To: The Gonzaga University Community
From: Matt Lamsma, Dean of Student Engagement, Student Development
Date: May 31, 2017
Subject: Assistant Dean for Diversity, Inclusion, and Cultural Engagement - Hiring Announcement
I am pleased to announce that Joan Iva Fawcett has accepted the position of Assistant Dean for Diversity, Inclusion, and Cultural Engagement. Joan Iva joins Gonzaga University after serving in various capacities at the University of California, Berkeley including the Director of Student Government Advising and Leadership Programs and the interim Assistant Dean of Students and Director of the LEAD Center. Prior to her time at Berkeley, Ms. Fawcett was the Director of the Intercultural Center at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California. At St. Mary’s College, Joan Iva was a member of the Provost’s College Committee on Inclusive Excellence, the Hispanic Serving Institution Task Force, and founded the student Diversity Organization Council. She received her Master of Arts in Asian Pacific American Studies and Creative Writing from New York University and a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Writing from the University of California, San Diego.
Working out of the Division of Student Development, the Assistant Dean will serve as a thought leader and strategist in promoting diversity and inclusion at Gonzaga University. Joan Iva will be responsible for animating the collective wisdom, resources, and passion of the staff in the Unity Multicultural Education Center (UMEC) and the Lincoln LGBTQ+ Resource Center. By focusing on three the strategic goals of student identity development, student support, and campus education and awareness, the Assistant Dean upholds the University’s mission and promise of the holistic development of all students, in particular to “foster a mature commitment to the dignity of the human person, social justice, diversity, intercultural competence, global engagement, solidarity with the poor and vulnerable, and care for the planet.”
I want to thank the search committee and members of the Gonzaga campus community that thoughtfully engaged with each of the finalists for this position. We are excited to welcome Joan Iva Fawcett to Gonzaga University. Her first day on campus will be July 12, 2017.