Equity and Inclusion

Over the past two years, St. John’s University has taken several steps to honor our pledge to promote antiracism and ensure that our community is a place of belonging and inclusion where all members feel welcome. As we continue to witness the senseless acts of injustice, racial hostility, and pain across our country, the sense of urgency and need to align all facets of St. John’s with our standing principles are ever the more urgent.

To that end, I am pleased to share that the Board of Trustees voted at its meeting on February 15—in recognition of the newly established Office of Equity and Inclusion—that a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee would be formed as part of its accountability structure. This group will be at the forefront of the Board’s ongoing efforts to promote antiracism and a diverse and inclusive University community.

We all know nothing much happens without leadership—and ensuring diverse, inclusive, and equitable practices is no different. In fact, leaders on these issues need to exemplify what is being asked of others: authenticity, courage, curiosity, humility, introspection, self-awareness, and vulnerability, to name a few characteristics. Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., President, and William J. Janetschek ’84CBA, ’17HON, Board Chair, will visibly support this work and serve as members of the committee.

Chaired by Board member Tarik S. Turner ’98C, the DEI Committee is charged to

1. support and monitor the University’s key strategic efforts related to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion goals;
2. advise the Board of Trustees about emerging issues and the activities and resources associated with meeting the University’s diversity, equity, and inclusion goals;
3. oversee the development and implementation of educational programming related to racism—especially issues of structural or systemic racism in the United States—and its continuing effects within higher education and the University; and
4. monitor the demographics and working conditions of employees; the enrollment and educational climate of students; and, at least annually, review reports on the demographics of University students, faculty, administrators, and staff.

The current members of the DEI Committee are

• Stephon Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, CFI Partners, LLC
• Carl A. Beckett ’93SVC, Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Division, US Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice
• Robert J. Cruz ’96SVC, Senior Vice President, National Branch Officer, Director of Field Operations, Starr Companies
• Pascal Desroches ’86CBA, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, AT&T, Inc.
• Rose F. DiMartino, Esq. ’81L, Partner (retired), Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
• Barbara Donnellan ’79C, ’81G, Vice Chair, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, St. John’s University, and Chief Executive Officer, Castle Gray Associates LLC
• Very Rev. Stephen M. Grozio, Provincial Vice Chair of the Board, Provincial Superior, Eastern Province of the Congregation of the Mission
• Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M., Ed.D., President, Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities
• William J. Janetschek ’84CBA, ’17HON, Chair, Board of Trustees, St. John’s University, and Retired Partner and Chief Financial Officer, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P.
• Margaret M. Keane ’81C, 87MBA, ’19HON, Elected Vice Chair, Board of Trustees, St. John’s University, and Executive Chair, Board of Directors, Synchrony
• Teresa Mason, Esq. ’79SVC, ’02HON, Chief of Staff (retired), Office of the Bronx District Attorney
• Lewis Rice Jr. ’74SVC, Senior Vice President of Global Security and Trademark Protection, Estée Lauder Companies, Inc.
• Michael Roemer ’84CBA, Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer, Discover Financial Services
• Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., President, St. John’s University
• James J. Shannon ’87CBA, Partner and Chief Executive Officer, Indus Capital Partners, LLC
• Tarik S. Turner ’98C, Chair, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, St. John’s University, and Managing Director, Institutional Equities, AllianceBernstein L.P.
• Catherine M. Verrelli ’00CBA, ’01MBA, Office Managing Partner, Business Tax Services, Ernst & Young, LLP

I look forward to advancing this important work on behalf of the University with the Board.

As many of you know, June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, commemorating the first Pride protest which was led outside the Stonewall Inn in New York in 1969.

There are a variety of ways to celebrate Pride this year, with many events resuming in person. For anyone looking to get involved in a meaningful way—from parades to 5ks to social action—the University’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) has compiled a Pride Month 2022 Resource Guide as a helpful starting point.

In addition, a prerecorded webinar is available on the EAP member website, www.myccaonline.com (company code: stjohns). Titled “#PrideIncluded: LGBTQIA+ Inclusivity and Equity,” the session encourages participants to explore their roles in promoting inclusion and acceptance in the community and the workplace.

As we celebrate Pride, we also acknowledge the challenges that the LGBTQIA+ community continues to face today. We encourage the LGBTQIA+ members of our St. John’s community to practice self-care and surround yourselves with people who love you, believe in you, cheer for you, and listen to you. However you choose to honor Pride Month, we hope your celebrations are safe and meaningful.

The Transgender Training Institute conducted an LGBTQ+ climate assessment. Read their final report online as well as the accompanying message from Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P.