This week I have had the singular honor of being selected to serve as the UCLA Wasserman Dean of the UCLA School of Education and Information Studies. I am truly humbled by the trust vested in me. At the same time, I am excited about the challenges and possibilities that lay ahead, and our potential to accomplish great things together. As our K-12 schools and public libraries begin to re-open, we look forward with hope and optimism to the end of this devastating pandemic.
There is so much for us to do especially for our most vulnerable children and families whose plight has been made so visible during this past year. I remain deeply inspired by the work of our Education and Information faculty, students, and staff towards alleviating this plight and contributing to creating more equitable opportunities for all, now and in the future.
As we begin this journey, I can think of nothing more important in my first message to you than to speak out against the discrimination, hate, and acts of violence that we are witnessing across the nation – and to commit our school to steadfastly fight and struggle against racism wherever it is found. We are appalled by the alarming rise in violence against Asians and Asian-Americans. The Stop AAPI Hate Reporting Center has recorded some 3,800 hate incidents against Asians or Pacific Islanders from last March to this past February. This is unacceptable. The UCLA School of Education and Information Studies is united in its opposition to these horrific incidents of hate and racism and we join with UCLA Chancellor Block and UC President Drake in condemning them.
But we must do more. We must strive to better understand the traumatic impact of hate and racism and the fear it has caused in our society and to build stronger, more inclusive bonds of support that address the educational needs, well-being, and life success of our Asian American and Pacific Islander community, our Black community, our Latinx community, and others who have been targets of hate. The School of Education and Information Studies is home to nationally renowned experts focused on issues of equity and justice for all citizens. As a first priority, we are moving forward immediately on expanding this important work towards greater parity and justice for our most underserved communities.
Thank you for being a vital part of this community of caring professionals. I very much look forward to working with all of you in my new role as UCLA Wasserman Dean and to making a truly meaningful and lasting impact for human well-being as we continue into this 2020s decade.
My best, Tina