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
The 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).
More information about Training and Resources
Bias Incidents
Suffolk'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.
More information about Bias Incidents
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.
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Beatriz Patiño, Director
Bea (she, her, hers, ella) joined the Suffolk community in 2018. She was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Central Falls, RI and identifies as a Latine, Mexican/Puerto Rican American, and First Generation College student. 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 Summer Bridge Programs at College of the Holy Cross, 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 and minoritized student populations.
She is dedicated to empowering 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 delicious meal, 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, Hulu, Prime, or HBOmax.
Maria Junco, Associate Director
Maria (she, her, hers, ella) joined the Suffolk community in 2022. She identifies as a Colombian and First Generation College student who immigrated to the United States at the age of six. Maria received her Bachelor's in Psychology and Political Science, with a minor in Latin American Studies, from the University of Connecticut, and her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies: Higher Education Administration from Boston University. After her Bachelor’s, Maria served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member and worked at a local college in Boston where she helped raise retention rates among Latinx students and other underrepresented groups.
Maria’s passion for higher education was shaped by her involvement at UConn’s Puerto Rican/Latin American Cultural Center (PRLACC) where she served as a coordinator for a peer mentoring program.
Maria joined Suffolk as Assistant Director of Student Leadership & Involvement. She also advised commuter ambassadors and supported the continued growth of the commuter student program.
As a Colombian immigrant, the college experience was challenging and transformative for Maria. She is committed to supporting, advocating for, mentoring, and creating meaningful opportunities for students from historically underrepresented communities.
When Maria is not at work, you can find her spending time with her beautifully blended family, painting, reading (always open to recommendations!), or exploring new restaurants.