The Center for Diversity & Inclusion facilitates discussions and programs with students that promote the principles of equity, inclusion, access and social justice.
Our staff also advises several student organization affinity groups as well as the Diversity Peer Educators. We offer both new and traditional initiatives, social programming, and student trainings that help develop multicultural competencies.
As an advocate for students, the Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion collaborates with campus partners, such as Student Affairs, the Division of Student Success, Counseling, Health & Wellness, Disability Services, and the Interfaith Center. We also work closely with the Center for Community Engagement and other campus groups to help students engage with the local community and enhance their global perspective.
Training and Resources
More information about Training and ResourcesThe Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion proudly provides social justice education through a series of trainings and workshops that explore identity, allyship, multicultural competencies, and more. Included in this training is a program for Diversity Peer Educators (DPEs).
Bias Incidents
More information about Bias IncidentsSuffolk's Policy Against Bias Incidents and Hate Crimes affirms that bias incidents and hate crimes have no place at the University and will not be tolerated.
Our Staff
The Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion's staff members are available for students who want to discuss concerns such as adjusting to campus, personal matters, academic progress, or career planning.
We encourage students to get in touch whether or not they need specific help. Staff members are also available to consult with students, student leaders, faculty, and staff on diversity-related issues.
Who We Are
Beatriz Patiño, Director
Bea (she, her, hers, ella) is new to the Suffolk community. She identifies as a Latinx, Mexican/Puerto Rican American, First Generation College student born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Central Falls, RI. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Human Development from Connecticut College and Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Assumption College. Prior to Suffolk Bea worked in Undergraduate Admissions as the Coordinator for Multi-Cultural Recruitment and just before that as the Director of the Cross Cultural Center at Assumption College.
She also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Paraguay, South America as an Urban Youth Development Volunteer. In these roles her primary focus was to support, advocate, mentor, and provide opportunities for access to underrepresented student populations. Her passions includes helping students of color, women of color, and first-gen students navigate, challenge, and excel in predominately white spaces and systems. When Bea is not at work you can catch her spending time with her family & friends usually over a meal, baking cookies that she brings in for the students to taste test, listening to a podcast which usually leads to laughing or crying on a train, relieving stress at the gym on a treadmill, or watching the latest documentary on Netflix.