In the ever-evolving landscape of higher education, creating inclusive and sustainable environments for all students remains a critical challenge. As the winds of change blow through the halls of City, one voice continues to stand at the forefront of advocating for inclusivity, diversity, and systemic transformation: Claudia Diaz Carrasco’s. With years of experience navigating various roles in education and community-based work, Diaz Carrasco’s message is clear—change is not only necessary, it is possible, but it requires intentionality, a collective effort, and a shared language.

Early in her career, Diaz Carrasco worked with the former secretary of Minnesota's state government, Ms. Burke Murphy, a role that had a profound impact on her understanding of the intersection between policy, education, and community. She collaborated on initiatives that aimed to improve access to higher education for marginalized populations and worked on strategies to dismantle systemic inequalities. Her experience allowed her to see firsthand how policies could drive change or perpetuate disparities, and it reinforced her commitment to using her position in academia to create environments where all students feel valued and empowered.

Diaz Carrasco’s leadership journey has not being easy, yet her journey has equipped her with a broad perspective on the ways institutions can serve as powerful agents of social transformation. Diaz Carrasco was born in Mexico, her humble upbring has motivated her journey and the pressing need for educational systems to meet the needs of diverse and marginalized communities. Her work has centered around creating an environment where all students feel seen, heard, and empowered to thrive. Yet, she acknowledges that achieving inclusivity within educational institutions comes with its own set of challenges.

The most significant of these challenges, Diaz explains, is defining a "common language" for all involved—students, faculty, staff, and administrators alike. A common language that goes beyond mere unity, she explains, needs to reflect a shared understanding of the nuanced needs of diverse student populations. From those who speak multiple languages to individuals with different educational backgrounds, a collective approach to inclusivity requires a deep, personal awareness of how language shapes and reinforces culture.

“People need to be self-aware and recognize that we all come from different backgrounds. We need to foster a space where we are united not by a shared experience, but by the mutual understanding that everyone’s experience is valuable,” Diaz says. This understanding, she argues, is essential for creating environments where both students and staff can grow together, despite their differences.

Building this unity, however, is only part of the equation. Diaz emphasizes the importance of creating sustainable systems within institutions that ensure diversity and inclusivity are not fleeting goals, but long-term commitments. “Leadership changes, programs evolve, but the systems we build should be strong enough to outlast any individual tenure,” Diaz explains. Her experience at the University of California, where she worked for over a decade, demonstrates the power of creating infrastructure that can continue to serve diverse communities even in the absence of its creator.

“Many educational programs are not sustainable because they fail to establish processes that allow others to take over. This is where we fall short,” Diaz says. “Creating sustainable change requires systems that allow future leaders to continue the work we’ve started.” The lack of this continuity is a significant barrier, especially in community colleges, where turnover is frequent and the need for support systems is crucial.

At the heart of Diaz Carrasco’s work is the understanding that change doesn’t happen overnight. It's a continuous process that requires patience, resilience, and, above all, hope. "Hope remains at the center of everything I do," Diaz Carrasco says. Even in the face of challenges and obstacles, Diaz Carrasco keeps her focus on building a space where all students, especially those from marginalized communities, feel they belong.

Diaz Carrasco’s perspective comes from a deeply personal place. As a Latina, she has navigated systemic barriers in her own life, including the cultural complexities that often arise in both professional and personal spaces. “I don’t want to just work in higher education. I want to change it,” she declares. Her work is driven by a passion for dismantling the power structures that perpetuate exclusion and inequality within the educational system.

While Diaz Carrasco’s journey is far from over, she is steadfast in her belief that the road to real, meaningful change is one that must be walked with others. “It’s not about the work I do alone, it’s about the collective effort of every person involved,” Diaz Carrasco concludes. "Together, we can build a better system, a system that truly represents the diversity of our communities and empowers all students to succeed."

As the conversation about inclusivity and diversity in higher education continues to evolve, Diaz Carrasco remains planting hope in those around her, reminding us all that systemic change is possible when we work together, create sustainable systems, and commit to building a future where every student, regardless of background, feels they have a place to thrive. This March 2025, on International Women’s Day, we honor Claudia Diaz Carrasco for her unwavering dedication and transformative impact here at City.