Sharon Velarde Pierce appreciates the evident diversity across students, faculty and staff members. As a professor of public administration, Velarde Pierce believes that a wide range of customs, cultures and social economic backgrounds in the classroom have the power to expand a student's education. Through experiencing a diverse environment, students are led toward greater awareness and understanding of our world.

For Velarde Pierce, diversity is understanding each student's unique experiences and valuing their strengths. Even as a facilitator of knowledge, she is still learning from her students each and every day so she may be well equipped to aid them in pursuing successful futures.

Diversity is a vital part of CSUSB and we are proud to represent various backgrounds, thoughts and experiences.