressed interest in a K-12 outreach program to expose underrepresented communities to veterinary medicine careers.
“This position is the perfect intersection of things I enjoy,” Roberts said. “Right now, it’s about listening and gathering as much information as possible to see where we can go.”