The University Committee for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has selected three faculty recipients of the Champion of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion award: professors Fei-Lin Hsiao, Camille Norton and Rachael Salcido. 

The award recognizes extraordinary people who are champions of DEI and embody all of University of the Pacific’s values.
“The Champion of DEI award symbolizes the highest accomplishment in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion at Pacific.

What a great achievement for all of our recipients,” said Department of Communications Professor and UCDEI Co-Chair Qingwen Dong.

The awards will be presented in the fall or when it is safe to do so in person.

Fei-Lin Hsiao 

Hsiao is an associate professor of music therapy and program director for music therapy on Pacific's San Francisco Campus. She joined the Conservatory of Music in 2006. 

“Dr. Hsiao is an exemplary faculty member who integrates diversity, equity and inclusion in all areas of her work,” wrote Associate Professor Steve Perdicaris, who nominated her for the award. “For example, in the graduate course ‘Contemporary Issues in Music Education & Music Therapy,’ she designed projects to guide students to think reflexively in order to explore their own intersectional identities and to reflect on the development of intercultural sensitivity.”

Hsiao also initiated a project to enhance faculty competence in strategies designed to foster academic success for students with disabilities.

“I am honored to be a recipient of the Champion of Diversity and Inclusion award, and I am grateful to be at a university that considers diversity and inclusion as an essential institutional mission,” Hsiao said. “On the journey toward cultural humility, we are all seekers of knowledge. I hope to bring my experiences and passions to enrich our educational environment and workplace.”

Camille Norton

Norton joined the Pacific faculty in 1994 and is a professor in the Department of English. She teaches courses in poetry, gender studies and critical theory.

“For the past 15 years, Professor Norton has actively participated in the annual poetry readings and speakers events organized by the Ethnic Studies Program for Black History Month, Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Latinx Heritage Month, and Native American Heritage Month,” wrote nominating Professor Xiaojing Zhou.

Norton’s community volunteer work includes St. Mary’s Dining Room, where she teaches a poetry class.

“I am honored to have been nominated for my work leading a poetry class at St. Mary’s Dining Room. I accept the award on behalf of my poetry students at St. Mary’s and my remarkable friends and colleagues who work so tirelessly on behalf of poor and homeless people in our community,” Norton said. “Mercedes Moreno in social services, Catherine Lytel and Margaret Eccleston at the Enrichment Center at St. Mary’s Dining Room, and Dan Kasser, emeritus professor of art, were central to the life of our Poor Poets project. I share this honor with them.”

Rachael Salcido

Salcido is associate dean for diversity initiatives, professor of law and director of the water and environmental certificate of concentration at McGeorge School of Law. She has played a key role in engaging faculty, staff and students in DEI-focused events and activities, including Diversity Week and Unity Graduation. She helped establish the Center for Inclusion and Diversity in 2018.

“Rachael has led every major diversity initiative on campus for the past several years. Most importantly, she has helped lead the effort to open and sustain the Center for Inclusion and Diversity,” wrote nominator Ederlina Co, professor of law. "In 2019, McGeorge hosted its first Unity Graduation, a ceremony celebrating our diverse students and their accomplishments. She was integral to its overwhelming success.”

“I am so grateful to receive this recognition by the UCDEI, which I know to be full of dedicated, creative and indomitable individuals who are themselves elevating DEI issues in their work at the highest levels,” Salcido said. “I feel honored to have had the opportunity to work in this space at Pacific, and to serve the community at McGeorge in particular. It is refreshing to see new energy and focus placed on DEI throughout the university."