Emelyn dela Pena

Emelyn Agnes dela Peña is a prominent figure in higher education with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). She served as the Associate Vice Provost for Inclusion, Community and Integrative Learning at Stanford University from 2019 to 2022.12 In this role, she embedded ethical leadership and equity principles in student engagement, transformed key policies and practices in student affairs, and led campus-wide efforts to support DEI programs and initiatives.12

Prior to her position at Stanford, dela Peña held several notable roles in other prestigious institutions:

1. Inaugural Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion at Washington University in St. Louis.12
2. Inaugural Assistant Dean for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Assistant Dean of Student Life at Harvard College.12

On December 1, 2021, dela Peña was appointed as the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), with her first day in the new role on January 10, 2022.23

Education and Achievements

Emelyn dela Peña's educational background includes:

• Doctor of Education from a joint program through the University of California, San Diego; San Diego State University; and California State University, San Marcos.12
• Master's degree in postsecondary educational leadership from San Diego State University.12
• Bachelor's degree in ethnic studies from UC San Diego.12

Her work has been recognized with several awards, including:

• Harvard University Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean's Distinction Award.12
• UC San Diego Diversity Champion Award (received three times: 2001, 2006, and 2010).12

Throughout her 26-year career in higher education, dela Peña has been dedicated to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion scholarship and practice. Her approach involves encountering understanding across multiple identities and experiences while remaining committed to anti-racist principles.2