People of Pacific recently stopped by the Intercultural Student Success (ISS) office to chat with director Mario Enriquez. He told us about his journey from Pacific student to working with LGBTQ politicians in Washington, D.C. to finding himself back on campus at Pacific as the new ISS director.   

We asked Mario about his favorite memories on campus (including his very own “Sasha Fierce” moment outside the Janet Leigh Theatre), his hopes for the future of ISS and why students should check out the space.  

Congrats on your new role as director of Intercultural Student Success here at Pacific! How has it been so far?  

Thank you! It’s been fantastic. It’s a lot different from being a student, even from being an alumnus. It’s now about actively being on campus and really thinking about ways that I can support student life and the greater Pacific community. And taking a step back to realize what my Pacific experience was like and what I want to give to the students, the new generation of Pacific Tigers.  

What are your goals for Intercultural Student Success?

I want ISS to be the leader on campus for not just students, but also for the entire university staff, faculty and the leadership to show that we are the ones leading the efforts in convening students of different intersectional identities. As we’re slowly coming out of this pandemic and how we’ve seen the world change and all these issues that are happening politically in the country, from anti-trans legislation to AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders) hate, there are a lot of things that are affecting our communities. And with ISS, I really see us being the thought leaders that are bringing all these different groups together.

Do you have anything that you would like to share with students who may not be familiar with ISS?

The space is yours to utilize how you see fit. If you want to bring students together for a meeting for a particular discussion, if you want to plug in movies to our TV sets, even if you just need a place to relax and unwind after a stressful day, the space is yours.

What first inspired you to get involved in issues of diversity, equity and inclusion?  

For me, it’s always been personal. Coming from a low-income area—I’m from Lathrop—my parents struggled. Being part of Success TRiO and interacting with CIP (Community Involvement Program) students, I got to really get to know folks that were low-income and first-generation. And all these similarities with people that I was interacting with day-to-day really motivated me and activated me to get involved on campus and in the community.

And I give thanks to Pacific. It was really during these four years that I really got to apply what I was learning, not just in the classroom but in the community, and also the different clubs I was involved in here on campus. 

Can you tell us more about your experience as a Pacific student?

I had an incredible four years on campus. I lived in The Quad and I was actively involved all throughout campus. And I think for me—which is why I’m so committed to this university—when they talk about student-centered learning and campus environment, they mean it. 

I am a true testament to that. I’m a product of that learning environment and the support that I had over my four years. I was everywhere on campus, you name it: student life, I was part of Greek life, I was one of the first building managers for the DUC (DeRosa University Center) when we opened in 2008 and I was a RA (resident assistant) for a couple of years. I had several leadership positions on campus just everywhere, left and right.

Do you have any favorite memories from your time on campus as an undergrad?

I was always trying to find a way to channel all my energy into campus. I was selected president of the United Cultural Council, which was, at the time, the governing council that oversaw all the culturally based student organizations on campus. And they wanted us to do a big party on campus. We had a mini stage outside Janet Leigh Theater, and we hooked up a microphone and I was the emcee. 

There was something about that night. There was this energy, and something just came over me. It was like Beyoncé and Sasha Fierce. It was like my Sasha Fierce took over and I just had this great energy. And I think that moment, I just felt really connected to the students and what we were doing: getting the word out about the importance of diversity and why students of different backgrounds should be reflected on campus.  

After you graduated from Pacific, your career path took you to Washington, D.C., where you worked as director of domestic programs at the LGBTQ Victory Institute. What led you to this opportunity and what was the experience like?

I reconnected with a mentor of mine who I worked with years ago and he gave me the opportunity to work for the LGBTQ Victory Institute and to be able to work in the queer political space, which was something that I never thought I would do just because I didn’t think there was a job like that. 

In my position, I got to interact with state representatives and mayors and council members, and coming from the Central Valley, I felt even more connected to the elected officials who come from more conservative areas that aren’t as progressive to the LGBTQ community. They were heroes and inspired me to do the work.  So, I had an amazing four years at Victory. 

How does it feel to be able to take those experiences and bring them back to the Pacific and inspire students?

I was always committed to doing everything and learning everything that I could to eventually bring it back to my community. I knew that with everything that I was doing along the way, I would eventually come back and provide that lived experience.

I think we need people of all kinds of experiences. We need people on the ground that have been here for decades with their expertise. We also need people that can go out into the world and come back, and then have those groups collaborate. I think that’s where the real change happens, because you’re bringing all these experiences together and saying what works and what doesn’t and providing solutions to the community. 

Intercultural Student Success is home to Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Desi Student Success, Black Student Success, LatinX and Native American Success, the Gender Equity Center, and the Pride Resource Center. You can learn more about ISS, or contact the office at iss@pacific.edu.

Black Student Success is a center at University of the Pacific and part of the university community’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. It provides resources and events for Black students as well as a way for its members to bond. The Black Student Success (BSS) center is a branch of the Intercultural Student Success center which works to build safe spaces on campus for students from historically marginalized communities.  

“Black Student Success is a way for Black and African-American students to know they have a space and a place for them,” said Director of Intercultural Student Success Mario Enriquez ’10. “That community should feel supported, not only academically but socially as well.”  

History and purpose

Black students founded the center five years ago after they noticed a lack of university resources and programs for their community. Those students, with the support of the university, have worked to develop Black Student Success to what it is today. 

BSS offers a variety of events including game nights and movie viewing parties. The center also hosts educational seminars covering topics relevant to the Black community. Past seminars include “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man,” “Blacks in Technology” and “Burning Down of Black Wall Street.” The conversations are open to anyone and are often controversial in order to open the room to more opinions and thoughts.   

“It makes you feel like you’re not the only one,” said Carina Carey ’23, a Media X and Japanese double-major. She joined BSS as a first-year student. “Everyone there has got your back and there are so many resources that make you feel like home.”     

“I would recommend students to participate, you get to meet students that have something in common with you, you are part of a community. We have fun with more people and you will always feel welcomed at events.”      

Home away from home

Kathy English has been the coordinator of the Black Student Success for a year and a half. She organizes events and seminars for BSS based on member feedback.

“Many students will come in for curiosity, so I try to make it homey and give them their own place,” English said. “It grows into fellowship and camaraderie amongst the students.”   

English offers this advice to Black students: “People can be overlooked. Stand up for yourself, have your own voice and be heard, make sure no one looks over you or forgets about you.”   

The Black Student Success center is open from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday and is located in Price House in the Quads. For more information, contact Kathy English at kenglish@pacific.edu. Check out the Black Student Success Instagram @bssatpacific.

Each February, the United States observes Black History Month, an annual celebration honoring African American history and heritage. Black History Month is an opportunity to learn about the adversities and triumphs of African Americans, as well as a reminder to celebrate Black history and confront racial injustice year-round.  

Pacific’s Black History Month Planning Committee has planned many different programs for the Pacific community to celebrate this month, including renowned speakers, panel discussions, films and even a free health clinic and gospel concert led by the faculty and staff from the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy in partnership with local health organizations.

“It is always exciting to present Black History Month events to the community,” said Randall Ogans, Black History Month Planning Committee co-chair. “It is a reflection of many months of hard work the planning committee has put in and our contribution to moving the university’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives forward.”

We’ve rounded up some events you won’t want to miss here, all of which are free and available to the entire Pacific community. You can check out the full list of programming here.

From a Yardie to a Yankee

In this one-woman play, actress, writer, comedian and producer Sardia Robinson tells her life’s story, from navigating life in Kingston, Jamaica to the struggles she faced after immigrating to Chicago. The performance will be held at the Long Theater on February 17 from 5-7:00 p.m.

Syracuse 8: Level the Playing Field

The Syracuse 8, student athletes and members of the Syracuse University football team, boycotted the 1970 football season to demand an end to racial discrimination within the football program. They will be in conversation with Pacific alumnus Andrew Thomas ‘90, at Faye Spanos Concert Hall on February 22 from 7-9:00 p.m. 

Health Fair and Gospelfest

Pharmacy faculty and students will facilitate a comprehensive, service-based health fair providing free health screenings and COVID-19 vaccinations. The health fair will be held at Victory in Praise Church from 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m on February 26, followed by a gospel concert at the same location at 7:00 p.m. The concert will be headlined by critically acclaimed musicians Red Hands and Anita Wilson.

Christina Elmore: Black Stories Matter

Christina Elmore is a film, television and theater performer who now stars as Maria on BET’s Twenties. Elmore has also appeared in many other roles, including Condola on the HBO series, Insecure. She received her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and an MFA in acting from American Conservatory Theater. Elmore will speak about her experiences in entertainment industry at the Faye Spanos Concert Hall on February 28 from 7-9:00 p.m.